Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6e The Sextant of Time - Chapter 2 Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 21:16:42 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 19 Jul 2000 20:17:10 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008567 >On Sun, 2 Jul 2000 09:21:01 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008501 > >>On Sat, 01 Jul 2000 16:34:37 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008500 >> >>>On Sun, 25 Jun 2000 10:19:56 -0400 >>>Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008494 >> >> /Hm?/ Roland's thoughts flicker a moment. /Oh, GRIFE!/ Roland >>blushes (tm). (OOC: Wottheheck, I was feeling nostalgic. ;^) There's >>another flicker of thought. A pair of images (that might be revealed >>later in the Risque Room--or maybe not ) flit through the link >>VERY briefly before Roland clamps down _hard._ The Sim-Roland >>flickers slightly. > >Even Zia's control of expression doesn't suffice to completely >conceal the involuntary smirk. "Gee, even _those_ preferences are so >... controlled. Maybe that is the 'Secret' of being a real four-color >hero." She cocks her head, and considers him with an amused glance. >"Nope. I'll never fit that particular mold." Then she laughs. /Er, it's definitely not for everyone,/ Roland replies, and the more perceptive mentalists can catch him thinking wryly that four-color heroics traditionally has a high percentage of damsels in distress in its cosms... >"Well, SOME of us enjoy the culinary delights of being >flesh-and-blood." She gets an odd look, "Or whatever I might be at >the time. I still need to derive my energy the old, slow, chemical >bonds way, rather than just 'absorbing it out of the ether'. You >know, sometimes, Roland, you're as weird as the rest of this crew." >She pauses, then adds more softly, "I mean that in a completely >complimentary way, actually." "He has taken it that way, I assure you," Sim-Roland replies with a gentle smile. "When people start regarding him as normal, then he/I will begin to worry. Though his biological form is quite capable of gaining sustenance from food as well as energy. My holographic form is another matter." The smile broadens slightly. "I would recommend a light snack on the 1200 range of AM transmission before dismissing energy 'flavor,' however." >She proceeds to get a lumberjack's sort of meal. Tall pancake stack, >two-eyed with eggs on the top, maple syrup, and lots of butter. Then >she chases it with a big, rare steak. Perhaps she has been advised by >the First Gray Lensman on exact recovery methods after combating the >Eddore/Ploor? She has excellent frontier table manners. Not once does >she stand on her chair to reach anything, and every thing she takes, >she eats. :) Oh, and she uses her Lens when her mouth happens to be >full. :) The Sim-Roland wavers like a flag in a heavy storm--apparently, that meal is inspiring. Elsewhere, Roland's stomach rumbles as he pounds on the Black Paladin. >"They're doing a trial to get the Engineer?? That sounds a bit... >weirder than normal, even for the CAoL." She waits to get updated >from someone. "Bizzare. Well. I'm trained as a Fair Witness, but I >don't think I've witnessed anything that can be useful. If it's >purely an examination trial, normal procedure would allow a time >period between that and the actual judgement and decision, too, if >that's at all helpful." "A Fair Witness? She's full of surprises, is our Ziactrice," Sim-Roland says, not exactly to anyone present (but not exactly to him/itself, either). ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:54:05 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:07:13 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008572 >On 07-19-2000 at 16:18:56 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008566 > >>On Wed, 19 Jul 2000 05:39:02 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008564 >> >>/Never mind. I must still be off-balance. I'll go get checked up./ >>She rolls out of bed, obviously there won't be much resting after >>thoughts like that, and wanders off to see what this place has in >>the way of a sickbay. > > Do you have any nanotech normally in your system?> >"Biogenic Types tend to reproduce fastest, > While The Technogenic types tend to be sturdier." Zia cocks her head, interested and glad the explanation isn't too 'over her head' technically. >"Our most effective long term counter for most >Biogenic NanoTech, > Is a Dermal/Mucosal colony of Benign Technogenic >Nanites, > As a Plus most Airborn and simple contact >infections are blocked, > It also prevents acne... Zia _grins_. "Gee, I guess it's kinda obvious. I am a bit vain, yes." > The Unavoidable limitation is that, > A large enough group of attacking nanites can >overwhelm the defense, > At least on a local basis, but even then they >would be slowed down." Her grin vanishes without a trace. "Yes... although I believe the Plooran's little toys reached some threshold minimum 'population', unfortunately before my current nano, which is neither programmed for 'offensive defense' nor is at the skin surface, could react." >"Our most effective counter for Technogenic >NanoTech, > Is a Projector which emits a special wave pattern, > Which will shatter most Technogenic Nanites, > At ranges of up to one foot. > Potential draw backs: > Technogenic Nanites might carry Toxins which would >be released, > The projector would damage Benign Technogenic >colonies, and > Some Nano-Detailed Devices would be damaged or >interfered with." "Ouch." She ponders. "I think I'd better get a second opinion on that, first, from Nemo. It sounds to my untrained ear that such a 'cure' might hurt me worse than most of the 'diseases' the use might be aimed at preventing." >" We can give you a treatment now which will setup, > The Defense for Biogenic Nanites, And > We have Ingested, Aerosol, or topical Cream >Boosters available > For use as needed. "I want to be assured that there won't be interaction of any negative sort between the functional augmentations I already have, and this one you're proposing to add. Nano-allergies are really nasty." > You should remember to apply the Booster to the >effected area, > As Soon As Possible after Each use of the >Projector." "I want to talk to Nemo first. It seems rather cludged to me. There should be a method to make the enemy nano disfunction without exploding it, or at the very least, contain both the Projector's effect and the toxic dust after-problem." Zia frowns slightly, "But I'm not well-versed enough with this sort of advanced technology to express my idea properly. Perhaps I'll have to bring in Sheila, but I imagine Nemo can provide some solution that will make my resorting to an understudy unnecessary." >"The Nanite colonies and the Nanites in the Booster, > Would be tailored to your Natural Bioenergy field, > This will allow them to funtion nearly any where >you can, > It will also cause them to shut down if removed >from your system." "Shut down? Judging solely from the propensity of CAoL-enemies to derivate attacks from collected knowledge methods, I'd vastly prefer they didn't shut down, but disassembled to atoms as quickly as possible. The quantity of elements might still be telling, but I prefer to operate as 'black' as possible to those sorts of scum." >"You should return every year or so, > For Updates and Maintenance, > Or after any major Test of the System for a >Checkup, > Just to be sure nothing managed to get by your >defences." "My... travel plans aren't always under my complete control to that extent." Her voice has more than a trace of irony, but she goes on more matter-of-fact. "Is there any practical way to include a monitor and self-repairing subsystem?" Zia P.S. Nemo can feel free to jump in at any point; I feel more than a bit over my depth already! :) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:54:13 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:21:02 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008573 >On Wed, 19 Jul 2000 20:17:10 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008567 > > "A Fair Witness? She's full of surprises, is our Ziactrice," >Sim-Roland says, not exactly to anyone present (but not exactly to >him/itself, either). Zia snorts, "Talking about me in third person is likely to get you surprised in ways undreamt of in your holographic philosophies, Simmie." Her ice-blue eyes spark with decided and purely female threat, the sort men generally enjoy bringing down on themselves, that is. "Roland might be safely married, but _you're_ just a simulation. Don't push your luck, or..." Without warning, she'll stand up and smooch the projection, intermeshing as well as she can through psionic energy manipulation. He had already divulged that effects him, although Zia's abilities in that line are decidedly on the modest side of the range. She attempts to make up what she lacks in power with sheer gungho, and empathy which she has quite a bit more ability with. Zia ================================= Subject: AAE6c: Medical Technology Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 12:05:12 -0700 (PDT) On 07-20-2000 at 11:49:18 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008576 >On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:07:13 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008572 > >>On 07-19-2000 at 16:18:56 >>Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008566 >> >>>On Wed, 19 Jul 2000 05:39:02 -0700 (PDT) >>>Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008564 > >technology scaled that small, but it's not exactly for 'warfare' >specifically. She has two sorts, both built by advanced 'humanoid' >cultures of only about a GURPS TL 12 or so, if I recall the system >correctly. I took David Weber's Fleet bio-enhancements literally from >his book _Mutineer's Moon_. I have full details on the alloy-coated >skeleton, augmented (and computer-buffered) senses, and >oxygen-supplement fuel cell if you want in addition to the 'nanotech' >pieces. I have the Books handy, I thought I remembered that someone had that, but I was not sure it was you. >Of the purely 'nano-scale', the more extensive of the two acts >basically a colloid tissue stabilization matrix, of variable strength >and interlocked support. In plainer terms, she has lots of litle bots >in the soft tissue, skin and muscle that 'firms' that tissue to >whatever degree is needed so her augmented strength won't damage HER >more than whatever she is lifting or hitting, etc. Nifty >The other nano was built specifically for her by a 'mad >scientist-genius' sort who she is on very good terms with. Basically, >this one acts as an emotional interface and control, consisting of >_lots_ of tiny gold bugs that sheath nerve fiber bundles and such. >They can 'polarize' to allow in only emotions of certain >'wavelengths', completely opaque her from external emotional energy >(creating visible gold spiral/circuitry looking marks on her skin - >she's never done it around the CAoL yet), augment ambient emotions, >or create new 'programmed' emotional responses complete with tactile >sensorial data. Her psionic ability is very heavily lop-sided toward >empathy, with only a smidgeon of actual telepathy, telekinesis, and >traces of precognition and such. So, this system is both defense, >control, and a way to experiment with it. This system could easily be >turned into a projective empathic weapon, but Zia doesn't use it that >way, from all the evidence of it's structure. It's also programmed >with some relatively fierce 'Black Ice' against infiltration - which >is automatically linked to the 'danger/threat' of Zia's reaction - >and obviously isn't of HER design. Too viscious for what even the >Castle Systems know about her personality.> Very Nifty Thank You. End OOC> >>"Our most effective long term counter for most >>Biogenic NanoTech, >> Is a Dermal/Mucosal colony of Benign Technogenic >>Nanites, >> As a Plus most Airborn and simple contact >>infections are blocked, >> It also prevents acne... > >Zia _grins_. "Gee, I guess it's kinda obvious. I am a bit vain, yes." "Actually It was not mentioned with any intent to have, Relevance to you personally, Mearly compleatness of Data." >Her grin vanishes without a trace. "Yes... although I believe the >Plooran's little toys reached some threshold minimum 'population', >unfortunately before my current nano, which is neither programmed for >'offensive defense' nor is at the skin surface, could react." "Understandable, The Diagnostics indicate that you current Nano, Was not designed to cope with this Problem." >"Ouch." She ponders. "I think I'd better get a second opinion on >that, first, from Nemo. It sounds to my untrained ear that such a >'cure' might hurt me worse than most of the 'diseases' the use might >be aimed at preventing." "Yes, It looks like that projector might be a Very bad idea for you." "The Primary reason for mentioning it was that, You may want to be aware that the Technology is Available." >"I want to be assured that there won't be interaction of any negative >sort between the functional augmentations I already have, and this >one you're proposing to add. Nano-allergies are really nasty." "We have retrieved the Recognition patterns, From your Current NanoSets, by Reading the Physical Structure remotely, The Sensor in that Chair Read down to the Nuclear Scale." >"I want to talk to Nemo first. It seems rather cludged to me. There >should be a method to make the enemy nano disfunction without >exploding it, or at the very least, contain both the Projector's >effect and the toxic dust after-problem." Zia frowns slightly, "But >I'm not well-versed enough with this sort of advanced technology to >express my idea properly. Perhaps I'll have to bring in Sheila, but I >imagine Nemo can provide some solution that will make my resorting to >an understudy unnecessary." "I will page Lady Nemisis as well, She may have other methods unavailable to us." >"Shut down? Judging solely from the propensity of CAoL-enemies to >derivate attacks from collected knowledge methods, I'd vastly prefer >they didn't shut down, but disassembled to atoms as quickly as >possible. The quantity of elements might still be telling, but I >prefer to operate as 'black' as possible to those sorts of scum." "Of Course, That is the Surest method of Permanent Shutdown." >"My... travel plans aren't always under my complete control to that >extent." Her voice has more than a trace of irony, but she goes on >more matter-of-fact. "Is there any practical way to include a monitor >and self-repairing subsystem?" "There is, but We were trying to avoid Implanting, a Nanite Production Facility, That is an option at your request. Benefits: No need for any source of external boosters, To replenish the Supply of Nanites. The Production Facility can be made immune to the Projector. Drawbacks: While Access to the Elemental Planes is Available, There would be no drain on your resources, However Should that be cut off for any length of time, You would need a Disable Command, For use when Metabolic Resources can not be spared. This could easily be added to the Command Processor, Which you already have." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 16:14:36 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 14:50:16 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008577 >On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:07:13 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008572 > >It's also programmed with some relatively fierce 'Black Ice' against >infiltration - which is automatically linked to the 'danger/threat' >of Zia's reaction - and obviously isn't of HER design. Too >viscious for what even the Castle Systems know about her >personality.> Ah. That scratches my first suggestion for defenses. I was going to ask if it was possible for Zia to shift realities in such a manner as to make it impossible for nanotach (or whatever else) to function. Looks like that's not a viable option. :-) >Zia _grins_. "Gee, I guess it's kinda obvious. I am a bit vain, yes." >Her grin vanishes without a trace. "Yes... although I believe the >Plooran's little toys reached some threshold minimum 'population', >unfortunately before my current nano, which is neither programmed for >'offensive defense' nor is at the skin surface, could react." "Sounds like your nanoware and your immune system could use some 'programming upgrades'" comments Nemo. >"Ouch." She ponders. "I think I'd better get a second opinion on >that, first, from Nemo. It sounds to my untrained ear that such a >'cure' might hurt me worse than most of the 'diseases' the use might >be aimed at preventing." "I'd advise against it" :-) "Though it might be interesting to see if your existent systems can be programmed to generate such a field themselves at the micro level. Of course, lasers and the like are probably simpler, and just as effective in nanite to nanite combat." >"I want to talk to Nemo first. It seems rather cludged to me. There >should be a method to make the enemy nano disfunction without >exploding it, or at the very least, contain both the Projector's >effect and the toxic dust after-problem." Zia frowns slightly, "But >I'm not well-versed enough with this sort of advanced technology to >express my idea properly. Perhaps I'll have to bring in Sheila, but I >imagine Nemo can provide some solution that will make my resorting to >an understudy unnecessary." "Your nanites should be equipped with a toxin identification and removal routine. One useful option for such is depositing metals as reinforcement of the fingernails. If you arewilling to accept an increased requirement for iron in your diet, you can have a permenant set of rather nice steel fingernails, with your choice of enameling on the exposed surfaces. Both decorative and useful." >"Shut down? Judging solely from the propensity of CAoL-enemies to >derivate attacks from collected knowledge methods, I'd vastly prefer >they didn't shut down, but disassembled to atoms as quickly as >possible. The quantity of elements might still be telling, but I >prefer to operate as 'black' as possible to those sorts of scum." "I'd recommend a low level 'containment field'" to keep them from being shed at all. It would also enable them to collect shed hairs and skin flakes. The resulting organic sludge can either be reprocessed if you have the energy to spare, or processed for energy if you can't spare energy. The resulting waste from that won't tell anyone anything useful. Can you say 'maximal entropy chemical mix'?" "This is very useful in avoiding those tell-tale DNA traces. And other wastes can be treated in a similar manner." >"My... travel plans aren't always under my complete control to that >extent." Her voice has more than a trace of irony, but she goes on >more matter-of-fact. "Is there any practical way to include a monitor >and self-repairing subsystem?" "Well, you could 'learn' to self-monitor. But you'd not be able to do much else while doing it." "Nanite systems must have some self-repair capability, but it has to be limited to avoid accidental 'evolutionary drift'. People with too much of the monitoring done at the nanite level have been known to wind up the slaves of nanite civilizations that consider them to be 'the world'." ================================= Subject: AAE6c: Medical Technology Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 22:35:17 -0700 (PDT) On 07-20-2000 at 22:13:30 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008579 >On 07-20-2000 at 11:49:18 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00008576 > "Your nanites should be equipped with a toxin identification and >removal routine. One useful option for such is depositing metals as >reinforcement of the fingernails. If you arewilling to accept an >increased requirement for iron in your diet, you can have a permenant >set of rather nice steel fingernails, with your choice of enameling >on the exposed surfaces. Both decorative and useful." End Insert> >"I will page Lady Nemisis as well, > She may have other methods unavailable to us." > > The Quantum Technologies.> Nemisis Arrives, " That could easily be added to the Dermal/Mucosal Colony." "I'd recommend a low level 'containment field'" to keep them from >being shed at all. It would also enable them to collect shed hairs >and skin flakes. The resulting organic sludge can either be >reprocessed if you have the energy to spare, or processed for energy >if you can't spare energy. The resulting waste from that won't tell >anyone anything useful. Can you say 'maximal entropy chemical mix'?" > >"This is very useful in avoiding those tell-tale DNA traces. And >other wastes can be treated in a similar manner." End Insert> " The issue is not that they would be shed, It is that they are Keyed to the Individual, They would be a damaging to anyone else." Nemisis Adds "Such Containment Fields themselves are generally Rather Detectable, However with a Slight Adjustment to your current Implants, Such Containment would be a controllable option." "Well, you could 'learn' to self-monitor. But you'd not be able to do >much else while doing it." > >"Nanite systems must have some self-repair capability, but it has to >be limited to avoid accidental 'evolutionary drift'. People with too >much of the monitoring done at the nanite level have been known to >wind up the slaves of nanite civilizations that consider them to be >'the world'." End Insert> Offended Tone: "Sir, We would never Release Anything which had that potential, Specific Prohibitions are Built into our base Structure." Nemisis Adds "That built in Prohibition does Limit the degree of Adaptation, Which can be Implemented without Supervisory Updates... Which in turn Should be done, By Competent Medical NanoTech Specialists..." >"There is, but > We were trying to avoid Implanting, > a Nanite Production Facility, > That is an option at your request. >Benefits: > No need for any source of external boosters, > To replenish the Supply of Nanites. > The Production Facility can be made immune to the Projector. >Drawbacks: > While Access to the Elemental Planes is Available, > There would be no drain on your resources, However > Should that be cut off for any length of time, > You would need a Disable Command, > For use when Metabolic Resources can not be spared. > This could easily be added to the Command Processor, > Which you already have." Nemisis Comments "The recommended Annual Check-up/Tune-up, Can be viewed as, 'If it has been over a Year, and You have the Time, It could not hurt to stop by...' Continuing with "The Production Facility could be either Centralized or Not, I would recommend the Decentralized Model, as That Gives Redundancy, and With Three or More Nodes Cross Checking the Chance of Drift, Is Further Reduced." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VIe: An Amazing Simulation Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 20:14:05 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 24 Jul 2000 20:07:18 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008588 >On Mon, 3 Jul 2000 22:49:27 -0400 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00008506 > >The unmistakable mental "voice" of the Sentinel-Lensdragon is, once >again heard over the CAoL psi-web-link /Hey, bro, if you are planning >to spend an appricatively lengthy amount of time in the Wheel of Time >Cosm, see if you can pick me up a Mark Heron Sword while you are >there. Also, remember to avoid time-loops! That Cosm is rife with >them!/ /Sib,/ Roland chuckles, /if I were good enough to have earned a Heron-marked sword, you'd have seen me wearing one by now. As for the time-loops, I avoid most ter'angreal--especially the time-twisting ones--like the plague./ Morgan almost giggles. /Hm. Maybe _I_ could get him a sword./ Roland stops in his mental tracks. /_That'd_ work./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 15:48:00 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 25 Jul 2000 18:23:56 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00008592 (Note: Laptop blew up Thursday last. Just picked up backlog Tuesday. Hence the delays. Still rebuilding the HD, and using outdated software.....) << > Zia _grins_. "Gee, I guess it's kinda obvious. I am a > bit vain, yes." >> For no apparent reason, at this very moment all the currently-extant Rogers suffer severe facefaults. After peeling his selfs off the floor/ground/deck/whatever, all of him look a bit shaky. When asked what happened: "I haven't got a clue. But there was this fhuge disturbance in the Farce..." ================================= Subject: AAE VI: Pre7z - Not so R&Rish (was Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0) Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 08:56:29 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 30 Jul 2000 11:24:08 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008597 I'm Finally Back. Since we're not in Refuge, not in the Judgment thread-plot, and not in AAE6c's storyline, I decided to finally swap the subject line over to my alphanumeric pun of earlier posting. Roland, I hope you don't mind and I've tried to include enough to keep our places; Morgan, I am leaving in the 'was' in the subject so you can hopefully reassemble for a later compilation without extraordinary difficulty. >On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 08:01:46 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008575 > > Responding as quickly as possible before going to Comic-Con (I'll >respond to 'Amazing Simulation' when we get back...hoo-boy)... Still looking forward to that. :) >>On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:54:30 -0700 (PDT) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00008574 >> >>>On Wed, 19 Jul 2000 20:33:31 -0700 >>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008569 >>> >>>>On Wed, 19 Jul 2000 05:39:02 -0700 (PDT) >>>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00008564 {Zia had sent over the link.} >>>>to use Rio's example, how would YOU feel if you were say, Hitler's >>>>_son_? Is there anything you could ever do, to lift that terrible >>>>knowledge off your soul?/ >>> >>> /Don't ask what some of _my_ ancestors have done,/ Roland says >>>coldly. /Zia, you're an _Amberite,_ for Light's sake. I don't >>>believe in original sin, my reaction on meeting you >>>notwithstanding./ >> >>Zia has been practicing. Even being an empath as she is, only the >>briefest hint of how deep that comment cuts her is on the Lenslink >>before she drops it utterly for a very noticeable time to recover. >>Almost a full three seconds later, she comes 'back'. > > And even Roland notices, for all his usual obliviousness. >/Hitler's...son. Grife. I goofed, didn't I?/ > >>/I have never asked./ She state drivenly, in a tone that would be >>cold even on the surface of Pluto. /I know what I am, even though >>you insist on telling me. Repeatedly. Although it sounds more like >>epithet than else. Do you even realize how _hypocritical_ your >>words sound?!?/ Her jaw tightens, and she drops the Lenslink and >>shakes her head. "Gads, I'm so tired of >that." > > /Zia-!/ Roland sighs. /Yep. I goofed. Morgan, drop a 16 ton block >on me later, ok-/ > The Paladin (riding a giant black dragon) obliges. > "Sloppy, shining one," Black Paladin replies, leering through his >helmet. "You-" He stops, both rider and dragon recoiling at the >expression visible through the Defender's faceplate. > "Paladin...I don't have _time_ for this." > zzzzKOW!!! > >>Then she strips off her Lens. Zia lays the dead-black dormant Lens >>on a bedside table, as this place is fairly secure such dangerous >>items can be left in the open. >> >>>>She rolls out of bed, obviously there won't be much resting after >>>>thoughts like that, and wanders off to see what this place has in >>>>the way of a sickbay. >>> >>> Sim-Roland follows obediently until told otherwise. >> >>"Y'know, Simmie, sometimes it just don't pay to GO to bed, even more >>than getting out of it in the morning." > > "I have gotten that impression," Sim-R says, deadpan. Then he >wavers. > "Zia! Zia, I'm _sorry!_ That's not what I meant! What I meant >was--well--you." Zia obviously didn't think Roland would have time to update his sim while engaged in heavy combat, the surprise flickering through mild distaste as the apology comes out. Then she gets some hold of her reaction, and she turns to wait, markedly polite, while the simulation has its chance to explain. > If given a chance/request to explain, or continue, he does. "Every >Amberite I ever met was a manipulative bastard at _best._ Julian was >the nicest of them, and he stuck a sword through my gut once 'just to >see what would happen.' Then I met you." The petite Amberite politely clenches her jaw at this 'paint with broad brush' unflattering description of her family... or is it her race? That would a be a point for a scientist to settle, really, wouldn't it? She deliberately loosens her jaw, makes sure her eyes aren't reflecting any of her inner reaction that is unfavorable. Zia has decided to work it through in whatever the best style she can manage is. > "Zia, you have never been anything less than courageous, polite, >and loyal, even when you've felt that the feeling was not returned in >kind. I meant what I said--I don't believe in original sin, and >you're _not_ responsible for the actions of your family." Roland >smiles ruefully. Ziactrice does her level best to not show her own real reaction to this. She does have to work well with Roland and the CAoL. He doesn't _intend_ to be a prig when he is telling her what she has to be responsible for and not. She is getting a little fed up with his decidedly paternalistic attitude after learning her age, but there seems not to be a way to say that without creating yet more tension between them. "Some of my ancestors, as I've mentioned, are no winners. I sincerely hope I'm not going to be held accountable for _them_ if/when I find out what lies beyond real death." "Odd thought for an Immortal." She says, off-hand, then shrugs one shoulder. "All right, your rather left-handed apology is accepted on one marked condition." She adds, keeping her voice just as MILD and neutral as she possibly can, to try not inflict further tension beyond what she must convey. She just draws herself up to her full five foot four, and looks strangely settled and calm. If Roland's ever had to deal with his genre's version of Benedict, little mental warning bells might start going off about now. "Stop insulting my family. At least, stop doing so TO me. And _please do_ stop painting me lily-white in actions. I know perfectly well that my actions are not as one-sidedly good as you just said. As well as I know my family isn't as one-sidedly 'bad' as you see them, either. I would point out that stereotyping an entire race, then saying the ONE you actually get to know well is completely different seems very like what is defined as a _racial prejudice_ but since you've already denied that is how you feel, I shall accept your word on the issue." "I do want to tell you clearly. I am a knighted defender of Amber, Roland Phoenix, and I carry a sword. While you might have more latitude than I'd allow another acquaintance, being something akin to a vanishing distant cadet branch of the family, you're treading the limit often. If you continue to name my blood-kin as 'manipulative bastards at best' to my very face, it shall go very hard to continue any association at all with you. If you can't understand why, I can't explain." She pauses, then adds more softly. "But I don't think you'd like the impression of yourself it portrays to me. I firmly believe that bloodshed is the very last resort, so I would depart and not return if you cannot accept this condition. If you are in doubt as to just _why_ I might feel this way, given your utter conviction that none - " She breaks off to blink, then nods, "or perhaps, only I, amongst the royal blood of Amber is worthy of the dust on your feet, I respectfully suggest you speak to your wife about how HER people deal with this sort of insult. I believe it involves swords, unless I'm mistaken." Ziactrice In Her Very Best High Court Manners ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VI: Pre7z - Not so R&Rish (was Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Date: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 13:51:20 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 30 Jul 2000 13:36:27 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008598 >On Sun, 30 Jul 2000 11:24:08 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008597 > >>On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 08:01:46 -0700 >>Roland X Said: As CAoL Message # 00008575 >> >> Responding as quickly as possible before going to Comic-Con (I'll >>respond to 'Amazing Simulation' when we get back...hoo-boy)... > > Still looking forward to that. :) OOC: Not sure if that would be appropriate at this point. >>>On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 06:54:30 -0700 (PDT) >>>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00008574 >> "Some of my ancestors, as I've mentioned, are no winners. I >>sincerely hope I'm not going to be held accountable for _them_ >>if/when I find out what lies beyond real death." > >"Odd thought for an Immortal." She says, off-hand, then shrugs one >shoulder. Roland smiles lopsidedly, apparently sympathizing with _that_ commentary. >"All right, your rather left-handed apology is accepted on one marked >condition." She adds, keeping her voice just as MILD and neutral as >she possibly can, to try not inflict further tension beyond what she >must convey. Roland raises one eyebrow, and it's fairly obvious that he's wondering, 'left-handed?' But he seems willing to go along with her at this point. >She just draws herself up to her full five foot four, and looks >strangely settled and calm. If Roland's ever had to deal with his >genre's version of Benedict, little mental warning bells might start >going off about now. [Oh, grife. Not again.] >"Stop insulting my family. At least, stop doing so TO me. And _please >do_ stop painting me lily-white in actions. I know perfectly well >that my actions are not as one-sidedly good as you just said. As well >as I know my family isn't as one-sidedly 'bad' as you see them, >either. I would point out that stereotyping an entire race, then >saying the ONE you actually get to know well is completely different >seems very like what is defined as a _racial prejudice_ but since >you've already denied that is how you feel, I shall accept your word >on the issue." Roland blinked, then slowly breathed (or at least, that's what the sim showed as his reaction, and given the control method, it seems likely that it's just displaying his responses) and made his own face as mild and calm as he could, almost matching Zia's. >"I do want to tell you clearly. I am a knighted defender of Amber, >Roland Phoenix, and I carry a sword. While you might have more >latitude than I'd allow another acquaintance, being something akin to >a vanishing distant cadet branch of the family, you're treading the >limit often. If you continue to name my blood-kin as 'manipulative >bastards at best' to my very face, it shall go very hard to continue >any association at all with you. If you can't understand why, I can't >explain." She pauses, then adds more softly. Roland starts to respond, but stops as he sees that Zia has more to add. >"But I don't think you'd like the impression of yourself it portrays >to me. I firmly believe that bloodshed is the very last resort, so I >would depart and not return if you cannot accept this condition. If >you are in doubt as to just _why_ I might feel this way, given your >utter conviction that none -" She breaks off to blink, then nods, "or >perhaps, only I, amongst the royal blood of Amber is worthy of the >dust on your feet, I respectfully suggest you speak to your wife >about how HER people deal with this sort of insult. I believe it >involves swords, unless I'm mistaken." And the calm on his face cracks. Roland quivers with--anger? Sadness? Confusion? Some mix of them all? Even an empath such as Zia couldn't tell for sure. Maybe Roland can't. Then he takes _another_ breath, longer this time. "I will try this again," Roland began as evenly as he could. "I said those I've 'met.' I was specifically referring to those people of a realm called Amber whom I have gotten to know. I've been involved with a number of members of the royal family of an Amber _different_ from your own, much to my sorrow in most cases. I considered Julian a friend for a long time, and think of him as an ally even now. He and his wife, you may recall, responded to my call for help on Epsilon III. I do not think you are perfectly 'good,' nor any Amberite purely 'evil.' "I admit that the way I phrased my feelings was...less than ideal...but I was _attempting_ to apologize for an unfortunate turn of phrase." Roland noticed his voice beginning to thicken with emotion, and forced himself to return to a calm tone. "I'm not perfect, I don't have an eidetic memory, and my _personal_dealings_ with several members of some that might be considered part of your family have colored my emotions. I won't promise what I can't deliver. I _will_ promise to _try_ to avoid commenting on Amberites as a whole--even the ones I've dealt with personally, as a group, since that seems to offend you as well--but that's the best I can do. "As the leader of this motley group, I can't afford to let my personal feelings create a division among my friends. We seem to have some difficulty with keeping our feelings out of our relationship. Thus, I think it best if we keep our interaction...professional...for the foreseeable future. Or at least, insofar as _I_ can guess about the future. Roland sighed deeply. "If that isn't good enough, I'll miss you." (OOC: This stuff happens over the course of days IC, but months IRL. Depending on Zia's response, I may need the occasional reminder if she agrees with Roland on that last part.) /And by the way, "my people",/ Morgan sends, emphasizing the "broad stroke," /among friends...or among acquaintances of generally favorable nature, since you seem to have a tendency to correct any of this group who imply you're a friend...are more likely to settle insults with a fist fight followed by a companionable drink together. I can understand your mistaken impression, though, considering the image of my "race" that's come down through history./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VI: Pre7z - Not so R&Rish (was Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 08:13:07 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 31 Jul 2000 07:24:32 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008599 >On Sun, 30 Jul 2000 13:36:27 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008598 > "As the leader of this motley group, I can't afford to let my >personal feelings create a division among my friends. We seem to have >some difficulty with keeping our feelings out of our relationship. >Thus, I think it best if we keep our interaction ... professional ... >for the foreseeable future. Or at least, insofar as _I_ can guess >about the future. > Roland sighed deeply. "If that isn't good enough, I'll miss you." > (OOC: This stuff happens over the course of days IC, but months >IRL. Depending on Zia's response, I may need the occasional reminder >if she agrees with Roland on that last part.) > >/And by the way, "my people",/ Morgan sends, emphasizing the "broad >stroke," /among friends...or among acquaintances of generally >favorable nature, since you seem to have a tendency to correct any of >this group who imply you're a friend...are more likely to settle >insults with a fist fight followed by a ompanionable drink together. >I can understand your mistaken impression, though, considering the >image of my "race" that's come down through history./ Zia just shakes her head, sadly. "Well, I have no intention of getting in a fistfight with Roland. I doubt it would help, everyone ELSE would get upset at me, and he hates hitting women. One hatred I think I can safely encourage and like. I don't think he even drinks as much as I do. I was thinking more of how they settled with folks calling their clan chiefs bastards at best, more than else, Morgan." "Perhaps your using ME as a base point of comparison, Roland, rather obscured the fact that you were referring to Ambers of another Shadow, rather than my own? You might see where I'd have reason for... my confusion." She says, carefully. "Of course, you haven't met the same people I have, so you're quite correct to refute me." She shrugs. "I'll follow your request to be more... professional in the future. I gather that means not to let my personal feelings get in the way. That's fine. By the way, if the CAoL is a friends-only allowed party, I do wish you'd inform me so. If I am giving so great an offense to Morgan, and perhaps the others, by not allowing ties that I cannot allow, I will find somewhere else to combat chaos in Shadow. I have plenty of places to go, if I am unsuitable to here." "Although," she pauses, becoming rather reflective, "I do not understand how one of you can say 'be more professional' and the other can say 'you won't let us be friends!' and both of you consider each contradictory instruction and complaint both valid and pertinent." "Should I just bluntly point out just how dangerous it might be, to me personally, should news of my association with someone declaring vociferiously against the rulers of Amber get back to my homeland? Perhaps you and I know of more than one Amber, Roland, but even in mine, I doubt the Crown rests so easy on the head that bears it that such news would bring no more than polite questions my way." Her tone is gently ironic. "Of course, you're not near the actual work of a governing body, especially a royal courts ins and outs. I shan't trouble you with that sort of notion further." Zia smiles then keeps walking down the corridor. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VI: Pre7z - Not so R&Rish (was Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 09:16:22 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 31 Jul 2000 09:11:03 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00008600 >On Mon, 31 Jul 2000 07:24:32 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008599 > >>On Sun, 30 Jul 2000 13:36:27 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00008598 > >Zia just shakes her head, sadly. "Well, I have no intention of >getting in a fistfight with Roland. I doubt it would help, everyone >ELSE would get upset at me, and he hates hitting women. One hatred I >think I can safely encourage and like. I don't think he even drinks >as much as I do. I was thinking more of how they settled with folks >calling their clan chiefs bastards at best, more than else, Morgan." /I didn't say you should get in a fistfight with Roland,/ Morgan sighs. /I was just saying that Highlander's don't always, or even primarily, answer insults with steel. And you're right--with Roland, the drink would likely be a vanilla shake, and he'd _much_ rather skip the fighting part,/ she smiles. >"I'll follow your request to be more... professional in the future. I >gather that means not to let my personal feelings get in the way. >That's fine. By the way, if the CAoL is a friends-only allowed party, >I do wish you'd inform me so. If I am giving so great an offense to >Morgan, and perhaps the others, by not allowing ties that I cannot >allow, I will find somewhere else to combat chaos in Shadow. I have >plenty of places to go, if I am unsuitable to here." Morgan "feels" confused. /Did I sound offended? Sorry, I didn't mean to. Can you admit, Zia, that someone might consider you a friend even if they know you wouldn't use the term yourself? If not, what term would you prefer we use? If I've offended _you_ by thinking of you in friendly terms, then I apologize./ >"Although," she pauses, becoming rather reflective, "I do not >understand how one of you can say 'be more professional' and the >other can say 'you won't let us be friends!' and both of you consider >each contradictory instruction and complaint both valid and >pertinent." /I belive,/ Morgan sends, /That Roland was suggesting "keeping your interaction professional for the foreseeable future" so that he would not find himself inadvertently insulting you so often. He really doesn't mean it--being insulting, I mean--and I know it hurts him every time it happens./ /And I wasn't saying "let's be friends",/ Morgan adds. /I started to comment on how the Highlanders I knew dealt with things among friends. Then I realized that you might assume that my choice of words was implying that you were a friend, and that you'd counter by saying you weren't one, so I tried to clarify my explanation./ Morgan pauses. /And what I just said doesn't mean I'm not saying "let's be friends," I mean, I'm _not_ saying "Let's _not_ be friends,"..../ she breaks off, with the feeling that she'd better stop that line before she makes things worse in the process of trying to make them better. /Jeez,/ Morgan smiles, shaking her virtual head. She is obviously trying _very_ hard to make sure that no sharpness, sarcasm, or any other negative tone creeps into her mental voice, because none is intended. /I can see why Roland gets frustrated. Talking to you can feel like walking through a verbal mine field. You take offence where none is intended, and you have a disconcerting way of taking people's words in the worst possible light./ She sighs. /I've probably just said something else you'll find unpalatable, too. I don't know if it's me, or you, or the communication method, or what. I'm not trying to insult you. I consider you to be a friend, or the nearest equivalent you're comfortable with. I don't know how else to say it./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE VI: Pre7z - Not so R&Rish (was Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 19:28:52 -0700 (PDT) On Mon, 31 Jul 2000 22:11:30 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008601 >On Mon, 31 Jul 2000 09:11:03 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00008600 > >/I didn't say you should get in a fistfight with Roland,/ Morgan >sighs. /I was just saying that Highlander's don't always, or even >primarily, answer insults with steel. And you're right--with Roland, >the drink would likely be a vanilla shake, and he'd _much_ rather >skip the fighting part,/ she smiles. Zia blinks. /Then perhaps I misunderstood your reply to my comment completely. You just wanted to correct my historicity, not propone a possible solution... or defend _your_ ancestors from a malefasance?/ The last with a touch of irony, but not pointed. More as if to pass something over, and let it go. >Morgan "feels" confused. /Did I sound offended? Sorry, I didn't mean >to. Can you admit, Zia, that someone might consider you a friend even >if they know you wouldn't use the term yourself? If not, what term >would you prefer we use? If I've offended _you_ by thinking of you in >friendly terms, then I apologize./ /It isn't that I find the miscomprehension offensive, it is that I find it better to be forthright than to create in others a false expectation. I would rather have you consider me a favorably-inclined acquaintance, as I cannot fulfill the role you would come to expect were you to imagine me as a friend. Actually, I'm not all that sure I understand what a 'friend' is supposed to be, but I have studied it closely and there are things that I cannot fulfill, as my primary loyalty is not to friends or any other group like the CAoL. If you consider me a friend, and I chose not to help because I must fulfill a duty to Amber, you'll take it very ill, was my consideration./ >/I belive,/ Morgan sends, /That Roland was suggesting "keeping your >interaction professional for the foreseeable future" so that he would >not find himself inadvertently insulting you so often. He really >doesn't mean it--being insulting, I mean--and I know it hurts him >every time it happens./ /I just said that it was my mistaken impression, so I hope that clears things up./ >/Jeez,/ Morgan smiles, shaking her virtual head. She is obviously >trying _very_ hard to make sure that no sharpness, sarcasm, or any >other negative tone creeps into her mental voice, because none is >intended. /I can see why Roland gets frustrated. Talking to you can >feel like walking through a verbal mine field. You take offence where >none is intended, and you have a disconcerting way of taking people's >words in the worst possible light./ She sighs. /I've probably just >said something else you'll find unpalatable, too. I don't know if >it's me, or you, or the communication method, or what. I'm not trying >to insult you. I consider you to be a friend, or the nearest >equivalent you're comfortable with. I don't know how else to say it./ Zia pauses. /Well. I'm troublesome to converse with, I realize. I can only point out, that in light of the circumstances of my environment, such 'difficult' personality traits might be more in the line of protective coloration than you seem to be considering. Not as an excuse, but merely for an explanation if that helps you to understand. Like I said, I'll be more professional. I would consider it... meet, if you will do the same. Perhaps if we do not have personal conversations, the source of the misunderstanding on my side, and the source of both your frustrations will be lessened or negated./ Well, this level of frustration seems to be too deep; I don't mean to upset the players, behind their characters here. Let's try and smooth it over, okay? I don't want to turn the CAoL into a Soap Opera, so was trying to muffle this down and let it die off. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 18:19:51 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 4 Aug 2000 20:30:49 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008603 >On Tue, 25 Jul 2000 18:23:56 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00008592 > ><< > > Zia _grins_. "Gee, I guess it's kinda obvious. I am a > > bit vain, yes." > > > >> > > For no apparent reason, at this very moment all the >currently-extant Rogers suffer severe facefaults. After peeling his >selfs off the floor/ground/deck/whatever, all of him look a bit >shaky. When asked what happened: > "I haven't got a clue. But there was this fhuge disturbance in the >Farce..." Zia, in the midst of oh-so-translated-to-layman descriptions of the perils of nanoware, suddenly GRIMACES, snorts, then grins. She holds her nose, and comes near crossing her eyes, "Oh, my goodness. Did you WHIFF that, Nemo? Nemesis? Something just really... whew... goodness." She fans herself, still half-grinning. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 18:19:56 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 4 Aug 2000 20:43:07 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008604 >On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 14:50:16 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008577 > > >Ah. That scratches my first suggestion for defenses. I was going to >ask if it was possible for Zia to shift realities in such a manner as >to make it impossible for nanotach (or whatever else) to function. > >Looks like that's not a viable option. :-) > >"Sounds like your nanoware and your immune system could use some >'programming upgrades'" comments Nemo. "Was why I came here. I'm normally quite the avoiding medical facilities and personnel type." Zia comments, matter of factly. >"Your nanites should be equipped with a toxin identification and >removal routine. One useful option for such is depositing metals as >reinforcement of the fingernails. If you arewilling to accept an >increased requirement for iron in your diet, you can have a permenant >set of rather nice steel fingernails, with your choice of enameling >on the exposed surfaces. Both decorative and useful." "Ooo?! Sounds rather pretty, but I'm not sure. I use my fingers for ... uhm, other things besides weaponry, more often than as weaponry... and ...." She blushes, "Nails of steel would be rather on the cold and hard side, for uhm." Zia finds the blush is intensifying DESPITE her attempt to control the blood vessels. She is decent at controlling even autonomic and involuntary reactions, but not when flustered sufficiently. "I don't think that would be advisable, as interesting as it sounds, Nemo." She says, trying to sound collected and reflective, instead of embarrassed. >"I'd recommend a low level 'containment field'" to keep them from >being shed at all. It would also enable them to collect shed hairs >and skin flakes. The resulting organic sludge can either be >reprocessed if you have the energy to spare, or processed for energy >if you can't spare energy. The resulting waste from that won't tell >anyone anything useful. Can you say 'maximal entropy chemical mix'?" > >"This is very useful in avoiding those tell-tale DNA traces. And >other wastes can be treated in a similar manner." Zia crooks an eyebrow up. "Now THAT, I'm interested in. I hate blood mages..." >"Nanite systems must have some self-repair capability, but it has to >be limited to avoid accidental 'evolutionary drift'. People with too >much of the monitoring done at the nanite level have been known to >wind up the slaves of nanite civilizations that consider them to be >'the world'." Zia shudders and looks almost sick. "No, I do not want to be the environment wherein nano-cultures wage their ineveitable wars. Ugh. Look what happened to my adopted-Earth, even with the CAoL's help... no sirree. So. Given the limitations of what I'm comfortable with, can we do something modest enough to put the need for monitoring out to a 5-10 year span, teach me how to monitor myself, just in case, and then see what sort of whizbang stuff you tech wizards can pack into the admittedly limited span of those two boundary desires?" Ziactrice P.S. Waiting for the Sevens to catch up, and depart after the Lens of Quatumness. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 03:44:52 -0700 (PDT) On Fri, 4 Aug 2000 23:00:42 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008606 >On Fri, 4 Aug 2000 20:43:07 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008604 > >>On Thu, 20 Jul 2000 14:50:16 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008577 >> >>"Sounds like your nanoware and your immune system could use some >>'programming upgrades'" comments Nemo. > >"Was why I came here. I'm normally quite the avoiding medical >facilities and personnel type." Zia comments, matter of factly. "I never would have guessed" Nemo comments drly. >"Ooo?! Sounds rather pretty, but I'm not sure. I use my fingers for >... uhm, other things besides weaponry, more often than as >weaponry... and ...." She blushes, "Nails of steel would be rather on >the cold and hard side, for uhm." "Ah, there is *that*." Nemo does *not* snicker. >Zia finds the blush is intensifying DESPITE her attempt to control >the blood vessels. She is decent at controlling even autonomic and >involuntary reactions, but not when flustered sufficiently. > >"I don't think that would be advisable, as interesting as it sounds, >Nemo." She says, trying to sound collected and reflective, instead of >embarrassed. "What about toenails? I doubt you use them for *that*, and you seem to be flexible enough that you could use them to cut ropes binding your hands." >>"This is very useful in avoiding those tell-tale DNA traces. And >>other wastes can be treated in a similar manner." > >Zia crooks an eyebrow up. "Now THAT, I'm interested in. I hate blood >mages..." "They'd have less chance of getting a similarity/contagion 'fix' on you than if you'd incerated the wastes." >Zia shudders and looks almost sick. "No, I do not want to be the >environment wherein nano-cultures wage their ineveitable wars. Ugh. >Look what happened to my adopted-Earth, even with the CAoL's help... >no sirree. So. Given the limitations of what I'm comfortable with, >can we do something modest enough to put the need for monitoring out >to a 5-10 year span, teach me how to monitor myself, just in case, >and then see what sort of whizbang stuff you tech wizards can pack >into the admittedly limited span of those two boundary desires?" "As I noted, if you can spare the attention every so often, you can use implanted gear to check out and reprogram the nanos yourself, at least well enough for that, barring major disasters." "To an observer, you'd merely seem to be in deep meditation." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 14:11:55 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 05 Aug 2000 14:16:12 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008607 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008604 >Zia shudders and looks almost sick. "No, I do not want to be the >environment wherein nano-cultures wage their ineveitable wars. Ugh. >Look what happened to my adopted-Earth, even with the CAoL's help... >no sirree. So. Given the limitations of what I'm comfortable with, >can we do something modest enough to put the need for monitoring out >to a 5-10 year span, teach me how to monitor myself, just in case, >and then see what sort of whizbang stuff you tech wizards can pack >into the admittedly limited span of those two boundary desires?" *"Do you insist on using matter and or just matter for the nanites, Zia?"* Aurora asks. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 16:49:13 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 5 Aug 2000 19:01:10 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008608 >On Sat, 05 Aug 2000 14:16:12 -0700 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008607 >*"Do you insist on using matter and or just matter for the nanites, >Zia?"* Aurora asks. The brunette Amberite startles slightly, and looks around, 'I thought she was on Refuge, still. Oh. Ventrioloquism, godlike range. That makes sense. Sort of. I really shouldn't take off my Lens.' She mutters to herself. "I don't understand the question, Aurora." She says, without rancor. After all, she isn't a Cosmic-class (or maybe more?) entity like the Starspawn obviously are. "You'll have to re-phrase what the difference is between matter and whatever "just matter" is. To me, it sounded like you said the same thing, although that might be that I don't have the translator function of my Lens in use right now." Zia glances at Nemo and Nemesis. "Do either one of you understand what she was actually asking?" ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 21:48:14 -0700 (PDT) On Sat, 5 Aug 2000 19:23:40 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008609 >On Sat, 5 Aug 2000 19:01:10 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008608 > >Zia glances at Nemo and Nemesis. "Do either one of you understand >what she was actually asking?" "I believe she was inquiring as to whether you insisted on having the so-called 'nanites' composed of matter and only of matter." "I must confees that I'm somewhat curious as to which of the many possibilities she is thinking of." He grins. "If she suggests 'proto-matter', politely decline and back away slowly..." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2000 08:44:01 -0700 (PDT) On Sun, 6 Aug 2000 08:57:18 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008610 >On Sat, 5 Aug 2000 19:23:40 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008609 >"I believe she was inquiring as to whether you insisted on having the >so-called 'nanites' composed of matter and only of matter." > >"I must confees that I'm somewhat curious as to which of the many >possibilities she is thinking of." > >He grins. "If she suggests 'proto-matter', politely decline and back >away slowly..." > > Zia gives Nemo a look in exchange for his grin, then crinkles her nose at him, "The scariest part is when you're _not_ joking. Or the difficulty in telling the difference...." She grins back, widens her eyes doing the 'innocent look', and then shrugs. "I don't insist on it being standard grade matter, but I do insist on my understanding it's nature well enough not to be hurt by my own ignorance. It's been my observation that people are more often hurt through lack of comprehension on their own parts, than a surfeit of such on the parts of their opponents. The problem with this sort of thing is that I'm an actor, not a super-advanced nanoware specialist. If you lot wonder off beyond the strange and blue quarks, I won't be able to follow. My education barely touched on the lower rungs of quatum physics... and I don't claim to understand what bits and pieces I learned there other than by rote. True grokking did _not_ occur." "You might also want to consider the nature of my abilities, not just my weaknesses, however. I'm not a 'Sherman tank' sort of person; I'm usually the one running away to fight a different day. Or not fight, more often. Defenses, yes, but as light but tight as I can make them. Offensive capability is not my strong suit; I never wanted to be a weapon's deployment platform at all. I do like scouting, and due to my .... uhm, natural abilities, I can search, find, and get out again most of the time before the other side even knows I'm there." "Maybe your suggestion had merit. Could a large, macro-sized nano-complex bot be built that worked entirely on _mechanical principles be built? I could then shift to a shadow where the conservation of energy doesn't happen; entropy is MUCH stronger there. Normal energy-drawing nano would run down like a bad wristwatch. I have also, before, walked to a shadow where the Planck's constant was larger, and diffused myself to drop invading nano right out of my bloodstream." Her tone is just a little TOO level. "I had nightmares for years after that one, though. Diffusing is apparently not kind to the physiology of a five dimensional being." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 14:53:59 -0700 (PDT) On Tue, 08 Aug 2000 14:56:01 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00008611 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008610 > >"Maybe your suggestion had merit. Could a large, macro-sized >nano-complex bot be built that worked entirely on _mechanical >principles be built? I could then shift to a shadow where the >conservation of energy doesn't happen; entropy is MUCH stronger >there. Normal energy-drawing nano would run down like a bad >wristwatch. I have also, before, walked to a shadow where the >Planck's constant was larger, and diffused myself to drop invading >nano right out of my bloodstream." Her tone is just a little TOO >level. "I had nightmares for years after that one, though. Diffusing >is apparently not kind to the physiology of a five dimensional >being." *"Proto matter is, of course, a potential. However, I was thinking more along the lines of energy based, or partially energy based, nanites. Similar to Armegedon. They can be programmed with as much intelligence as you want, and with whatever powers you want incorporated. Upgrading the -hardware- becomes a simple operation, and if you choose to have them be self programming, and maintaining, incorporating new powers becomes a simple operation. Simply -tell- them what you want done, and provide some basic info on, or examples as to how. To allow you to travel in realms where such would be incompatible it would be necessary to build in a -sleep- mode, or a separation mode where they would peel off as you entered that universe, and re-attach as you exited. The separation mode would require them to have inter-universal senses, and travel capability, of course."* Aurora answers. *"Energy supply would be easy, they would absorb as much ambient energy as necessary, and of course they would absorb any energy based attacks."* ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 13:19:40 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 9 Aug 2000 13:06:14 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008612 >On Sun, 6 Aug 2000 08:57:18 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008610 > >"You might also want to consider the nature of my abilities, not just >my weaknesses, however. I'm not a 'Sherman tank' sort of person; I'm >usually the one running away to fight a different day. Or not fight, >more often. Defenses, yes, but as light but tight as I can make them. >Offensive capability is not my strong suit; I never wanted to be a >weapon's deployment platform at all. I do like scouting, and due to >my .... uhm, natural abilities, I can search, find, and get out again >most of the time before the other side even knows I'm there." "You may have noted that this body is 'configured' to seem normal, but also to resist any configuration of forces raised against it unless I desire otherwise." >"Maybe your suggestion had merit. Could a large, macro-sized >nano-complex bot be built that worked entirely on _mechanical >principles be built? "Uh, Zia? Nanites *are* mechanical. They are too small for electronics to work, and quantum effects are best not used, because at that scale they can backfire too easily." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2000 20:25:39 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 9 Aug 2000 19:52:11 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008613 >On Wed, 9 Aug 2000 13:06:14 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008612 > >"Uh, Zia? Nanites *are* mechanical. They are too small for >electronics to work, and quantum effects are best not used, because >at that scale they can backfire too easily." Zia does one of those very brief pauses someone who realizes they've QUITE mis-stepped. "Oh! Oops." Her forehead wrinkles. "But ... I thought, besides the gold 'shields', mine aren't what I'd call mechanical. The basic structures are biological - some ribonuclease - ribbons and various smaller bio-tools." "If nano are mechanical, why does the increase in the Gibbs Free Energy constant between Shadows cause them to, er, 'wind-down', so to speak? More loss of motion or rotational energy run them down like forgetting to wind your pocket watch, or what? Even the biologicals show extra 'aging' effects, but not to the same extreme, to my observation. Which aren't, of course, scientifically valid." Zia frowns. "I don't have the technical grasp for the fancy things you might like to do. Let's go for the most tamper-proof, least requiring of maintenance, and such like, that you can do. If there is no worthwhile gain over my current array of little beasties, well, that's all right. I'd rather ... understand, or at least, believe I grok the state of, any beasties living in me that aren't native to the place." She grins. "Any natural bacteria and such don't worry me; they haven't caused any problem yet. But installing foreigners makes me a bit careful of what goes in." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 03:14:22 -0700 (PDT) On Wed, 9 Aug 2000 22:45:34 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008614 >On Wed, 9 Aug 2000 19:52:11 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Roaming Said As CAoL Message # 00008613 > >Zia does one of those very brief pauses someone who realizes they've >QUITE mis-stepped. "Oh! Oops." Her forehead wrinkles. "But ... I >thought, besides the gold 'shields', mine aren't what I'd call >mechanical. The basic structures are biological - some ribonuclease - >ribbons and various smaller bio-tools." "Vocabulary differences strike again." "What you are describing are something I might call 'tailored virals' rather than 'nanites'. And I'm moderately uncomfortable with such simply because, being related to natural organisms means that they are far more likely to be affected by such." >"If nano are mechanical, why does the increase in the Gibbs Free >Energy constant between Shadows cause them to, er, 'wind-down', so to >speak? More loss of motion or rotational energy run them down like >forgetting to wind your pocket watch, or what? Even the biologicals >show extra 'aging' effects, but not to the same extreme, to my >observation. Which aren't, of course, scientifically valid." "Well, they do use chemical power, as it's usually easier to get power that way, especially with all the sugars and the like in the body, than to build the equivalent of nano-scale batteries or springs." "In some ways, the simpler aspects resemble greatly simplified enzymes. After all, we aren't limited by evolution's need to modify existing forms randomly to find a bettter one. We can design them from first principles." "Of course, this also means that humans designing nano-tech don't have evolution's advantage of basing things on billions of years of tested designs. Which is why human designed nanites need careful control." "Fortunately for this project, I am not human..." >Zia frowns. "I don't have the technical grasp for the fancy things >you might like to do. Let's go for the most tamper-proof, least >requiring of maintenance, and such like, that you can do. If there is >no worthwhile gain over my current array of little beasties, well, >that's all right. I'd rather ... understand, or at least, believe I >grok the state of, any beasties living in me that aren't native to >the place." "I think the scavenger nanites would be simple and effective. All they would do is ensure that anything trying to leave your body had as high an entropy as practical, and consistent with the external environment. That means most organic material would leave as H2O, CO2, N2, etc. Less common non-metals would be converted back to biologically useful forms, and metals would just be accumulated until you decided how to deal with them." "As an added bonus, since all they 'care' about is that the material is present at the surface of your skin, they'll also tend to destroy many invading organisms and hazardous chemicals." "So while you won't be able to wade thru concentrated acid, or breathe nerve gas, you will be able to ignore levels that would kill not any unprotected human." "Well, you actually *could* do those things, if you allow them to exist at levels such that they form a complete 'skin' overlaying your natural skin." "And as you can see, this would mean that you wouldn't leave behind normal traces. No skin oils, no skin flakes, hair samples or even odors. That last includes perfumes. You'll either have to shut down the scavengers or specifically exempt the components of the perfume from processing." "If you wish, they could even be progrmmed with an option to turn the chemicals they are disposing of into perfume, given a sample to analyse. Sweat into perfume..." "But I'd recommend having that as a seperate set of nanites activated when you wish." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE6c: Judgment in Refuge 0 Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 04:39:26 -0700 (PDT) On Thu, 10 Aug 2000 07:24:16 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00008615 >On Wed, 9 Aug 2000 22:45:34 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00008614 > >"What you are describing are something I might call 'tailored virals' >rather than 'nanites'. And I'm moderately uncomfortable with such >simply because, being related to natural organisms means that they >are far more likely to be affected by such." Zia nods, slowly, with an apologetic smile. She knows how much fun an advanced tekkie has explaining (or trying to explain) the principles to those less well-informed. >"Fortunately for this project, I am not human..." She manages to resist the giggle. Barely. >"If you wish, they could even be progrmmed with an option to turn the >chemicals they are disposing of into perfume, given a sample to >analyse. Sweat into perfume..." > >"But I'd recommend having that as a seperate set of nanites activated >when you wish." Zia laughs, softly. "I never have worn perfume. Most of them I find cloying and far too strong, the remainder of which seem to cause an annoying, slight allergy. You've obviously noticed. Okay. I like all your ideas, and I think you're all too well aware of the limits to which I actually understand these things, so let's try it. Mike and Tink are planning the job, but I should probably not make them wait on me too long. If this will take time, we can continue after. Although unless I miss my guess, you're working even as you speak with me to plan, as you normally do. Efficiency isn't human either." She grins michieviously. =================================