Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6a The Gauge of Infinity - ch. 1 Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 01:32:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Bard at Play On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 01:08:54 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007776 After leaving the planning room, Harlock heads for the library. After a few minutes wandering the halls, admiring the decor, he arrives. With a quick check to make sure his pouches are back in order, he opens the door and starts in, then stops dead on the threshold. "By Oghma's bristling beard! This place has more books than Candlekeep!" A slow smile creeps over his face. "I think I'm going to _like_ this group!" At this point an attendant bustles over and asks if he can be of any help. The Bard considers for a moment, then replies. "Thank you. I would like to see a history of the Ansible Guild, if you please. Also, a basic textbook on quantum magic would be much appreciated. If they're available in DiscReader format, so much the better." As the attendant bustles off, Harlock settles himself in a comfortable overstuffed chair and retrieves his DiscReader from the tesseract, then pulls a mandolin out of a pouch and starts idly playing. ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 10:06:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Scoutin' about... On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 08:03:05 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007778 >>>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007692 >>> >>>"There is an Old ten channel unit, >>> On display in a Science Museum, >>> At These {} Coordinates. >>> Some hands on is encouraged..." > >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007711 > >"You could check a one person D-Flyer out from the Carriage House, > Or I will be glad to send a Split with you, > To handle Gate Generation and any needed Equipment, > That you do not already have." "If the D-Flyer is sufficiently idiot-resistant," Rob replies, "I'll take that and a map of the area around the museum. No point in being too obvious, after all." "As for equipment, I shouldn't need anything. Local currency might be nice, though. Enough for a ticket to get in." Rob pauses. "Add a reasonable facsimile of a fairly popular snack food. Something in the starchy-food-with-salt line." "And one last thing...how am I dressed, compared to that universe? Most places I've been, what I'm wearing now is all right, but I've been to a few where I was out of place, either by being unfashionably casual, or being overdressed in the extreme." ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 12:58:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Bard at Play On 10-19-1999 at 12:55:07 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007779 >On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 01:08:54 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007776 > >At this point an attendant bustles over and asks if he can be of any >help. The Bard considers for a moment, then replies. "Thank you. I >would like to see a history of the Ansible Guild, if you please. >Also, a basic textbook on quantum magic would be much appreciated. If >they're available in DiscReader format, so much the better." As the >attendant bustles off, Harlock settles himself in a comfortable >overstuffed chair and retrieves his DiscReader from the tesseract, >then pulls a mandolin out of a pouch and starts idly playing. " I am Sorry Sir, It will take several hours to Compile a History of the Ansible Guild, We are working on it, but Our first references to it were input in the Planning Room recently." " On your other request, Here is the Basic Text, 'Magic a Quantum Mechanic's Perspective', And it's companion Text 'Quantum Mechanics a Mage's Perspective'. There is an ongoing soft rustling noise, If he tracks it down, Harlock will find that the library is being extended, at a rate of 4 or 5 thousand volumes per second... ================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 12:58:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Scoutin' about... On 10-19-1999 at 12:55:08 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007780 >On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 08:03:05 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007778 > >"If the D-Flyer is sufficiently idiot-resistant," Rob replies, "I'll >take that and a map of the area around the museum. No point in being >too obvious, after all." "If you leave the Selector set for Automatic or Smart Pilot Systems, It should be very difficult to get into too much trouble." >"As for equipment, I shouldn't need anything. Local currency might be >nice, though. Enough for a ticket to get in." "Here is a InterRealm Corporate Account card, It might be best to take one of the Sample cases marked "A", From the shelves on the North wall of the Carriage House, I have been manufacturing Combination, Personal DataBank and Palmtop Computers, Funtional in most realms since my first Split arrived, In the Matrix Cosm. The Standard "A" Sample Kit includes, A dozen Models ranging from, The Basic Rolodex Calculator, to Dynamic Interface AI Companions..." >Rob pauses. "Add a reasonable facsimile of a fairly popular snack >food. Something in the starchy-food-with-salt line." "Food Fads change so rapidly that, It might be best to buy something at the snack bar in the museum." >"And one last thing...how am I dressed, compared to that universe? >Most places I've been, what I'm wearing now is all right, but I've >been to a few where I was out of place, either by being unfashionably >casual, or being overdressed in the extreme." "The Museum draws tourists from several Cosms, And is primarily intended to show the wonders of Technology, To inspire the Next generation..., Any mode of Dress is Acceptable." ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 03:35:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Bard at Play On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 03:13:59 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007786 >Nemisis wrote: >" I am Sorry Sir, >It will take several hours to Compile a History of the Ansible Guild, >We are working on it, but >Our first references to it were input in the Planning Room recently." > >" On your other request, >Here is the Basic Text, 'Magic a Quantum Mechanic's Perspective', > And it's companion Text 'Quantum Mechanics a Mage's Perspective'. Harlock frowns. "Well, give me what you have on the Guild so far, then. If I'm to start a whispering campaign, I need to know what to whisper about." He flips through the first few screens of the textbooks, then shakes his head rapidly. "Besides, 'twill give me a break from trying to decipher this mathematical gobbledygook." With that, the Bard settles further back in the chair, pulls a few more discs out of his tesseract, and starts rapidly scrolling through four texts at once: the two texts mentioned above, one labeled "Introduction to Differential Equations," and one labeled "Quantum Mechanics for Dummies." ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 09:17:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Scoutin' about... On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 08:16:13 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007788 >On 10-19-1999 at 12:55:08 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007780 > >>On Tue, 19 Oct 1999 08:03:05 -0700 (PDT) >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007778 >> >>"As for equipment, I shouldn't need anything. Local currency might >>be nice, though. Enough for a ticket to get in." > >"Here is a InterRealm Corporate Account card," Rob takes the card, looks at it in the manner of somebody studying a dead rat, then slips it into his pocket. "I haven't had good experiences with credit cards in the past, but I'll be careful with this one." >"It might be best to take one of the Sample cases marked "A", > From the shelves on the North wall of the Carriage House, > I have been manufacturing Combination, > Personal DataBank and Palmtop Computers, > Funtional in most realms since my first Split arrived, > In the Matrix Cosm. > The Standard "A" Sample Kit includes, > A dozen Models ranging from, > The Basic Rolodex Calculator, to > Dynamic Interface AI Companions..." "Sounds interesting. I'll take a look at the interfaces and see what I like." [I wonder if a telepathic command system would work in that world...] >>Rob pauses. "Add a reasonable facsimile of a fairly popular snack >>food. Something in the starchy-food-with-salt line." > >"Food Fads change so rapidly that, > It might be best to buy something at the snack bar in the museum." "Good point. I may stop by a mini-mart, instead." >>"And one last thing...how am I dressed, compared to that universe? >>Most places I've been, what I'm wearing now is all right, but I've >>been to a few where I was out of place, either by being >>unfashionably casual, or being overdressed in the extreme." > >"The Museum draws tourists from several Cosms, > And is primarily intended to show the wonders of Technology, > To inspire the Next generation..., > Any mode of Dress is Acceptable." "Good. I'll leave in the *yawn* morning." ----------------------------------------- (Ten hours later) [Good thing Nemesis gave me this credit card. Parking around here is _expensive_, according to the Big Mac comparison.] "Oh. My." The museum was big, according to the map, taking up four city blocks. But maps do not make note of three-story caryatids, polished white stone stairs, or hand rails made of some green stone that looks like, but is not, jade. "The artist must have had fun designing this." A few hours of wandering the museum and a quick lunch later, Rob finds the ten-channel ansible. [I forgot to ask about the tolerances for magic. Not to worry, though...most of the sensory spells in quantum magic can slide by almost any universe. I'll just keep it simple.] After placing several spells on the wiring, Rob begins playing with the ansible. [This is fun. I should do something like this more often...when I have the money, anyhow.] ================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 18:33:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 21:09:30 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007789 /"*Attention please! Especially those on Team 1. Polaris has just provided me with some VERY important information. Two of the backtime team managed to get access to a set of the Ansible Guild's -product-. The -duplicated- chipsets that the Ansible Guild is providing to their customers, are not -duplicated-. Or rather they are -duplicated-, but not they are NOT corresponding duplicates. As the Gauge is supposed to work an item -duplicated- by it exists in two places at once. Thus the quantum signature of both -duplicated- items MUST be identical, since they are the same item. The chipsets provided by the Ansible Guild are advertised to be such items. In fact they are, but the two chips in each provided set, are not the same item. They have DIFFERENT quantum signatures. They work anyway. Being suspicious Polaris checked both ends from N-Space. She found that when the Ansible Guild creates a chipset, they actually create TWO chipsets. They keep one of each chipset, and provide the other two to the customer. The -kept- set is installed in an array that completes the circuit between the two different chipsets. The array allows the Ansible Guild to monitor all communications passing through the chipsets. There is a danger. One of the properties of the Guage, and the items -duplicated- by it, is that use of the Guage on an item already -duplicated- causes enormous explosions. By checking backtime, Polaris determined that the Ansible Guild has done this on more than one occasion. Destroying planets where competing technology has been successfully developed. My teams have been instructed to be prepared to shunt the energies of such attacks away from their host planets, but any planet that the Guild suspects may be developing such technology is in EXTREME danger."*/ Aurora anounces. ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 03:33:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 03:16:44 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007794 >Dane0R0A wrote: Harlock pauses in his studies to shake his head vigorously. "I wish Aurora would tone down the volume a bit...at least now I've got a little more ammo to use against the Guild. I wonder if there's a conspiracy theory group on the Int-R-Net? That would be the natural home for the information, and if it got 'accidentally' cross-posted somewhere reputable..." The Bard's voice trails off to a mutter, and he settles down with his textdiscs again. ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 06:04:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 04:27:50 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007795 >On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 21:09:30 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007789 > >She found that when the Ansible Guild creates a chipset, they >actually create TWO chipsets. They keep one of each chipset, and >provide the other two to the customer. The -kept- set is installed in >an array that completes the circuit between the two different >chipsets. The array allows the Ansible Guild to monitor all >communications passing through the chipsets. One further note. Regardless of the vote, etc.... "I have a chipset I wish 'duplicated'. They may have trouble doing so. Considerable trouble." Nemo will present a chip that is far ahead of anything the Guild will have encountered before. Sufficiently so that they'll have to strain their resources to make the "extra" set. And such that they aren't going to understand it very well when they do. ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 06:04:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 03:51:51 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007796 >On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 21:09:30 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007789 > >She found that when the Ansible Guild creates a chipset, they >actually create TWO chipsets. They keep one of each chipset, and >provide the other two to the customer. The -kept- set is installed in >an array that completes the circuit between the two different >chipsets. The array allows the Ansible Guild to monitor all >communications passing through the chipsets. "So. They are even less desirable than we'd thought. Spying on their customers is not indicative of anything good. *Universal* spying is beyond the pale." >There is a danger. One of the properties of the Guage, and the items >-duplicated- by it, is that use of the Guage on an item already >-duplicated- causes enormous explosions. By checking backtime, >Polaris determined that the Ansible Guild has done this on more than >one occasion. Destroying planets where competing technology has been >successfully developed. My teams have been instructed to be prepared >to shunt the energies of such attacks away from their host planets, >but any planet that the Guild suspects may be developing such >technology is in EXTREME danger."*/ Aurora anounces. Nemo's face freezes for the merest instant. Then he opens a telepathic or (if necessary) audio channel to all members of the group in the present. "^Please relay this to team members not in the present time.^" "^A vote is necessary. I move that the Ansible Guild is guilty of what can only be inadequately called 'crimes against civilization'. And that thus, our goals need to be re-evaluated.^" "^Our primary goal must remain obtaining the Gauge of Infinity.^" "^Our current secondary goal is replacing their services. This should remain a goal, though perhaps at lower priority.^" "^I believe we need to add the further goals of capturing or killing all members of the Ansible Guild, examining them to determine guilt and either turning them over to appropriate authorities, or in the absence of such authorities, dealing with them ourselves.^" "^Therefore, we need to vote on each of the new goals, and then prioritize them.^" Proposed ballot. 1. Should the Ansible Guild and it's members answer for their crimes? 2. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction for some or all of these crimes, should we investigate them ourselves? a. Should we create such an authority? 3. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction to try these crimes, should we try them ourselves? a. Should we create such an authority. 4. In the absence of an existing authority to carry out any sentences resulting from the trials, should we execute sentence ourselves? a. Should we create an authority to carry out sentence? 5. Is taking Guild members out of circulation more important than capturing them alive? (In other words, if the choice is between letting one escape and killing him, which should happen?) 6. Which is more important? "Arresting" the Guild, or preventing disruption of communications? Feel free to debate the ballot. I suggest that we use the green room, as I'm *certain* Nemo would have done a better job of laying it out and wording it. For what it's worth, Nemo's attitude is that the "spying", while inexcusable *could* be turned over to local authorities. The destruction of planets to maintain a monopoly merits death or worse (and yes, there is worse). Anyone who gave the orders is guilty. Anyone who had a choice about following the orders, and did so anyway is guilty. Anyone who knowingly profitted from it is guilty. Etc. Legitimate fear of being killed for objecting *is* a mitigating circumstance. ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 08:35:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 11:19:51 EDT Scott Osborne Said As CAoL Message # 00007797 >In a message dated 10/21/99 6:04:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time, >kal-el writes: > >"^I believe we need to add the further goals of capturing or killing >all members of the Ansible Guild, examining them to determine guilt >and either turning them over to appropriate authorities, or in the >absence of such authorities, dealing with them ourselves.^" > >"^Therefore, we need to vote on each of the new goals, and then >prioritize them.^" "I say we nuke the site from- er, wrong movie." Scott says. He looks slightly better, but only slightly. "These revelations greatly simplify things. If there is a central switching station, then somebody with excellent stealth (such as myself) could just walk in, and wreak havoc on the entire operation. Say, for example, disruption of traffic. Light at first, but rapidly grows more severe. Meanwhile, somebody walks away with the Rod. Simple, effective, and nobody but the guild gets directly hurt. Particularly if a replacement appears." Scott blinks. "I could be wrong, of course; but I believe in letting justice handle itself. Arresting and/or punishing the members of the Ansible Guild would be pointless, as well as being on shaky moral ground." Meanwhile, a small piece of paper appears in front of FailSafe. "Could you give me the coordinates you wish me to go to? Scott" ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 09:44:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 15:49:06 GMT Tech Tonic Said As CAoL Message # 00007798 A Soft voice is hear on the telepathic frequency, from backtime. >1. Should the Ansible Guild and it's members answer for their crimes? "Those who are responsible should" >2. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction for some >or all of these crimes, should we investigate them ourselves? "The exsisting authority has done nothing, logically we should" >a. Should we create such an authority? "How much time do we have?" >3. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction to try >these crimes, should we try them ourselves? "Yes." >a. Should we create such an authority. "How much time do we have?" >4. In the absence of an existing authority to carry out any sentences >resulting from the trials, should we execute sentence ourselves? "After having caught them and tried them, I don't see why we should stop there." >a. Should we create an authority to carry out sentence? "How Much Time do we have?" >5. Is taking Guild members out of circulation more important than >capturing them alive? (In other words, if the choice is between >letting one escape and killing him, which should happen?) "It depends on how important this guild member is. Legion should be able to tell us which ones are actually dangerous, and which are dupes. The dangerous ones should be caught at any cost." >6. Which is more important? "Arresting" the Guild, or preventing >disruption of communications? "Neither is more important. We have enough beings to accomplish both." ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 12:34:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 20:16:08 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007800 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 03:51:51 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007796 > >"^A vote is necessary. I move that the Ansible Guild is guilty of >what can only be inadequately called 'crimes against civilization'. >And that thus, our goals need to be re-evaluated.^" >Proposed ballot. > >1. Should the Ansible Guild and it's members answer for their crimes? /They have maintained their monopoly through lethal force and apparently secretly monitored all the comms traffic going through their stations. I say we take them down. Easy or hard, their choice./ /Incidentally, do they advertise the fact that they can monitor any comms traffic through their stations? It might be a 'use our service, but we monitor it for appropriate content' deal./ >2. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction for some >or all of these crimes, should we investigate them ourselves? /Yes./ >a. Should we create such an authority? /I believe we already constitute such an authority./ >3. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction to try >these crimes, should we try them ourselves? /Yes./ >a. Should we create such an authority. /As I said before./ >4. In the absence of an existing authority to carry out any sentences >resulting from the trials, should we execute sentence ourselves? /Yes./ >a. Should we create an authority to carry out sentence? /Again, as I said before./ >5. Is taking Guild members out of circulation more important than >capturing them alive? (In other words, if the choice is between >letting one escape and killing him, which should happen?) /Depends on the person. I believe shutting their operation down should be our primary secondary objective./ >6. Which is more important? "Arresting" the Guild, or preventing >disruption of communications? /"Arresting" the guild. Let justice be done, though the heavens fall./ There is not a hint of doubt in Stranger's mental tone. /People should be free to choose for themselves./ Stranger adds, it sounds like he's quoting from some holy book by his tone. /They violated that, we close them down. Punish the people who perpetuated the system, allow the ones who were just following orders the benefit of the doubt. But we take them down./ ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 16:15:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE6a Re: AAE VI: Bard at Play On 10-21-1999 at 16:13:41 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007802 >On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 03:13:59 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007786 > >Harlock frowns. "Well, give me what you have on the Guild so far, >then. If I'm to start a whispering campaign, I need to know what to >whisper about." He flips through the first few screens of the >textbooks, then shakes his head rapidly. "Besides, 'twill give me a >break from trying to decipher this mathematical gobbledygook." The Attendant moves a small table and computer terminal into place, At Harlocks elbow... "This terminal will maintain a constantly update list of references, and content relating to The Ansible Guild. In the Current Window, You may open additional windows for other reference searches." ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 16:15:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE6a Re: AAE VI: Scoutin' about... On 10-21-1999 at 16:13:41 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007803 >On Wed, 20 Oct 1999 08:16:13 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007788 > >>On 10-19-1999 at 12:55:08 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007780 >> >>"Here is a InterRealm Corporate Account card," > >Rob takes the card, looks at it in the manner of somebody studying a >dead rat, then slips it into his pocket. "I haven't had good >experiences with credit cards in the past, but I'll be careful with >this one." "Please do, It is not a 'Credit' Account, It is a pre-deposit account, That card is good for up to 5,000 Inter-Realm-Monetary-Units, Per Day, Appropriate for a Upper-Mid level Travelling salesman..." >>"It might be best to take one of the Sample cases marked "A", >> From the shelves on the North wall of the Carriage House, >> I have been manufacturing Combination, >> Personal DataBank and Palmtop Computers, >> Funtional in most realms since my first Split arrived, >> In the Matrix Cosm. >> The Standard "A" Sample Kit includes, >> A dozen Models ranging from, >> The Basic Rolodex Calculator, to >> Dynamic Interface AI Companions..." > >"Sounds interesting. I'll take a look at the interfaces and see what >I like." [I wonder if a telepathic command system would work in that >world...] "In combination with the Card above, The Samples Kit should convince anyone who searches your belongings, That, You Are a Traveling Salesman." ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 19:56:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 21:33:22 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007811 Roger listens to Aurora's description of the Ansible Guild's left-handed activities, his face undergoing a slow, uncharacteristic loss of all humor. "So much," he comments after the long silence following her pronouncement, "for the lack of malicious intent. Negotiating for the return of the Gauge is out." He pauses for a moment's thought. "Removing the Gauge will pull the Guild's ability to threaten the competition by main force. And sufficiently strong encryption would probably beat their eavsdropping capability during the time it takes for people to switch from Guild comms to our alternative units..." He trails off, chewing the inside of one cheek. ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 223450 -0700 (PDT) Subject: ReAAE6aScoutin' about... On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 221509 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007819 >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007788 > >A few hours of wandering the museum and a quick lunch later, Rob >finds the ten-channel ansible. [I forgot to ask about the tolerances >for magic. Not to worry, though...most of the sensory spells in >quantum magic can slide by almost any universe. I'll just keep it >simple.] > >After placing several spells on the wiring, Rob begins playing with >the ansible. [This is fun. I should do something like this more >often...when I have the money, anyhow.] [That's odd. The chipsets aren't quantum matches. Maybe I should 'ping' the counterpart...no. That could draw attention. And attention is not on the list of things to get.] ------------------------ A few hours later, Rob is back in the Dyson Sphere, with the D-Flyer on autopilot. [Quantum signature fluxes, Heisenberging electrons away, static electricity...so many foul-ups, so little] >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007789 > >/"*Attention please!*"/ [AARGH!] >/"*Polaris has just provided me with some VERY important >information.*"/ [Note to self Starspawn 'pathing above 'talking' volume = Rob has a headache.] >/"*The chipsets provided by the Ansible Guild are advertised to be >such items. In fact they are, but the two chips in each provided set, >are not the same item. They have DIFFERENT quantum signatures. They >work anyway. Being suspicious Polaris checked both ends from N-Space. >She found that when the Ansible Guild creates a chipset, they >actually create TWO chipsets. They keep one of each chipset, and >provide the other two to the customer. The -kept- set is installed in >an array that completes the circuit between the two different >chipsets. The array allows the Ansible Guild to monitor all >communications passing through the chipsets.*"/ "Which might explain why they've kept their monopoly. Anything sent through an ansible which resembles replacement technology is automatically flagged. There's something else useful about this info, but I can't place it right now..." After the D-flyer lands, Rob leaves the debit card in the planning room, leaves a note on glitching the ansibles for Harlock, stops at the infirmary for some painkillers, and goes to sleep. [If all the buses leave without me, I'll just stay here and practice...] ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 03:34:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:37:04 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007821 >Leonard Erickson wrote: >Proposed ballot. > >1. Should the Ansible Guild and it's members answer for their crimes? "Aye." >2. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction for some >or all of these crimes, should we investigate them ourselves? "Aye, but only if the proper authorities do not exist." >a. Should we create such an authority? "Nay. 'Twould be a needless complication." >3. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction to try >these crimes, should we try them ourselves? "Aye, but with the same caution as before." >a. Should we create such an authority. "Nay. More needless complications." >4. In the absence of an existing authority to carry out any sentences >resulting from the trials, should we execute sentence ourselves? "Aye, but again, only if there is no proper authority." >a. Should we create an authority to carry out sentence? "Nay. Should we come this far, we would essentially be declaring a revolution in any case. Creating irrelevant authorities would be...anti-climactic, shall we say?" >5. Is taking Guild members out of circulation more important than >capturing them alive? (In other words, if the choice is between >letting one escape and killing him, which should happen?) "So long as the whoresons have no way to maintain their power, I see no reason for wholesale slaughter. We are trying to break the Guild, not necessarily each and every member thereof. Execution of the leaders, wholesale deletion of comm transcripts, redistribution of Ansibles so that they are no longer monitored, and siezure of the Gauge ought to do a good job of that. If certain of the Guild's thugs have particularly sordid pasts, then they should be dealt with, as well, but the rank-and-file guild member is like to be innocent." "Come to think of it, would anybody bet _against_ the Guild having blackmail material on just about every high government official they know of? Hmm...maybe we do need to appoint ourselves judge, jury, and executioner. The local governments are likely to be...ah...overly lenient." >6. Which is more important? "Arresting" the Guild, or preventing >disruption of communications? "Actually, a temporary disruption of communications would probably facilitate our 'arrests.' If, after communications have been reestablished, we present folks with a fiat accompli, there will likely be grumbling, but no real objections. 'Tis easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission." ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 03:34:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6a Re: AAE VI: Bard at Play On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:37:10 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007822 >Nemisis wrote: > >The Attendant moves a small table and computer terminal into place, > At Harlocks elbow... > >"This terminal will maintain a constantly update list of references, > and content relating to The Ansible Guild. > In the Current Window, > You may open additional windows for other reference searches." "Even better. Thank you." Harlock skims through a quick overview of the Guild's history, then returns to his mathemagical [sic] studies. When Aurora's call comes through, the Bard checks the terminal to learn the identities of the planets in question. "No doubt about it," he mutters, "we've got to glitch this thing _before_ we start distributing our replacement tech. I wonder if we could tailor the glitch spell so that it was content-sensitive? I'll have to ask Rob." Harlock types a quick message into the terminal, intended for display in the planning room. {In my opinion, the proposed glitch spell has just taken on new urgency. If we're to protect our "mad scientists" from having their planet blown up from underneath them, it is vital that the guild be unable to eavesdrop on any transmissions they might make. At present, however, I can't determine how they are to disseminate their work properly without running afoul of the glitch spell themselves. Advice would be appreciated. Send responses to this terminal or come visit me in the Library. Harlock} ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 05:58:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 07:31:11 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007825 >On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:37:04 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007821 > >> Proposed ballot. >> >> 1. Should the Ansible Guild and it's members answer for their >>crimes? Will and Don (conferring with the rest of the Robinsons via radio): "Yes, if they've committed some." Seth: "Yes." >>2. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction for >>some or all of these crimes, should we investigate them ourselves? W&D: "No. That's for them to set up." Seth: "No, though here I only speak for myself, thus choose not to deter those who find it a calling for them." >>a. Should we create such an authority? W&D: "That's for them to do." Seth: "It is their choice to do such a thing, not ours." >>3. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction to try >>these crimes, should we try them ourselves? W&D: "No." Seth: "No." >>a. Should we create such an authority. W&D: "Again, that's for them to do themselves." Seth: "No, it is not our place." >>4. In the absence of an existing authority to carry out any >>sentences resulting from the trials, should we execute sentence >>ourselves? W&D: "No!" Seth: "I have done such in the past, but I do not take pleasure in it and do not desire to do so if I can avoid the task. Nor do I reccomend it to others." >>a. Should we create an authority to carry out sentence? W&D: "Their job." Seth: "They must make their own laws." >>5. Is taking Guild members out of circulation more important than >>capturing them alive? (In other words, if the choice is between >>letting one escape and killing him, which should happen?) W&D: "Depends entirely on the particulars of the member in question, can't make that call until it becomes an issue." Seth: "Killing should always be avoided if it can be." >>6. Which is more important? "Arresting" the Guild, or preventing >>disruption of communications? W&D: "Preventing disruption of communications." Seth: "Keeping the damage as far from the innocent as possible. However that will happen, I am uncertain, but that is what I would bear in mind as I plan." ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 08:03:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6a: Bard at Play On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 07:57:29 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00007826 >On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:37:10 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007822 > >"Even better. Thank you." Harlock skims through a quick overview of >the Guild's history, then returns to his mathemagical [sic] studies. >When Aurora's call comes through, the Bard checks the terminal to >learn the identities of the planets in question. "No doubt about it," >he mutters, "we've got to glitch this thing _before_ we start >distributing our replacement tech. I wonder if we could tailor the >glitch spell so that it was content-sensitive? I'll have to ask Rob." Included in the notes Rob left in the planning room is a footnote: "If necessary, introduce a magical subroutine {} into the spell. This will modify the glitch spell into an encryption system if a message has an opening phrase from this {} list." "The encryption system is designed such that a message encrypted with key A, encrypted with key B, then decrypted with key A is equal to a message encrypted with key B. Encryption keys are taken from the quantum signature of each chipset, and decrypted only after encountering a new chipset and encrypting using the new q-sig." "Final decryption will involve taking the quantum signature of the receiving ansible, and running it through this {} formula. The spell is documented well enough that the encryption system, which is relatively simple and correspondingly easy to break, can be replaced with a more effective one. Talk to Zia or Nemo about writing a new formula up." >Harlock types a quick message into the terminal, intended for display >in the planning room. {In my opinion, the proposed glitch spell has >just taken on new urgency. If we're to protect our "mad scientists" >from having their planet blown up from underneath them, it is vital >that the guild be unable to eavesdrop on any transmissions they might >make. At present, however, I can't determine how they are to >disseminate their work properly without running afoul of the glitch >spell themselves. Advice would be appreciated. Send responses to this >terminal or come visit me in the Library. Harlock} Also included is a suggestion to buy an ansible set, link in a lightspeed communication system to the ansibles, and locate the ansible set someplace harmless. ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 10:36:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Sat, 22 Oct 1983 10:23:01 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007828 > Proposed ballot. Joe looks around a bit, "Hey tell me if I'm outta line here, but somethin just ain't too kosher 'bout all dis talk if I can says so. I'm a hit man. I'm not ashamed at that, cuz it's what I does and I does it well. I am an enforcer. that is my place in the organization. We chose how to set up that organization. That's how we wanted it. Now generally we let other organizations around us be and we're happy like that. Sometimes we do come conflict and decide we needs to do something about it. When we do, we go all or nothin, none of this halfway stuff." Joe takes a moment to try to gather this thoughts and direct them, "Now I ain't the best talker, but I'm a good listner, and what I'm hearin is that these mooks are doing stuff YOU don't approve of, though that's how they've been doing it for however long. Now you're gonna go in there and wipe them out. Well I gots news for ya. If you're gonna do that you'd better damned well be ready to take over too or you're doing just as bad of things as them. If they don't know no other way anymore than how they're doin things cuz they've been doing it so long, and you take that away from them, then they gots nuthin. You just try to take out the head mooks who been doing the messin up, and other mooks will rise to the top to take their place and it's all gonna start all over again because that's what they know. That's what they're used to." "So if you guys is gonna be doin a hit like this, ya gotta decide not all this namby pamby stuff like should we go makin authorities and such. You gotta decide if you're in it for all or nothing because that's all there is if you're gonna be doing something like this. You gotta be ready to go in there and take over if you want them doing it how YOU think is right, cuz otherwise, their either gonna collapse into complete chaos, causing lots of innocent death and destruction, or else they're just gonna go back to the way things were with a new buncha people in charge." Pose flops himself into a nearby chair, reaches into his trenchcoat and pulls out a Zagnut bar to start muching on. ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 17:34:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 16:41:52 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007832 >On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:37:04 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007821 > >"Come to think of it, would anybody bet _against_ the Guild having >blackmail material on just about every high government official they >know of? Hmm...maybe we do need to appoint ourselves judge, jury, >and executioner. The local governments are likely to be... ah... >overly lenient." Since we'll have to do a *thorough* search of Guild facilities, and of the minds of any who might be guilty of crimes, I think we can provide said officials with proof that the material no longer exists. In which case they are apt to swing to the *other* extreme without a bit of gentle prodding. ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 17:34:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 16:48:53 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007833 >On Sat, 22 Oct 1983 10:23:01 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007828 > > Joe looks around a bit, "Hey tell me if I'm outta line here, but >somethin just ain't too kosher 'bout all dis talk if I can says so. >I'm a hit man. I'm not ashamed at that, cuz it's what I does and I >does it well. I am an enforcer. that is my place in the organization. >We chose how to set up that organization. That's how we wanted it. >Now generally we let other organizations around us be and we're happy >like that. Sometimes we do come into conflict and decide we needs to >do something about it. When we do, we go all or nothin, none of this >halfway stuff." "I agree. But others here see things differently." > "So if you guys is gonna be doin a hit like this, ya gotta decide >not all this namby pamby stuff like should we go makin authorities >and such. You gotta decide if you're in it for all or nothing because >that's all there is if you're gonna be doing something like this. You >gotta be ready to go in there and take over if you want them doing it >how YOU think is right, cuz otherwise, their either gonna collapse >into complete chaos, causing lots of innocent death and destruction, >or else they're just gonna go back to the way things were with a new >buncha people in charge." "I won't debate right and wrong. But there are aspects of this that you've overlooked. Since we'll be breaking their monpoly, there won't *be* any "top" for the 'mooks' to rise to. As an analogy, what happens to rum-runners when alcohol is legalized? Or to drug dealers when their wares are avialbe cheaply, legallym, and with *reliable* dosage levels?" "True, if given the opportunity, the organization spreads out into other illegal activities. But we are eliminating that possibility as well." "The honest members of the Guild should be able to find work doing things not all that different from what they'd been doing before. In fact, since there is likely to be a rapid expansion in communication services, they will likely be able to do better than they are now." "The members who aren't quite guilty enough to go after won't have the old powerbase to work from. No more monopoly on communications, no more planet destruction made easy by the Guage." "They *will* likely get into various sorts of trouble, but it will be a far more *limited* sort." "I *could* root out all 'wrong-doers' in any universe I am present in. But that would be an all consuming, never-ending task. There are better uses for my time and resources. Also, people 'protected' that way tend to lose the ability to protect themselves." "But when I stumble over something this big, I do something about it. It's one thing to not look to closely. It's quite another to ignore the obvious." "I'm sure that you are familiar with this sort of thing Joe. Penny-ante competitors to your organization are likely ignored as beneath notice. But if an example is needed, or if one makes the fact that he's 'getting away with' competing with you obvious, you get orders to deal with him, right?" "If we'd not needed to check them out, the Guild would likely have been left alone. If they'd have been operating in a less predatory manner, they'd have merely lost business. But they both in our way, *and* make a habit of rubbibf out innocent bystanders just because it's 'easier'." "As an enforcer, what would your opinion be of an enforcer and the organization he worked for, if his response to finding out that there was a stoolie in a city was to set off a nuke in the city, 'just to be sure' and because it was 'easier' than capturing him, finding out who he'd talked to, and silencing them?" "That's the way the Guild is playing the game." ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 224734 -0700 (PDT) Subject: ReAAE6a ReAAE VIBard at Play On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 171150 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007834 >On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 023710 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007822 > >Harlock types a quick message into the terminal, intended for display >in the planning room. {In my opinion, the proposed glitch spell has >just taken on new urgency. If we're to protect our "mad scientists" >from having their planet blown up from underneath them, it is vital >that the guild be unable to eavesdrop on any transmissions they might >make. At present, however, I can't determine how they are to >disseminate their work properly without running afoul of the glitch >spell themselves. Advice would be appreciated. Send responses to >this terminal or come visit me in the Library. Harlock} {I think we may have to go to plan B. I may be able to get them to accept for duplication a 'chip'that is actually a heavily disguised interface to something that would find their systems child's play to manipulate.} ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 01:09:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6a Re: AAE VI: Bard at Play On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 00:50:54 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007836 >Leonard Erickson wrote: >{I think we may have to go to plan B. I may be able to get them to >accept for duplication a 'chip'that is actually a heavily disguised >interface to something that would find their systems child's play to >manipulate.} {Hmm...sounds good. I think I shall still want to create the glitch spell for future reference, but if your 'chip' can keep the Guild from noticing the revelation that we are trying to set up, that would protect our people admirably. I am still looking through the data we have on the Guild, trying to plan the whispering campaign. Aurora's revelation gives me something spectacular to work with, but it is the sort of thing I want to build up to. Grumbling about the Guild's role in the Kindgaard Incursion, for instance, is not like to attract much attention from the Guild, but it is like to get me sympathetic listeners in certain areas. When I have their ear, I can then tell them about the monitoring. Provided I have done my part well, they will then start protecting me well enough that I may reveal the Guild's role in the destruction of Antor. The trick is to draw the following without drawing the Guild's attention. An I manage, the Guild will be faced with several billion angry people, rather than the few angry individuals that they currently have to placate. By the way, does anybody know how magic is affected in that realm? I have been on planes where spells of a certain college had altered effects, and planes where magic functions just as I am used to. I would prefer some advance warning, so that I may tailor my defenses and spell selection to suit.} ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 12:45:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Sun, 23 Oct 1983 12:00:48 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007837 >On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 16:48:53 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007833 > >"I won't debate right and wrong. But there are aspects of this that >you've overlooked. Since we'll be breaking their monpoly, there won't >*be* any "top" for the 'mooks' to rise to. As an analogy, what >happens to rum-runners when alcohol is legalized? Or to drug dealers >when their wares are avialbe cheaply, legallym, and with *reliable* >dosage levels?" "Ya break a monopoly, then all the smaller mooks just fight it out to start their own monopoly. That's what they know. That's what they'll do. And if you take away how they do the stuff altogether, they'll find a new way to get back into the status quo with a new Monopoly running things. And the strangest stuff can end up making you come out wiht the power. Before Prohibition if ya'd have asked anyone, no one woulda thought you could own a city by making a little hooch. Once Hooch got legal again, we had a slump, but then a new racket came along in drugs. Once they're gone, something else will come along. it always does. Some thin here. You take down these guild guys, and if you ain't gonna stick around to make em do things how you want it done, then one way or another they're gonna get back into the same bind they was before." >"True, if given the opportunity, the organization spreads out into >other illegal activities. But we are eliminating that possibility as >well." "Ya can't eliminate everything.Cuz there's no was ta know what route a twisted mind can find." >"The members who aren't quite guilty enough to go after won't have >the old powerbase to work from. No more monopoly on communications, >no more planet destruction made easy by the Guage." > >"They *will* likely get into various sorts of trouble, but it will be >a far more *limited* sort." "Limited ya say now, but for how long til they gets ideas again and start setting up shop? Cuz I can garuntee ya, the top Mooks ain't gonna leave no evidence against them around for ya to find to prove anything, at least if they've got some brains in their heads. That's what underlings is for. Al did it all the time." >"I'm sure that you are familiar with this sort of thing Joe. >Penny-ante competitors to your organization are likely ignored as >beneath notice. But if an example is needed, or if one makes the fact >that he's 'getting away with' competing with you obvious, you get >orders to deal with him, right?" "yeh but like I've said before, when we do it, we're doing it to be in the game for keeps. If someone's comin up in a racket we don't wanna get invovled with, we ain't gonna bother with it, cuz it's not worth the trouble to go wreckin things over there if we're not gonna take it over. It costs us time and trouble, gets more enemies and more notice laid on ya. Hey, if you're gonna reform this place to how you see fit and make sure to be there to re-structure it after you take their bosses down adn take over the territory, then hey go at it. But what I'm hearing is 'Lets go bust their chops, take what we want, and then abandon them. And that ain't cool and it's gonna bite ya in the end. Ya don't go doing no operation dirty like that. if you're gonna do it, you do your job and stick around to make sure it's done clean. You wanna change this place, ya got two choices. You either go in and clean house yourself setting yourselves up as the head honchos, or you let the people already invovled decide to do it themselves and wash your hands of it." >"As an enforcer, what would your opinion be of an enforcer and the >organization he worked for, if his response to finding out that there >was a stoolie in a city was to set off a nuke in the city, 'just to >be sure' and because it was 'easier' than capturing him, finding out >who he'd talked to, and silencing them?" > >"That's the way the Guild is playing the game." Joe grins broadly flashing his fangs again, "Obviously you ain't never read your history books too good. We've done that plenty of times. Yeh it's dirty, it causes a lot of unneeded attention, but sometimes it's needed. I just don't make a habit of it. there's another organization out there like ours that does. They relish in public displays of violence and terror to control things. We don't agree about being so flaboyant and common about it, and so when we clash, we rumble. But again, we're not just fightin to go trapsin off when we're done leavin them to wander around aimlessly. We fight to win. When we win, we take over." ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 15:01:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 13:48:50 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007840 >On Sun, 23 Oct 1983 12:00:48 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007837 > >>On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 16:48:53 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007833 >> > "Ya break a monopoly, then all the smaller mooks just fight it out >to start their own monopoly. That's what they know. That's what >they'll do. And if you take away how they do the stuff altogether, >they'll find a new way to get back into the status quo with a new >Monopoly running things. "As I said a communications monopoly won't be *possible* with the new tech. And to use your own logic back at you all the *other* monopolies have already got somebody running them." > "Ya can't eliminate everything.Cuz there's no was ta know what route >a twisted mind can find." "Which is why we are going after the twisted minds." > "Limited ya say now, but for how long til they gets ideas again and >start setting up shop? Cuz I can garuntee ya, the top Mooks ain't >gonna leave no evidence against them around for ya to find to prove >anything, at least if they've got some brains in their heads. That's >what underlings is for. Al did it all the time." "I see that you are from a world that doesn't have reliable veridication technology. With such, it is no longer *possible* to get away with lying in court. Much to the dismay of many attorneys on *both* sides when such technology is introduced. Thus, their own memories are sufficient evidence." "And for that matter, we are quite capable of collecting evidence of past events, regardless of attempts to prevent it." > "yeh but like I've said before, when we do it, we're doing it to be >in the game for keeps. If someone's comin up in a racket we don't >wanna get invovled with, we ain't gonna bother with it, cuz it's not >worth the trouble to go wreckin things over there if we're not gonna >take it over. It costs us time and trouble, gets more enemies and >more notice laid on ya. Hey, if you're gonna reform this place to how >you see fit and make sure to be there to re-structure it after you >take their bosses down adn take over the territory, then hey go at >it. But what I'm hearing is 'Lets go bust their chops, take what we >want, and then abandon them. And that ain't cool and it's gonna bite >ya in the end. Ya don't go doing no operation dirty like that. if >you're gonna do it, you do your job and stick around to make sure >it's done clean. You wanna change this place, ya got two choices. You >either go in and clean house yourself setting yourselves up as the >head honchos, or you let the people already invovled decide to do it >themselves and wash your hands of it." Suddenly there are *two* Nemos standing there. One continues the conversation, the other walks away. "Who said I was leaving?" > Joe grins broadly flashing his fangs again, "Obviously you ain't >never read your history books too good. We've done that plenty of >times. Yeh it's dirty, it causes a lot of unneeded attention, but >sometimes it's needed. I just don't make a habit of it. there's >another organization out there like ours that does. They relish in >public displays of violence and terror to control things. We don't >agree about being so flaboyant and common about it, and so when we >clash, we rumble. But again, we're not just fightin to go trapsin off >when we're done leavin them to wander around aimlessly. We fight to >win. When we win, we take over." "As I said before, when my attention is drawn to certain types of problems, I deal with them." ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 21:34:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 00:03:03 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007845 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007837 > "Limited ya say now, but for how long til they gets ideas again and >start setting up shop? Cuz I can garuntee ya, the top Mooks ain't >gonna leave no evidence against them around for ya to find to prove >anything, at least if they've got some brains in their heads. That's >what underlings is for. Al did it all the time." /*"It would be difficult indeed for even an L3 grade mind to prevent even a lesser Starspawn from gleaning such knowlege from it. The officers of the Ansible Guild in general do not have such minds. The knowlege will be aquired, and the guilty will face judgment. I oppose wholesale distruction of the Guild, but I will see to it that the guilty do not go free."*/ Aurora offers. ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 08:04:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 07:29:00 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007847 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 13:48:50 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007840 > >"As I said a communications monopoly won't be *possible* with the new >tech. And to use your own logic back at you all the *other* >monopolies have already got somebody running them." "Yeh but from whats I could gleem from how yas all are talking, This Guild was probably running those as well, or at least bossin' them around." >"I see that you are from a world that doesn't have reliable >veridication technology. With such, it is no longer *possible* to get >away with lying in court. Much to the dismay of many attorneys on >*both* sides when such technology is introduced. Thus, their own >memories are sufficient evidence." > >"And for that matter, we are quite capable of collecting evidence of >past events, regardless of attempts to prevent it." Joe looks REALLY comfused at this stuff, "Uhhh We gots Lie Detectors, but there's ways to get around dose!" >Suddenly there are *two* Nemos standing there. One continues the >conversation, the other walks away. > >"Who said I was leaving?" "Well Fine, if you're plannin on staying to be the new head Mook and set em up how you wants 'em to be and amke sure they stay that way, that's all I's talking about." Says Joe with a shrug and starts walking over towards where Stranger and Group 3 are gethering getting ready to go. ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 19:46:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:50:41 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007858 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 03:51:51 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007796 > >Proposed ballot. > >1. Should the Ansible Guild and it's members answer for their crimes? /Yes,/ Morgan responds, without any hesitation in her 'voice.' /Absolutely. Destroying worlds to pretect their monopoly definitely qualifies as crimes against sentience. I have a few other things I'd like to call it, but that would hardly be appropriate or relevant,/ Roland sends, a bit too mildly, in between blasts at Mechanon. >2. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction for some >or all of these crimes, should we investigate them ourselves? /Yes,/ Morgan replies again. /That's pretty much what we do, after all,/ Roland adds. >a. Should we create such an authority? The certainty in Morgan's 'voice' slips a little. /Only if there's no other way to hold tham accountable. We could also assist local authorities./ /I don't think it would be wise to create a police force; helping various governments found a group with the appropriate jurisdiction is another matter entirely./ >3. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction to try >these crimes, should we try them ourselves? Morgan's response: /Only if there's no other way, but yes, better us than letting them off scott-free./ /That is hardly within our 'charter,' I think,/ Roland replies. /And no comments about Lensmen, please. I don't think their 'writ' extends this far./ >a. Should we create such an authority. /That's better than doing is ourselves, if it's feasible,/ Morgan replies. /Again, I don't like the idea of creating a force unanswerable to others - that is how the Ansible Guild became so powerful, I'd note - but again, helping to create a federation/alliance/whatever-wide judicial organization wouldn't be such a bad idea, if one doesn't exist./ Roland's 'voice' grows thoughtful. /OTOH, we might be able to create the thing from scratch, if necessary, if we include the right checks and balances...never thought my Social Studies classes would be good for anything.../ /'_Helping_ to create one' as opposed to 'creating one.' An important distinction,/ Morgan adds. >4. In the absence of an existing authority to carry out any sentences >resulting from the trials, should we execute sentence ourselves? /If there is an authority to pass judgement, there is an authority to carry out sentence. If they want us to handle the details, I certainly won't oppose anyone who wants to accept, but I'm rather twitchy about the idea of being judge, jury and executioner./ /Agreed,/ Morgan replies, /But I think the question is, if there were no authority to pass judgement except us, there probably wouldn't be any authority to carry it out but us./ Her tone indicates she's not happy with that idea. >a. Should we create an authority to carry out sentence? /'See above.'/ Roland smiles, referring to his answers to question #3. /_Helping_ found a local authority would be better, but better us than letting the guilty off free./ >5. Is taking Guild members out of circulation more important than >capturing them alive? (In other words, if the choice is between >letting one escape and killing him, which should happen?) /Killing should always be a _last_ resort./ Morgan replies. /If they're trying to escape with something harmful, harsher measures are called for than if they're just running for their lives. It's a case-by-case call./ /ONLY if innocents are in immediate danger, if not, then...well...you know my feelings on killing./ >6. Which is more important? "Arresting" the Guild, or preventing >disruption of communications? /'If you can, help others. If not, at lease refrain from hurting others.' His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet,/ Morgan quotes. /Protecting innocents has first priority, protecting the communication system next, 'payback' is a distant third. All IMO, of course./ /Putting a good scare into anyone who might be considering taking unscrupulous advantage of the situation would be a nice bonus,/ Morgan adds. ================================= Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 02:07:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 22:32:03 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007864 >On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 07:29:00 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007847 > > Joe looks REALLY comfused at this stuff, "Uhhh We gots Lie >Detectors, but there's ways to get around dose!" "If you are going to run around with us, expect to run into lie detectors that *can't* be gotten around. It's best to plan things around the assumption that if you get caught, you'll either have to tell the truth, or else they'll know the truth without having to ask you. It can cramp your style, but when you realize it applies to *everyone, it actually makes stuff like negotiations easier. For example, if a cop offers you a deal, he can't go back on it. It also means that the laws have to get a lot more reasonable because folks can't claim to be against booze, broads and gambling, and then sneak around to do them." ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 11:15:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6a Re: AAE VI: Bard at Play On 10-27-1999 at 11:00:45 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007872 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 00:50:54 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007836 > >By the way, does anybody know how magic is affected in that realm? I >have been on planes where spells of a certain college had altered >effects, and planes where magic functions just as I am used to. I >would prefer some advance warning, so that I may tailor my defenses >and spell selection to suit.} Mental and Divinatory spells are functional at reduced effectiveness, Material components are unnecessary, Verbal and Somatic Components seem to increase effectiveness... Most other Spells require a Weird Science Talisman or Focus, The more Mass, Energy, Space, or Time Affected, The More Detailed and Precise the Talisman or Focus must be. The Basic form of the Talisman or Focus, Varies from College to College. The Armoury can supply a Wand or Torc form Nano-Detailed, Variable Function Talisman on Request. An Exception to this Generality is that, Trans-Dimensional Spell seem to work normally in all regards. Target Seeking Spell don't Seek... All Maneuvering of the effect requires, The Caster's Conscious Effort. I have encountered reference to a Culture, Which has not yet been linked to the Ansible Guild's Network, That has something they Call an Operators Field, Which may be related.} ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 20:25:08 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE6a: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On 10-27-1999 at 20:22:50 FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007879 >On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 16:41:52 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007832 > >>On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:37:04 -0700 >>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007821 >> >>"Come to think of it, would anybody bet _against_ the Guild having >>blackmail material on just about every high government official they >>know of? Hmm...maybe we do need to appoint ourselves judge, jury, >>and executioner. The local governments are likely to be... ah... >>overly lenient." > >Since we'll have to do a *thorough* search of Guild facilities, and >of the minds of any who might be guilty of crimes, I think we can >provide said officials with proof that the material no longer exists. >In which case they are apt to swing to the *other* extreme without a >bit of gentle prodding. " We Will have to Verify this, but I have neither seen nor heard indication, Or even Reasonable Rumors, that the Guild has used information from its Taps, In this manner. Which may make sense, If they view the security of the existence of the Taps, As More Valuable than the BlackMail potential. " ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 20:25:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6a Re: AAE VI: Bard at Play On 10-27-1999 at 20:22:50 FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007880 >On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 17:11:50 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007834 > >>On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:37:10 -0700 >>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007822 >> >>Harlock types a quick message into the terminal, intended for >>display in the planning room. {In my opinion, the proposed glitch >>spell has just taken on new urgency. If we're to protect our "mad >>scientists" from having their planet blown up from underneath them, >>it is vital that the guild be unable to eavesdrop on any >>transmissions they might make. At present, however, I can't >>determine how they are to disseminate their work properly without >>running afoul of the glitch spell themselves. Advice would be >>appreciated. Send responses to this terminal or come visit me in the >>Library. Harlock} > >{I think we may have to go to plan B. I may be able to get them to >accept for duplication a 'chip'that is actually a heavily disguised >interface to something that would find their systems child's play to >manipulate.} "{ The one good thing that can be said about the Guild, Is that they can afford Quality control practices, Rejecting anything that is below par in any respect, Which would bankrupt any normal Chip manufacturer, The Designs they use are a near optimum balance, For Features, Longevity, and Tolerances...}" "{ They do however sponsor a Quarterly Design Competition, On the Average 250,000 designs are submitted, The top 1,000 are Manufactured as a limited run, Any that can not be Manufactured to Specification, Are of course Disqualified, Examples of the top 100 are treated with The Gauge, Then tested in a Live Matrix, The Guild traditionally offers to Buy 9 of the top 10, At a price of 1,000,000,000 InterRealm Monetary Units, The very best design is offered 100 times that amount. Sufficient to buy an undeveloped life-zone planet.}" "{ They will even underwrite the Development of new kinds of Chips, That they deem interesting... That is how the Silicon-Carbide Chips were developed, Those Require minimum temperatures of 2000 degrees F., But will operate in Enviroments, where any other Semi-Conductor will melt. As well as several types of Techno-Magic Chips...}" ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 20:25:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On 10-27-1999 at 20:22:51 FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007881 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:50:41 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007858 > >>On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 03:51:51 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007796 >> >>Proposed ballot. >> >>1. Should the Ansible Guild and it's members answer for their >>crimes? > >/Yes,/ Morgan responds, without any hesitation in her 'voice.' > > /Absolutely. Destroying worlds to pretect their monopoly >definitely qualifies as crimes against sentience. I have a few other >things I'd like to call it, but that would hardly be appropriate or >relevant,/ Roland sends, a bit too mildly, in between blasts at >Mechanon. "Yes, Those involved should answer for Actions, or Knowing Inaction." >>2. In the absence of an existing authority with jurisdiction for >>some or all of these crimes, should we investigate them ourselves? > >/Yes,/ Morgan replies again. > > /That's pretty much what we do, after all,/ Roland adds. "It seems necessary." >>a. Should we create such an authority? > >The certainty in Morgan's 'voice' slips a little. /Only if there's no >other way to hold tham accountable. We could also assist local >authorities./ > > /I don't think it would be wise to create a police force; helping >various governments found a group with the appropriate jurisdiction >is another matter entirely./ "I believe that, If we remove The Guilds Monopoly, and Their ability to destroy worlds, Then Expose their activities, That the Citzens, May take care of that for us. That accounts for 3, 4, and 6 from my point of view." >>5. Is taking Guild members out of circulation more important than >>capturing them alive? (In other words, if the choice is between >>letting one escape and killing him, which should happen?) > >/Killing should always be a _last_ resort./ Morgan replies. /If >they're trying to escape with something harmful, harsher measures are >called for than if they're just running for their lives. It's a >case-by-case call./ > > /ONLY if innocents are in immediate danger, if not, then... >well...you know my feelings on killing./ "Disabling The Guild's Offensive Capabilities, Should have the Highest Priority, After that Keeping the Current Ansible Network up, long enough to be sure every world on it has, the designs for the New Tech Ansibles, Seems wise..." ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 20:25:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6a: The Planning Room On 10-27-1999 at 20:22:52 FailSafe Said As CAoL Message # 00007882 >On 10-27-1999 at 11:00:43 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007871 > >>On Fri, 22 Oct 1999 02:11:51 -0500, In alt.callahans >>"George Anderson" Said As CAoL Message # 00007824 >> >> Nemisis wrote in message >> news:rkQP3.95$Ck2.2324@nuq-read.news.verio.net... >> >>"Now I understand that some nasty X'ers are trying to corner the >>market on the communications by eliminating entire planets that >>might be a threat to their technology. I for one think that is >>absurd and immoral. Technology serves to enlighten and embolden >>mankind, not just to make money or control people. That's not what >>Science is about, and I for one don't like it one bit." > >"So, Group One... > They appear to have cornered the Market on Long Range > Communications, > Several thousand years ago..., > The information we have indicates that they have indeed, > Destroyed planets to protect their Monopoly." > >"It must be noted that the Infiltration Team, > Specifically Legion, > Has not reported Knowledge of such acts, > It therefor seems likely that, > Only the Highest Ranks within the Guild are Involved." > >"I am unaware of any Public Knowledge of either, > The Ansible Traffic Taps, or > Guild Responsibility for Planetary Destruction. > Perhaps FailSafe can Confirm that for us?" "I have already addressed the Question of Public Knowledge, As far as the Ansible Taps goes." "The Closest I am aware of to Public Knowledge, Of Responsibility for Planetary Destruction, Was a Press release long ago, that the Planet Lecith was destroyed as a Side effect of, An attempt to Test a Proposed new Ansible Tech, It was Claimed that the Guild Research Department, Tried to prevent the Disaster, but were ignored... The Equations that were published at that time, Seemed to indicate that a Possible Comm's tech, Until examined in more detail... That technology became the Basis for the Current Generation, Of Major Fleet Weapons..." " However with the New Information, It occurs to me that I can not state absolutely that, The Technology being tested was actually related to the Equations, Later Released by The Guild." ================================= Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 01:41:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE6a: Spells? [was: Re: AAE6a: Bard at Play] On Thu, 28 Oct 1999 01:30:33 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007883 >Nemisis wrote: > >>By the way, does anybody know how magic is affected in that realm? > > >Mental and Divinatory spells are functional at reduced effectiveness, > Material components are unnecessary, > Verbal and Somatic Components seem to increase effectiveness... >Most other Spells require a Weird Science Talisman or Focus, > The more Mass, Energy, Space, or Time Affected, > The More Detailed and Precise the Talisman or Focus must be. > The Basic form of the Talisman or Focus, > Varies from College to College. Harlock, still sitting in the Library, looks taken aback. >The Armoury can supply a Wand or Torc form Nano-Detailed, > Variable Function Talisman on Request. Harlock brightens at this. {So, with this Talisman, my magic will function much the same as it ever has? And my equipment? Will it need some special preparations, as well? My main concern is for the hat of disguise, at least for this venture, although my pouches, boots, and girdle are somewhat of an issue. As for the form of the Talisman, are the folk of that plane wont to wear wristcomps or watches? If so, that would be the most inconspicuous form I can think of for such a thing. Speaking of preparations, I will need several false IDs, as well as at least one blind link to the Int-R-Net to properly orchestrate this thing.} ================================= Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 01:43:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6a: Re: AAE VI: Dire Warnings On Thu, 28 Oct 1999 01:30:39 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00007884 >FailSafe wrote: > >>>"Come to think of it, would anybody bet _against_ the Guild having >>>blackmail material on just about every high government official > >" We Will have to Verify this, but > I have neither seen nor heard indication, > Or even Reasonable Rumors, > that the Guild has used information from its Taps, > In this manner. > Which may make sense, > If they view the security of the existence of the Taps, > As More Valuable than the BlackMail potential. " The Bard snorts. "As if the government figures in question would want it bandied about that they're being blackmailed. Spies--or in this case, taps--only serve one purpose: to provide information that others would rather you didn't have. I have yet to see somebody employing spies who didn't use the information thus gained. Since, moreover, the Guild's enormous income would allow for the contracting of several thousand spies, the information gained from the taps could very easily be attributed to a good spy network. Thus, I see no reason for the Guild _not_ to use the taps to gather blackmail information, _particularly_ if they are as ruthless as advertised." "However, Nemo's suggestion that the officials in question would be more than amenable to punishing Guild members if the blackmail evidence, if any, were destroyed is well taken...with a note that they will presumably want proof that all copies have been destroyed." =================================