Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 9: Nile Empire / Pulp Chapter 10 Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 09:18:11 -0800 Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012291 >On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:10:18 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012281 > >"Wait a minute. Where are Ming's rockets? His armies? For that >matter, why aren't we up to our eyeballs in Mechanical Monsters? Why >haven't they...by the Source," he breathes. He glances up quickly at >the Omegatron. "Time to knock the door, folx!" he shouts. > "Don't you mean 'knock _on_ the door,' Blaze?" Hippolta asks. > "Only if we can't knock it _down,_" the Human Dynamo replies, >matching deeds to words with a thunder punch that shakes the air and >dents the huge double doorway. It does not, however, give in yet. Quiet Moon's eyes narrow, focusing on other parts of the door. Massive, probably spelled or otherwise defended...But the material around the hinges, already weakened from the task of holding the massive doors up, is another matter. His first thought is to rip the bolts out using his Magnakai Nexus abilities. Then, something far more elegant comes to mind. Using his Mindforce as a guide, he casts a small cantrip he learned on Magnamund, rendering each bolt utterly frictionless. OOC1: All I ever need to learn in life I got from reading 'Oh My Goddess!' "Lefty...loosey, I believe is the term?" he mutters, as faint clanks can be heard from inside. "Try again!" he says urgently. OOC2: And, after the Dragon-ball-esque attacks are done with ;-) Preparing himself for battle, Quiet Moon steps forward. Then, his Magnakai-honed precognition screams a warning... >On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:10:18 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012281 > > "Activate Omegatron function: Apophis." "It seems the balance of power has shifted..." Quiet Moon growls. "Blaze? Mobius just started some sort of endgame program. He called it Apophis!" OOC3: Jack O'Neill, you're on in 3... OOC4: Subtle? There's no 'AAE' in the word subtle =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Fire in the Sky On Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:39:38 -0500 Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012293 >On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 21:56:25 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012280 >>On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 21:45:11 -0500 >>Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012259 >>>On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:47:57 -0800 >>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012255 >>> >>> Blaze grins again, saluting Quiet Moon cheerfully, then >>>launching himself into the sky in a pyrotechnic (electro-technic?) >>>display of power that lights up the battlefield briefly, all the >>>more impressive in the desert sun. >> >>Doc Energy watches in awe and amazement as Roland Blaze takes to the >>air in a rather impressive display of energetics. [I think I will >>note that in my bag of tricks for future reference.] he muses. >>Snapping back to the gravity of the situation, he spots the Lion Men >>of Ming rocketing their way towards The Amazon Queen. In a somewhat >>less impressive display (but no less spectacular) of electotechnics, >>he blasts off to her position and takes a defensive posture. "Would >>the lady care to have a dance partner this round?" he quips, >>preparing for battle. > > The Lion Men view this new arrival with more caution, which >probably saves them a rather vicious thumping from Hippolyta. The >queen grins. "There's always room for one more," she replies lightly, >sparing a quick glance for the Blue Rose. In spite of the >difficulties the heroine is having, Hippolyta seems confident she >will triumph, but there's not point in taking chances. The Good Doctor steals another glance at the Blue Rose. [Something about her seems somewhat familiar...] he thinks as he shakes his head to snap out of his momentary revere, [No matter. Time to make the donuts, as they say.] "Then perhaps you and the Blue Lady shall dance together. Meanwhile, I will see to it that none of our feline friends attempt to cut in." he says turning his attention to the Lion Men of Ming. Three of the Lion Men break off from their holding pattern, and dive for The Good Doctor. Romanov grins inside the suit, "Time to tame these unruly beasts. Power ON!" he quips loudly, just as an electrowhip appears in his right hand and an energy shield appears on his left arm, door shield style. There is a crack of thunder as the whip snakes out and strikes the leading Lion Man just above his head, causing the rocket pack to short out and sending both rocket and wearer crashing unceremoniously on the ground. OOC: Cue Devo, "Whip It Good." :-) The other two Lion Men veer off around the leader, and pass around Doc Energy in the process. "Hail Ming!" they and the remaining Lion Men shout, as they land in a circle around the Doc. Brandishing all manner of weapons, they surround Romanov on all sides. Romanov smiles, cracking the whip in time to the music playing through the PA system on the suit. Mustering courage, a Lion Man charges Romanov with his spear pointed at Romanov's heart. Casually, Romanov wraps the whip around the spear, and with a yank pulls it out of the bearers hands. Using this as a distraction, two more Lion Men bum rush him, which he only manages to deflect them with the shield. They go sprawling into the first Lion Man to charge, knocking him over like a cheap bowling pin. [Thank the Maker that I built that Kinetic Redirector recently,] he muses as he barely dodges another spear thrust from behind, [otherwise that would have been ugly. Time for a change of tactics.] The music stops, and the whip reforms into a lightning saber. The shield disappears as well, and another lightning saber appears in his left hand. Brandishing them Florantine style, he gives the Kung Fu movie 'come here' motion with his hand to the remaining Lion Men, one of which has broken off and gone after The Blue Rose and The Amazon. "Ladies, I believe another dancer has broken away. Do give him my best, since I am otherwise occupied." The spears feignt and waver, and still they find no purchase in his armor. Suddenly while he was blocking a triple jab from three Lion men, a fourth that had gotten behind him stabbed him in the side. Screaming in surprise more than pain, he "shoves" with his right hand and the three Lion Men go sprawling off to the side, He turns and grabs the fourth Lion Man with a tendril of energy emerging from his right hand, holding him up. {Doctor. There has been a momentary breach in the containment field. Attempting to repair.} He looks at a holographic image, and there is a small cut where the spear pierced the armor. Had he not been armored, it would have skewered him like a rabbit on a stick. Separating the weapon from the wielder, he tossed the Lion Man into the ditch nearby, and looked closer at the spear. "That design....it looks..." "Familiar?" said a casual voice from behind him. In front of Romanov stood a figure, dressed in the regalia of a liontamer, although the whip looked as though it was made from ice, and the chair was blue wood. The shock of blond hair, cut short, gave the wearer a striking look, made even moreso by the ice blue eyes. "Volkov!! I saw you perish, years ago. How..?" blurted Romanov, his voice seething with frustration. The Iceman's demeanor changed, "Tut tut, dear Doctor. You didn't really think I didn't have something in place in the event of my downfall? I found the job of Under Governor for Mobius to be much more fulfilling than anything else I had done before. I believe you and I have unfinished business." Suddenly, the air around the two got cold, and a sphere of ice encircled the two men. Romanov stood up slowly, then regarded his old adversary carefully. {Computer, analyze target.} {Compliance. Calculations forthcoming.} Volkov gestured, and in a swirl of cold air, he reappeared in an ice blue parka with grey fur trim, which gave the appearance of a sinister snowman. His skin turned translucent as ice, and a voice like the cold Siberian wind came out of his mouth. "I admit that my new gifts do take some getting used to. But when I learned that you would be among the Champions of Earth-9, I simply had to do my part. Now, shall we dance?" Suddenly a blast of a cold ray emerges from the pistol that Volkov produced from the sleeve of his coat. Romanov quickly puts the shield up and the ray buffets the shield, the energies of the freeze ray blasting around the door shield like a blast of Arctic air. Volkov gestures with his left hand; just as the Good Doctor raises his right hand to blast Volkov into the next realm and is suddenly encased in a large block of ice. He stands, frozen as a statue. Volkov smiles slightly, then shakes his head. "Perhaps you have gotten weaker in your old age. I think your beloved Ana would make better sport." Hearing the name of his niece, especially by the likes of Volkov, spurs the Good Doctor to action. "Activate Heat Emitters." There is a glow as the skin of the armor heats up. Volkov looked through the ice sphere at the BORIS flying overhead. [Perhaps she will be good sport, but I must finish what I started so long ago. Das vedanya, Dr. Romanov.] he thinks to himself. He hears a crack, and turns just as the block of ice explodes and shatters, sending ice crystals into the walls of the dome. Volkov deflected some of the sharp crystals with a hastily created ice shield, but before he could recover he was bowled over by a flying Romanov, and both he and Romanov made a furrow in the sands. Romanov lept up and grabbed Volkov by the heel. Increasing the size of the suit to compensate, he whirled The Iceman around and around before launching him head first into the other side of the dome. Volkov recovered and landed on his feet, cracking the surface of the ice. He dove into Doc Energy with a flying tackle which caught Romanov unprepared, sending The Good Doctor crashing into the wall behind him, cracking the dome even more. Romanov struggled to his feet, the suit having shrunk down to normal size. Volkov casually walked over, and grabbed Doc Energy by the fin on top of the armor. He casually tossed the Good Doctor into another wall, a spider web of cracks starting to form all around the dome. Suddenly, Romanov saw his chance. {Computer, activate Gravitonic Lifter, and prime Tesla gun.} {Compliance. Shields holding at 50%, but continued stress is inadvisable.} "And now," said Volkov triumphantly, "you die, as you should have done in the Motherland so long ago." "Perhaps someday," said Romanov, "but Not Today!" With one fluid motion, almost as if in slo-mo, Romanov lept into the air just as the Rocket Boots kicked in. He blasted a hole in the top of the dome with a bolt of lightning, then rained down more lightning from the air onto the dome. The heat of the lightning caused the ice to crack from melting, which promptly imploded. The rubble crashed and covered The Iceman, until the dome became a mountain of snow and ice in the middle of the desert. The Good Doctor landed near the snow mountain, and said, "Das Vednya, my adversary." He turned to what few Lion Men remained and activating the twin Tesla cannons on his arms said, sounding somewhat exasperated, "Okay. Who's next?" Meanwhile.... >>The BORIS flew close to Blazes' speed and heading, but not too >>close. A very young Russian voice came over the com. {BORIS 1 to >>Blaze. Do you require a wingman to cover you in case of any >>trouble?} > > Blaze chuckles as his, ah, arc takes him over the entire palace. >As BORIS watches the hero's travel, however, it becomes clear that >the burst does not really constitute flight, however, but is rather >'merely' one mighty, massive jump. Using his electrokinesis to >transmit directly to BORIS' systems, he replies, #{Appreciated, >BORIS, but considering what I am about to do, that may be unwise >oh, my.}# > Eight of the mechanical monsters fly, arms outstretched and >engines humming, straight for our heroes. > "{EVASIVE ACTION!}" Blaze roars, using a second burst of power to >redirect himself forward. He manages to surprise the point 'bot, >getting above it before its deadly white disruptor beam can fire. >Then he creates a magnetic field around his body and folds his legs, >suddenly clamping down on its back like an Arabian wizard on a flying >carpet. He then fires his bolts in one direction and the robot's own >disruptor in another, taking out two more of their targets in quick >succession. Anastasia performs a perfect barrel roll away from where 5 of the mechanical men were aiming directly for her. #{BORIS 1 to Blaze. You take care of the action on the ground, I will cover you in the air.}# The air sizzles as energy beams slash through the air, trying to hit the fast moving BORIS-1. [Damn. They are swarming around me.] she thinks just as she dodges a few more robots that tried to grab her. "Time for a change in the tune. BORIS 1, Transform, and Energize!" Suddenly, a burst of St. Elmos' Fire emerges from the skin of the plane, and the plane shifts and twists and then suddenly the Robot Mode of The Boris appears again, with Anastasia at the helm. The only difference is the BORIS looks decidedly more feminine in appearance, with the wings on the head looking like the helmet of a Admantium Avenging Angel. Another flash, and a sword appears in her right hand, which promptly clefts an attacking robot in twain. A second robot fires a blast of energy, which would have hit had it not hit the shield on her left arm. Pointing the sword at the firing robot, the energy blast that was absorbed by the shield is redirected at the metallic monster and it explodes in a shower of sparks and molten metal, which promptly evaporates due to the extreme heat. Two more robots try to sandwich Ana in mid-air, which only results in them colliding with each other as the BORIS lifts up just barely in the nick of time. Three robots stop in mid air, wait, then fire simultaneously at the BORIS 1, which Ana barely got her shield up in time. The energy from the concentrated blast courses over the skin of the Metallic Maiden as the internal batteries compensate for the increased energy. The sword disappears, and a mace with a Tesla Coil on the head appears. She points the Coil-Mace at the three robots, and a large bolt of lightning arcs through the air, and surges through all three remaining robots, magnetizing them to each other, just as their circuits fry, sending them plummeting to the open desert below. Watching as the last robots fall, she turns to fly back to the palace. #{BORIS One to Romanov...come in Romanov.}# No reply comes. (OOC2: The dome battle is going on, and the dome interferes with communication.) Ana, thinking that her beloved Uncle is in trouble, transforms the BORIS back to Fighter mode, then rockets back to Romanov's last position. She arrives, just to witness her uncle rocketing out of the ice dome and then blasting the dome to bits. Breathing a sigh of relief, she hovers over her uncle and says #{BORIS One to Romanov, I see you have had some trouble. Anything I can do to help?}# Romanov shakes his head wearily, #{No, my darling. All is well. I just ran into an old friend. Transport one to the Cockpit and prepare for action. I have a feeling Mobius has something else in store for us.}# Meanwhile, as the BORIS 1 takes to the air, the snow mountain begins to move slightly... Dr. Romanov and The Metallic Maiden =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 12:15:43 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012298 >On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 05:36:56 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012288 > >>much smaller burst of St. Elmo's Fire than he'd left with. >>"Apologies if I overstepped, my lady Rose, but Mobius seems to be >>pushing. It seems wise to push back." > > "You're in command - you don't need to apologize for exercising >that responsibility, Blaze," The Blue Rose shakes her head slowly, >"even on those occasions your style reminds me where Roger got his." "On some days," Blaze replies, leaping down with a flourish, cape trailing dramatically behind, "I think Roger is me with the dials turned up." > "The funny thing is," the Blue Rose continues with a bizarrely >conversational tone to the pinned Teth-Net, "I know _exactly_ what >you meant about Mobius' Fright Squad. Though I'm no soldier - nor >adventurer..." She chuckles again, as if amused by the very idea. > "I am a knight - of sorts." With a grunt and immensely more >strength than she used in combating him, the small woman lifts one of >the mechanical fingers pinning his body. She ignores the shriek of >protesting metal, then she kneels besides him. "Forgive my ignorance of Western martial tradition if I am mistaken," Teth-Net replies sarcastically, "but I was under the impression that a knight _is_ both soldier and adventurer. Or at least they were, when such existed." He shrugs fatalistically. "I suppose one could count the Rocket Rangers, after a fashion." > "You said you were a soldier. Do I have your parole - and if >conditional, what conditions?" Her eyes are so light blue they're >almost white, but do not meet his - instead, her gaze studies his >armband with disturbing intensity. "This is a key to the door, is it >not?" Teth-Net's eyes narrow, though he does not bother struggling futilely. "I believe the correct response is 'nuts.' Barring a word I would not use in front of a lady, that is, even an opposing one." Then... >On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 11:34:39 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00012289 > > When he reaches the front door, he stops short at the sight of a >pistol. "Who are you," the captain snaps, "and how did you get in >here?" > "I am but a humble messenger," Rob replies, making a quick survey >of the area. [Good. No matter what happens to the doors, nobody is >going to get squashed accidentally.] "When the elephant comes >visiting, it is wise to open the door for him." > "What are you babbling about?" > Rob smiles enigmatically, while keeping a light touch on the >mini-lens network. [5...4...3...2...1...] > *THOOM* The force of Blaze's blow scatters soldiers like ninepins, >even through the door. > "What was -THAT?-" > "That would be the elephant, knocking on your door." "Then let us 'return to sender,'" cackled a cultured, but badly cracked, British voice. Lord Darkstock, mad bioengineer and creator of monsters (but a distant second when compared to the deadly Infra-Red), shuffles forward. "I have been saving this one for a special occasion. LOWER THE CAGE!" Darkstock laughs maniacally as a huge cage containing an ape that, while not Kong-sized, is more than large enough to give Mighty Joe Young a run for his money. Except his fur is a dark blue rather than black. And he has small, grayish spines on his back. That crackle with electricity. "I read the Pharaoh's file on Blaze," he giggles, "and decided if he enjoys monkeying with us so much, I might as well return the favor! HEEEE hee hee hee hee hee..." Then... >On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 09:18:11 -0800 >Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012291 > >>On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:10:18 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012281 >> >>"Wait a minute. Where are Ming's rockets? His armies? For that >>matter, why aren't we up to our eyeballs in Mechanical Monsters? Why >>haven't they...by the Source," he breathes. He glances up quickly at >>the Omegatron. "Time to knock the door, folx!" he shouts. >> "Don't you mean 'knock _on_ the door,' Blaze?" Hippolta asks. >> "Only if we can't knock it _down,_" the Human Dynamo replies, >>matching deeds to words with a thunder punch that shakes the air and >>dents the huge double doorway. It does not, however, give in yet. > >Quiet Moon's eyes narrow, focusing on other parts of the door. >Massive, probably spelled or otherwise defended...But the material >around the hinges, already weakened from the task of holding the >massive doors up, is another matter. Blaze, eyes coruscating, winds up again. Even those without enhanced senses can see light bend around his arm, the way heat can make the air seem to ripple... >His first thought is to rip the bolts out using his Magnakai Nexus >abilities. Then, something far more elegant comes to mind. Using his >Mindforce as a guide, he casts a small cantrip he learned on >Magnamund, rendering each bolt utterly frictionless. > >OOC1: All I ever need to learn in life I got from reading 'Oh My >Goddess!' > >"Lefty...loosey, I believe is the term?" he mutters, as faint clanks >can be heard from inside. "Try again!" he says urgently. Blaze grins. "Gladly." His punch shakes the walls for several meters in every direction as the doors go flying in... "I'll have to remember that one when I get my telekinesis back," the Human Dynamo notes approvingly. ...hammering into the cage and falling to the ground. A titanic simian roar echoes out in response. Blaze's grin vanishes. "Why does Mobius' palace sound like King Kong?" he asks rhetorically. >Preparing himself for battle, Quiet Moon steps forward. Then, his >Magnakai-honed precognition screams a warning... > >>On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:10:18 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012281 >> >> "Activate Omegatron function: Apophis." > >"It seems the balance of power has shifted..." Quiet Moon growls. >"Blaze? Mobius just started some sort of endgame program. He called >it Apophis!" The young semi-Eternal frowns. "I'm not familiar with that program, but knowing both Mobius and Apophis -- the latter by reputation only, thank the Source -- it cannot be good." "INDEED IT CANNOT," Mobius' voice echoes from speakers around the Omegatron tower. For the first time, the High Lord's tone is deadly serious. The Ultra-Weapon begins to rise once more. "IT SEEMS THAT THE KEFERTIRI IDOL DOUBTS MY RESOLVE." Flickers of flame begin to spark across the surface of the gargantuan sphere. "YOUR ASHES SHALL BE A TESTAMENT TO THE SUPREMACY OF PHARAOH MOBIUS!" There is no mocking laughter, no echo of pseudo-villainous delight. "Uh-oh," Blaze replies prosaically, though his teammates can 'hear' his mind racing with strategies to defeat this threat. >On Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:39:38 -0500 >Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012293 >Watching as the last robots fall, she turns to fly back to the >palace. #{BORIS One to Romanov...come in Romanov.}# No reply comes. >(OOC2: The dome battle is going on, and the dome interferes with >communication.) Ana, thinking that her beloved Uncle is in trouble, >transforms the BORIS back to Fighter mode, then rockets back to >Romanov's last position. She arrives, just to witness her uncle >rocketing out of the ice dome and then blasting the dome to bits. >Breathing a sigh of relief, she hovers over her uncle and says >#{BORIS One to Romanov, I see you have had some trouble. Anything I >can do to help?}# > >Romanov shakes his head wearily, #{No, my darling. All is well. I >just ran into an old friend. Transport one to the Cockpit and prepare >for action. I have a feeling Mobius has something else in store for >us.}# > >Meanwhile, as the BORIS 1 takes to the air, the snow mountain begins >to move slightly... Blaze eyes the mound of ice briefly, then dismisses whatever notion he'd considered just as quickly. "Rose, Quiet Moon, Your Majesty, if you would mop up here..." He pauses as the sound of dying metal whines in the shadows of the palace. "...hm. Slight problem. Okay, new plan. Doc Energy, Xander, head for the base of the Omegatron and do your best to ruin Mobius' day. Everyone else, with me. It looks like we won't be having fun storming the castle." */And Karma, Rob, if you're out there, you two are our only chance of talking sense into the Pharaoh. I know, 'no pressure,' but there it is./* Unhappy with the Hobson's choice in front of him, the half-an-Eternal hummed with lightning once more as he strode through the shattered gateway...and looked all the way up at the electrical super-ape as it tore away the last few bars restraining it. "Okay...that's new." Above the Omegatron, on a platform meant for the Pharaoh himself, Rama-Tet smiled as he wove complex mathemagic. "The stars are right, Your Majesty, and the threads of destiny are falling in your favor." "Excellent. Soon, you shall hold an exalted position...under a new master!" Ming the Merciless laughed... -- Blaze & Evil GM-San All these conspiracies and counter-conspiracies are even wearing _me_ out... ;^) =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Fri, 3 Dec 2004 12:42:06 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00012305 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012298 > > Darkstock laughs maniacally as a huge cage containing an ape that, >while not Kong-sized, is more than large enough to give Mighty Joe >Young a run for his money. Except his fur is a dark blue rather than >black. And he has small, grayish spines on his back. That crackle >with electricity. > "I read the Pharaoh's file on Blaze," he giggles, "and decided if >he enjoys monkeying with us so much, I might as well return the >favor! HEEEE hee hee hee hee hee..." The captain's attention wavers as he watches the cage's occupant grip the bars, then turns back to Rob. "So, is your elephant...wh?!" He searches the area, but finds nothing. It will be a few hours before he realizes that his captain's bars are gone as well. > Blaze eyes the mound of ice briefly, then dismisses whatever >notion he'd considered just as quickly. "Rose, Quiet Moon, Your >Majesty, if you would mop up here..." He pauses as the sound of dying >metal whines in the shadows of the palace. "...hm. Slight problem. >Okay, new plan. Doc Energy, Xander, head for the base of the >Omegatron and do your best to ruin Mobius' day. Everyone else, with >me. It looks like we won't be having fun storming the castle." > */And Karma, Rob, if you're out there, you two are our only chance >of talking sense into the Pharaoh. I know, 'no pressure,' but there >it is./* Unhappy with the Hobson's choice in front of him, the >half-an-Eternal hummed with lightning once more as he strode through >the shattered gateway...and looked all the way up at the electrical >super-ape as it tore away the last few bars restraining it. >"Okay...that's new." /I'll do what I can - I don't know how far this access will carry me./ As he drops the captain's insignia in a pocket, Rob races for the stairs that he thinks will get him to the Omegatron. /Karma? If you have a map of this place, I'd like a copy.../ =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 08:48:58 -0000 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012312 >On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 23:10:18 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012281 >>On Mon, 08 Nov 2004 20:32:38 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012244 >> >> The Royal Court. A gigantic, empty chamber...save for two >>figures. >> "Are you sure about this, Natatiri?" the man whispers, his >>powerful frame hunched over and watchful. This is clearly an unusual >>posture for him. >> "Calm yourself, Neteru," the beautiful, deadly Overgovernor >>replies silkily. "I have one of my agents seeking out the Pharaoh's >>latest female prize. He is quite protective of them." As Neteru >>bristles, she adds soothingly, "It will not come to that. Soon, all >>the power of the Empire will be ours." >> "I still do not like it. The Pharaoh--" >> "The Pharaoh is growing soft," Natatiri snaps. "Do you really >>believe the Empire will survive another year of his current >>behavior?" Taking Neteru's sullen silence for assent, she steps to a >>seemingly ordinary wall. As they are all covered with hieroglyphs, >>her reading does not seem strange at first. Then she begins pressing >>them. "In...the name...of Sebek...I...command...you open...your >>maw." >> The section of wall she'd been manipulating irises open. Natatiri >>gestures in triumph as Neteru breathes out in relief. "Always listen >>to Natatiri, dear," she soothes, patting his cheek. >> In the shadows, Ming smiles terribly... Karma gasps quietly, putting a hand to her mouth. She had been feeling a strange sensation since she had arrived, some form of power, but it didn't feel like anything she recognized. She had finally come to the throne room, but voices from within gave her pause to reconsider. Instead, she had slipped into an alcove off a hallway and sat on a small bench there, obscured from casual view by a few potted ferns. That ancient memory of the Bene Gesserit came to her mind again, and she closed her eyes, 'listening' as it were, to events in the throne room. And it is what she found there that makes her gasp. [Natatiri... Neteru... and Ming watching!] She will have to follow the pair into the chamber, but discovering Ming watching will no doubt mean trouble for Mobius, not to mention Karma herself! > Minutes later. > "Natatiri..." Neteru mutters nervously, watching the entrances. > "Patience," Natatiri replies curtly, bent over the ebon, foot-tall >statue of Sebek. "I must convince the Device that I am a more worthy >High Lord than Mobius." > "Do you really think you can seduce an inanimate object?" Neteru >snaps. > [That does it. Neteru will outlive his usefulness as soon as the >Darkness Device is mine,] Natatiri thinks in annoyance. Outwardly, >she smiles coolly and confidently. "Ask OMEN." > Neteru shudders. > "You seek omens in foolish places," a familiar voice intones, as >dark and grim as ever they have heard it. Karma smiles to herself, [Good timing.] > Neteru spins around, looking at a section of wall that was solid a >moment before, but is now open and leading into a corridor. "Pharaoh >MOBIUS!" he blurts. "I...we...I..." > "SILENCE!" Yet _another_ voice roars, a door crashing open, and a >ray gun strikes Neteru with its full atomic fury. The former >Overgovernor barely has time to scream before being reduced to >charred remnants. His rival, Ramses, steps forward, weapon pointed at >Natatiri. "Give me an excuse, you murdering traitor." > Natatiri, inexplicably, smiles, picking up the Darkness Device >insouciantly. "Go ahead. Shoot, if you want to die." > Ramses' eyes narrow, and he takes aim. At Mobius' outstretched >hand, held up in a stopping command, he reluctantly lowers the >weapon, still holding it at the ready. "You sound inordinately >confident," Mobius comments coldly. > "I have connections even you cannot imagine, oh 'mighty Pharaoh.'" >With all need for pretense gone, her smile has become a vicious >shark-like thing. "I have been the plaything of others my entire >life. Now, all _reality_ shall be MY plaything!" With that, she holds >up the Darkness Device triumphantly in both hands. "I know its name! >JOIN WITH ME, KEFERTIRI!" [Why you shallow, petty, stupid b--] Karma thinks before she stops in surprise, getting the impression the device is actually warming to Natatiri. > The Device -- the Kefertiri idol -- begins to melt, shift, and >reshape itself in Natatiri's hands, becoming a female form not unlike >the Overgovernor's. > Mobius, eyes narrowed within the hood, presses a single button on >his crook of office. A force field springs up around the Device. > "Wh--" Natatiri blurts, as the Kefertiri Idol springs from her >hands, bounces once, then falls to the floor, rolling into a corner >in its force bubble. > "Foolish woman," Mobius snaps in a dead voice. "I know the Idol >has had its doubts about me. It respects power, however. For all your >cunning and scheming, you cannot pierce even that simple defense." > "Oh, no?" Natatiri replies, smile gone. Her body trembles. "Oh, >dar-ling..." > Omen appears out of thin air, the most obscene smile on his face. >His stick-figure body floats a foot above the ground, lounging >arrogantly. "Natatiri, my passion, why are you bothering with that >trinket?" [Because Mobius wants it,] Karma thinks to herself disdainfully. > "Because Mobius wants it," Natatiri snarls. At the stunned looks >from Mobius, Ramses, and even Omen, she continues. "I enjoyed the >position of Overgovernor, true. I even accepted that advancing would >be more...difficult than with my previous challenges. But watching >you slide into decadence, weakness, becoming soft...your collection >of women...and all the while, looking on me with growing contempt? >YOU?! How many realities have you ground beneath your heel, >Sutenhotep?!" Mobius actually staggers back at the sound of that >name. "Yes, I know who you really are, sorcerer. Why should you be >worthy of something more and not me, eh?" [Just how many names does he have anyway?] Karma wonders. > At that, Mobius' confidence returns. "And I was to trust you, was >I?" he replied almost in a whisper. "You had no intention of putting >a knife in my back? Stealing my empire for your own? Exacting your >pointless revenge on people I am responsible for?" > "You didn't even try," Natatiri spat. "If you had been cautious, >calculating, even conquering...but you didn't even try." Her smile >returns, more hateful than the glare. "And now, I swear, I will take >away that which you desire most." > Mobius' expression is unreadable beneath his hood. Slowly his hand >slides up toward it... > "Must _you_ have it?" Omen asks Natatiri, looking at her intently. > "Eh?" Mobius asks, arm freezing. > "I beg your pardon?" Natatiri asks, throwing a stunned look at >Omen. > Ramses shoots Omen. The blast does nothing, surprising not even >him. [Don't blame you, Ramses. But if it'd been that easy, I think we'd have done it when we first saw him.] > "Must...you...have...it? For your revenge?" Omen asks again. His >tone is calm, but considering. > "...no." She smiles at him in a very archetype of seduction. "You >are all the power I could ever dream of and _more,_ darling." Omen >almost doesn't preen. "So long as _he_ doesn't have it." She gestures >at Mobius with a nod of her head, not even looking at him. > "He will lose it. There is no significant time branch emanating >from this point where he does not," Omen replies as if reading >accounting statistics. [...That could be good, and it could be bad--] > Mobius, Ramses, and Natatiri all gape in astonishment at this >pronouncement. Then, as Mobius and Ramses stare at each other, >Natatiri begins to laugh. And laugh. And laugh. > "Oh, so _perfect_ revenge!" she says, still laughing. "For him to >know he will lose his empire and power no matter _what_ he does. >Let's be off, shall we, Omen darling?" > Omen grins sadistically at the two men. "Indeed." With that, he >and Natatiri simply vanish -- no beam, light, inrush of air, it is >simply as if in one frame of film they were there and the next they >were not. [--Question is, can I convince Mobius that it's good? And can I make it so I'm actually right about it being good?] > Ramses is the first to speak. "My...my Pharaoh..." > With a sadness obvious even in his movement, he removes the hood. > Ramses boggles again. "Al-Hebpsa?! Are you _insane,_ wearing the >Pharaoh's regalia?" He blinks owlishly, leaning forward. "Or has the >Pharaoh given you permission...a double, to be his eyes?" > Mobius smiles indulgently. "I would chastise a less faithful >servant for lack of insight. I am Mobius _and_ Al-Hebpsa, my boy," he >explains. "Why do you _think_ I have maintained a secret identity all >these years?" > "...to spy on your own Overgovernors..." Ramses says in hushed >tones, staring into space as realization hits him. > "And I remember well how you came to me in an attempt to save me >from my own folly." He claps Ramses on the back. "In a way, I suppose >you succeeded. Now go." He gestures toward the back door. "Gather >those loyal to me -- the Asp, Teth-Net, Paterski, those others you >trust -- and evacuate them from the Realm." [Wait, evac them from the REALM?!] Karma thinks with alarm. > Ramses blinks again. "Ah, my Pharaoh, the Scarlet Asp and Teth-Net >are both engaged in battle with Blaze's army of heroes..." > "You will manage." Mobius glares at the Darkness Device. "I have >an arch-fiend to disprove. Ozymandias." > "Working," the throne room's speakers reply in the computer's >tinny voice. > Mobius pauses for a moment, at war with himself. Then, staring at >the Idol once more, he continues in a voice of adamant resolve, >"Activate Omegatron function: Apophis." > Even the computer gasps. [Ebbeh!] Karma thinks. [Apophis, god of destruction and the end of the world. Oh please no!] >On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 22:22:52 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012298 > > The young semi-Eternal frowns. "I'm not familiar with that >program, but knowing both Mobius and Apophis -- the latter by >reputation only, thank the Source -- it cannot be good." > "INDEED IT CANNOT," Mobius' voice echoes from speakers around the >Omegatron tower. For the first time, the High Lord's tone is deadly >serious. The Ultra-Weapon begins to rise once more. "IT SEEMS THAT >THE KEFERTIRI IDOL DOUBTS MY RESOLVE." Flickers of flame begin to >spark across the surface of the gargantuan sphere. "YOUR ASHES SHALL >BE A TESTAMENT TO THE SUPREMACY OF PHARAOH MOBIUS!" There is no >mocking laughter, no echo of pseudo-villainous delight. > "Uh-oh," Blaze replies prosaically, though his teammates can >'hear' his mind racing with strategies to defeat this threat. > */And Karma, Rob, if you're out there, you two are our only chance >of talking sense into the Pharaoh. I know, 'no pressure,' but there >it is./* Unhappy with the Hobson's choice in front of him, the >half-an-Eternal hummed with lightning once more as he strode through >the shattered gateway...and looked all the way up at the electrical >super-ape as it tore away the last few bars restraining it. >"Okay...that's new." Karma yanks a drape from its rod and with alacrity makes her way into the throne room from her alcove. Something in the back of her head tells her to hurry, but it doesn't actively register as a message. > Above the Omegatron, on a platform meant for the Pharaoh himself, >Rama-Tet smiled as he wove complex mathemagic. "The stars are right, >Your Majesty, and the threads of destiny are falling in your favor." > "Excellent. Soon, you shall hold an exalted position...under a new >master!" Ming the Merciless laughed... > >On Fri, 3 Dec 2004 12:42:06 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00012305 > > /I'll do what I can - I don't know how far this access will carry >me./ As he drops the captain's insignia in a pocket, Rob races for >the stairs that he thinks will get him to the Omegatron. /Karma? If >you have a map of this place, I'd like a copy.../ Karma pauses before entering the throne room. She looks around speculatively. [One of them has to be able to hear me if I can shout with my mind. Samms and Kinnison's boys could with their lenses. David told me that. They just had to be listening for me, I think he said, and they've got to be listening.] But her mind was still on the room Mobius was in, she'd have to stop watching to shout. Then she'd have to do it fast, when she wouldn't need to use her mind for watching. Which meant it would have to be the moment she entered the room. So deciding, she gathers the fabric into a makeshift basket for holding something and enters the throne room. Taking the passage Natatiri did, she enters the Kefertiri chamber and spies the statue still in its force bubble. Sweeping the whole thing, bubble and all, into the drape, she holds it so she is not touching the device or the field and pauses, looking at Mobius. [IN HERE!] she shrieked in her head, as loud as she could imagine. "Then, Pharaoh," Karma said, approaching with the idol held out before her like it were something she wished to be far from, "You won't want to leave what's really important to you unattended." By the look on her face, the words cut Karma as deeply as they were meant to do to Mobius. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 15:17:20 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00012313 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012312 > > Sweeping the whole thing, bubble and all, into the drape, she >holds it so she is not touching the device or the field and pauses, >looking at Mobius. > [IN HERE!] she shrieked in her head, as loud as she could imagine. ^"I am listening and watching, child. There is no need to 'shout'."^ Karma "hears" Oracle whisper into her ear, and mind, as he "forwards" her information to all that can use it. ^"Your message has been 'forwarded'."^ > "Then, Pharaoh," Karma said, approaching with the idol held out >before her like it were something she wished to be far from, "You >won't want to leave what's really important to you unattended." > By the look on her face, the words cut Karma as deeply as they >were meant to do to Mobius. ^"Be cautious, Karma, Natatiri's treachery is NOT the only one coming to fruition at this time."^ Oracle warns. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 20:07:03 -0500 Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012314 >On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 22:22:52 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012299 >>Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012293 >> >>Meanwhile, as the BORIS 1 takes to the air, the snow mountain begins >>to move slightly... > > Blaze eyes the mound of ice briefly, then dismisses whatever >notion he'd considered just as quickly. "Rose, Quiet Moon, Your >Majesty, if you would mop up here..." He pauses as the sound of dying >metal whines in the shadows of the palace. "...hm. Slight problem. >Okay, new plan. Doc Energy, Xander, head for the base of the >Omegatron and do your best to ruin Mobius' day. Everyone else, with >me. It looks like we won't be having fun storming the castle." {Very good. I will signal my friends to assist. Clear Ether, my friend} says Romanov. He turns the BORIS around, toward Thebes. {Romanov to Zarkov, come in Zarkov. Muster your forces. Meet me at {} this location. And Clear Ether to you.} {And to you as well, fellow Scientist.} Zarkov leans back in the chair, then gets up hurriedly and makes his way to the door. He opens the silver and brass door, and gets the attention of a lone Arborean guard standing nearby. "Tell Barrin and Vultan to ready their forces. We must prepare." Meanwhile, outside of Thebes. On the ISS Maurader "Ajax".... The radio man stood up and gave a smart salute to the captain. "Sir. Emperor Ming wishes us to prepare for attackers. He has informed the commander of Rocket Troopers to assist us. He also informs us that above all else, we must capture Gordon alive. What shall I tell him?" "That's a stupid question, ensign. Inform His Majesty that we will be glad to serve him, and will capture the Earthman." "Yes, sir." The radar operator turns to the Captain, "Sir! Scanners have detected a small craft heading on an intercept course to our position. Confirmation of ion trail confirms....it's Gordon. "Well, it seems that fortune smiles on us today. Advise the commander of the Rocket Troops that Gordon is on his way, and send his coordinates to them. We will give chase....yet." "Aye aye, sir." Out in the skies above Thebes, a Lion Man, dressed more resplendently than the rest of his cohort, switches off the comm and hooks it back on his harness. "Come, my Lions. We go to capture the Earthman, Gordon. For MING!" he roars. "FOR MING! HAIL MING!" roars the legion in response. Off in the distance, a lone sky cycle approaches the ancient city of Thebes. Flying low, one could see the red jacket of one Flash Gordon, especially in the hot Egyptian sun. His blonde hair flying in the breeze as he rockets toward a cloud. [Nuts! Ming's cannier than usual today. Probably because he doesn't want Mobius to get wind of anything he might be doing, so he doesn't want any witnesses. Time to call the troops.] he thinks to himself. Squeezing his knees together, he takes the non-throttle hand off the handlebars, and pulls out a large bore weapon. He raises his arm and fires a shell high into the air. There is a trail of smoke as the signal rocket reaches it's pre-programmed height, then a large red and yellow flash in the stratosphere as the signal goes off. Back at basecamp, Zarkov peers into a set of bionculars, and watches the signal rocket explosion. He turns to Barrin and Dale, who are now joining him in the cockpit. "Barrin, send the signal to Vultan and your men. We take to the skies." There is a must relieved "HURRAY!", loudest of all by Vultan as the word is given. He turns to his Hawkmen and cries, "Come, My Hawkmen. Let us remind Ming why he should fear the skies. To the AIR!" One by one the Hawkmen take off, escorted by Zarkov's ship. The Hawkmen fly wingman position, while guarding the Zarkov 1. {BORIS 1 to Zarkov 1. Request permission to join you.} Suddenly from underneath the throng, the BORIS forms off the 4 o'clock position off the left wing of Vultans' forces. {Permission granted, BORIS 1. Glad you could join us.} says Dale, who is monitoring the comm system. {Then let us make haste. Gordon may need our help.} says Doc Energy. He turns on the auto pilot system, and turns to his neice. "Transport to the Emperor's Palace, my dear. As much as I would rather have you here, I think friend Blaze could use your talents." "Aww, Uncle. I never get to play anymore." pouts Ana, half-heartedly. Romanov chuckles, "If I know Mobius and his Over Governors (OOC: Sounds like a jazz band, doesn't it?) they will have something in store for Blaze and his fellow champions. Before you go, come here." he says as he pats his knee. Ana disengages from the interface chair, and trots over to Romanov and playfully sits on his knee. The fact that she weighs a fair bit (being a robot and all) doesn't seem to bother him. He toussels her short, blonde hair, and opens up an access panel in the back of her head. Shifting part of his body to human mode, he reaches into the coat pocket and pulls out a large chip. He places the chip in her head, and closes the access panel with a click. "There. Activate the new module I made just for you." he says warmly. Ana claps her hands, then gets up. Her entire form shifts from human looking to silver with glowing eyes. (OOC: Think the TX from Terminator 3, with a better attitude and a sunnier disposition) The form shifts again, and she is her old self, with a new twist. Her right arm forms a multitude of different weapons and tools, including a Tesla gun. "Oooh, uncle. You got me a Christmas present early this year. Can I open it up?" she exclaims gleefully. Romanov chuckles, "Da, my darling. Go give Mobius my best." "I will, uncle. Clear Ether." she says just as the transport system whisks her away, only to materialize inside the palace courtyard. She barely has time to register where she is before she is flattened by a flying chunk of ice. Recovering quickly, she turns to face the new threat. "Ah, you must be Volkov. My uncle has told me SO much about you.: Volkov, to his credit, doesn't rise to her taunt. His legendary ice mask was in full effect. "Your girlish charms will not sway me. You are part of the reason why I am forced to work for this gold-plated "Doctor" Mobius. Had I not been forced to leave Special Projects, I would still be in my beloved Motherland instead of sweating away in this heat. I think, perhaps, you will be easier sport than your beloved Uncle." Anna flashed a cat-like grin, then shifted her arm into the Tesla Cannon. "I think you will find you would have had it easier with him than with me, villian. I still remember the day you took me away from my Papa. Shall we waltz?" she purred meanacingly, assuming a defensive posture in the furrow of ground her landing had made. "Royal brat, I think I will cool you off." he quips as he fires an icicle the size of a wolfhound at her. She takes aim, and fires, shattering the missle. Her look of triumph turns to horror as the chunks reform into smaller icicles while continuing on their predetermined path. Turning on her heel, she takes off for a dead run along the row of statues to Mobius. Tiny blasts of sand and stone pop as the icicles dog her heels. She barely makes it to the 3rd statue as a larger chunk buries itself in the base of the statue. Shifting her arm again, she forms a large barrel with a flame flickering out of the tip. She dives sideways out from behind the base just as Volkov fires his Ice Ray at her position, the frost of the near miss forming on her black patent leather boots. Opening up the chamber, she blasts flaming death at Volkov, who exclaims, "Arggggh!" just as the hair on his blonde eyebrows and head are singed. Steam starts to form around him, and he fires another blast at her. Time slows, and Ana just barely does a Matrix dodge on the Freeze Ray, and thinks quickly, [That was too close. Got to warm things up a bit more.] "If you can't take the heat, Snowboy, get out of the kitchen." she says, flipping a switch on the side of the flamethrower. Suddenly, a ball of fire emerges from the nozzle, and strikes Volkov square in the chest, setting his clothes on fire. The blast knocks him into the last statue on the left, sending it crumbling into a pile of smouldering stone. Though he appears to be beaten up, he is not badly wounded. "Hmm... Must have stopped him cold." she quips, before turning on her heel and hitting a dead run to the doors. > */And Karma, Rob, if you're out there, you two are our only chance >of talking sense into the Pharaoh. I know, 'no pressure,' but there >it is./* Unhappy with the Hobson's choice in front of him, the >half-an-Eternal hummed with lightning once more as he strode through >the shattered gateway...and looked all the way up at the electrical >super-ape as it tore away the last few bars restraining it. >"Okay...that's new." Suddenly a crackle emerges from the ceiling overhead. The unmistakeable sounds of Peter Gabriels' "Shock The Monkey" plays loud. The PA system cracks and crackels due to the interference of both the Electrical Ape and Blaze, (not surprising, since the speaker is somewhat cracked himself.) {Greetings, Roland Blaze. I hope you don't mind, but I thought you might want to shock the monkey....so I made a monkey to shock you. Heeheeheehee.} ,cackles Darkstock over the music. The spines on the beast start to glow in a St. Elmo's Fire dance. Meanwhile, Ana just makes it inside as Blaze looks up at the now-demolished cage holding King Kong Voltage. "Begging your pardon, Mr. Blaze, but can you use this beauty to help you tame the beast." she says, adding dryly, "I figure that he's not the gorrila your dreams." Then.... > Above the Omegatron, on a platform meant for the Pharaoh himself, >Rama-Tet smiled as he wove complex mathemagic. "The stars are right, >Your Majesty, and the threads of destiny are falling in your favor." > "Excellent. Soon, you shall hold an exalted position...under a new >master!" Ming the Merciless laughed... OOC: At the risk of saving my sanity and tying up a thread I started a while back, I give you.... Imhotep, guiding the Chariot of Ra and carrying the Spear of Osiris, screamed out of the sky, buzzing the mathmagician and Ming. "The stars may be right, heathen sorceror, but your fate is written in sand." he shouts. The tip of the spear glows and fires a blast of solar energy at the platform. Doc Energy, Ana, and Imhotep. Now playing at the Imperial Jazz Club in Cairo, all you can eat falafel just 10 dinars. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 03:53:40 -0000 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012316 >On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 15:17:20 -0800 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00012313 >>On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 08:48:58 -0000 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012312 >> >> [IN HERE!] she shrieked in her head, as loud as she could >>imagine. > >^"I am listening and watching, child. There is no need to 'shout'."^ >Karma "hears" Oracle whisper into her ear, and mind, as he "forwards" >her information to all that can use it. ^"Your message has been >'forwarded'."^ Thankfully, Karma didn't stumble or show startlement. [Thank you!] she thought greatfully. >> "Then, Pharaoh," Karma said, approaching with the idol held out >>before her like it were something she wished to be far from, "You >>won't want to leave what's really important to you unattended." >> By the look on her face, the words cut Karma as deeply as they >>were meant to do to Mobius. > >^"Be cautious, Karma, Natatiri's treachery is NOT the only one coming >to fruition at this time."^ Oracle warns. [Ming,] she thought, averting her eyes a moment, blinking with a delicate sniffle, before turning back to Mobius. =========================== Subject: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 21:58:28 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00012317 >On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 15:17:20 -0800 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00012313 > >^"I am listening and watching, child. There is no need to 'shout'."^ >Karma "hears" Oracle whisper into her ear, and mind, as he "forwards" >her information to all that can use it. ^"Your message has been >'forwarded'."^ A moment later, Rob winces, more from reflex than from actual pain. [Either my shields are better,] he thinks, [or Oracle is better at 'whispering' than the other Starspawn.] Taking the information he has, he concludes that the fastest way to get to Mobius is, unfortunately, the one that goes through at least two walls. "No helping it," he mutters, stopping at the next floor. He studies the wall for several seconds, then strikes with a knife-hand. His kiai echoes through the stairwell, as he shatters the wall, creating a hole roughly three feet wide. A moment later, he is on the other side of the wall, running towards Karma. In his hurry, he barely notices the guards trying to stop him, leaving some unconscious, others with broken bones, and one stuffed headfirst through a door. Turning right, he breaks through a door, then turns right again and jumps, bouncing off of a tapestry, and throwing himself into a flying kick at the opposite side of the room. Rob explodes through the wall into the throne room...too late. Mobius is gone. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 22:34:27 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012318 >On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 08:48:58 -0000 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012312 > Sweeping the whole thing, bubble and all, into the drape, she >holds it so she is not touching the device or the field and pauses, >looking at Mobius. > [IN HERE!] she shrieked in her head, as loud as she could imagine. Roland Phoenix's telepathy, as has been noted many times, is used 'actively.' He must use it consciously, casting his will outward to touch the minds and thoughts of others. Without the mini-lens link or his family's psychic bond, he does not pick up thoughts, however loudly they might be thought. This is Blaze, however. And divided as he is from the rest of himself, Blaze, like Rolessar, is more of a living attunement than a simple duplicate. He senses someone calling to him, even before Oracle 'forwards' the message. He looks up at Electro-Kong and frowns. "This just isn't turning out to be my day." /Can anyone reach Karma? I think I'm going to be occupied for a while.../ > "Then, Pharaoh," Karma said, approaching with the idol held out >before her like it were something she wished to be far from, "You >won't want to leave what's really important to you unattended." > By the look on her face, the words cut Karma as deeply as they >were meant to do to Mobius. Mobius spins, startled. He doesn't even raise a hand, let alone a weapon, however; he knew the voice immediately. For a moment, his expression softens, saddens...then he forces it hard. Implacable. Imperial. He points his crook of office at the sphere and holds out his left hand. The energy sphere -- Device included -- zips into his palm. "Do you know how my reality defines 'good' and 'evil,' Karma?" he asks conversationally. "Obviously, even in my home cosm, conditions can make a situation more or less forgiving. However, it comes down to a simple ethos -- good means one cares for others, and evil only cares for itself. This allows for greater complexity than it may first seem, of course. Evil men can work together so long as a clear hierarchy of benefits and power is maintained, and it is in the interest of those with less power to serve and obey those with authority over them. Nevertheless, that is the basic equation. Thus, a ruler can be essentially evil, yet benevolent. I have found it -- perhaps made it would be a better phrase -- in my best interests to rule benevolently, at least with obedient citizens." Mobius frowns. "And of course, 'good' people can do dark things in service to a 'greater good.' Such 'good' quickly slides away from its basic principles if not carefully watched, of course. A weakness I have exploited in the past." He raises the sphere, staring long and hard at it. "Nevertheless, there is the basic dichotomy. And this Device...is evil." In spite of the dark situation, Mobius -- Sutenhotep? -- smiles ruefully. "It was my quest, you see. I swore on my mentor's grave to conquer eternity itself and live forever. And the Torg is immortal, as even Blaze's kind are not." The smile fades slowly, until it is gone altogether, as he continues. "Ironically, I discovered recently that I _am_ immortal. A...consequence of my resurrection, you see. So this...THING...I do not need it." Mobius glares at the Idol. "What use had I for this object of annihilation? At my worst, I am a conqueror. But the things of the Abyss are cunning. So always, while promising to do my bidding and expand my empire infinitely, it warns that there are far worse men...and women...that could become High Lord." Again, he laughs. His laugh, however, is bitter, a hollow sound of gall and ash. "What is that phrase this world's vampires used while their culture existed? 'Monsters we are, lest monsters we become?' So I am condemned to be a monster, so that a worse monster is not unleashed upon the cosmverse." He lowers the sphere, and looks at Karma...uncertainly. "If you spare any sympathy for me, my dear, do not. I chose my course willingly, even gleefully, sure that my hunger would never be sated, my towering hubris would never waver. And even now, I can enjoy the role of the villain, jousting against heroes in glorious duels of science, magic and wit. And the company..." his gaze is now intense, hypnotic. "...has been...enjoyable..." "Do you know why you tempt me, Karma?" he asks suddenly. "The heroines I captured were all defiant, all -- outwardly, at least -- without fear. You had courage in the face of something that clearly overwhelmed you, to be sure. Still, I frightened you, and I found that I do not want to. Ironic, is it not, that it is your vulnerability which --" Mobius stops, horrified. He used the _present_tense._ Karma has an opening. Somehow, she can sense that Mobius will recover in seconds, returning his implacable gaze on the Kefertiri Idol. His ego and his guilt will turn his attention to reclaiming his authority over it in moments. But she has a chance. -- Evil GM-San (Aren't you glad the _writer_ has time to think about this? ;^) =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 22:21:00 -0000 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012320 >On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 22:34:27 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012318 >>On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 08:48:58 -0000 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012312 >> >> "Then, Pharaoh," Karma said, approaching with the idol held out >>before her like it were something she wished to be far from, "You >>won't want to leave what's really important to you unattended." >> By the look on her face, the words cut Karma as deeply as they >>were meant to do to Mobius. > > Mobius spins, startled. He doesn't even raise a hand, let alone a >weapon, however; he knew the voice immediately. For a moment, his >expression softens, saddens...then he forces it hard. Implacable. >Imperial. Karma's own face looked pained and regretful at the biting comment she just let slip and the saddened look on Mobius's face, even sadder at the hard edge he forces over it. > He points his crook of office at the sphere and holds out his left >hand. The energy sphere -- Device included -- zips into his palm. > "Do you know how my reality defines 'good' and 'evil,' Karma?" he >asks conversationally. Karma shook her head, wiping away a tear at the corner of her eye. "No," she said softly but encouragingly for him to continue. >"Obviously, even in my home cosm, conditions can make a situation >more or less forgiving. However, it comes down to a simple ethos >-- good means one cares for others, and evil only cares for itself. >This allows for greater complexity than it may first seem, of course. >Evil men can work together so long as a clear hierarchy of benefits >and power is maintained, and it is in the interest of those with less >power to serve and obey those with authority over them. Nevertheless, >that is the basic equation. Thus, a ruler can be essentially evil, >yet benevolent. I have found it -- perhaps made it would be a better >phrase -- in my best interests to rule benevolently, at least with >obedient citizens." Karma nodded, quiet. > Again, he laughs. His laugh, however, is bitter, a hollow sound of >gall and ash. "What is that phrase this world's vampires used while >their culture existed? 'Monsters we are, lest monsters we become?' So >I am condemned to be a monster, so that a worse monster is not >unleashed upon the cosmverse." > He lowers the sphere, and looks at Karma...uncertainly. "If you >spare any sympathy for me, my dear, do not. I chose my course >willingly, even gleefully, sure that my hunger would never be sated, >my towering hubris would never waver. And even now, I can enjoy the >role of the villain, jousting against heroes in glorious duels of >science, magic and wit. And the company..." his gaze is now intense, >hypnotic. "...has been...enjoyable..." Karma smiled at that, despite the desperate situation. > "Do you know why you tempt me, Karma?" he asks suddenly. "The >heroines I captured were all defiant, all -- outwardly, at least -- >without fear. You had courage in the face of something that clearly >overwhelmed you, to be sure. Still, I frightened you, and I found >that I do not want to. Ironic, is it not, that it is your >vulnerability which --" > Mobius stops, horrified. He used the _present_tense._ > Karma has an opening. Somehow, she can sense that Mobius will >recover in seconds, returning his implacable gaze on the Kefertiri >Idol. His ego and his guilt will turn his attention to reclaiming his >authority over it in moments. > But she has a chance. "...Makes you vulnerable?" Karma asked softly, taking a cautious step towards the High Lord. "That makes you wish for something different?" "What if... what if a hero was in your position now?" Karma asked, taking another hesitant step forward, "He would destroy the device if he could." Another step. "Because he cares about other people." And another. "And he would rather not have the power than let it fall into worse hands than his?" Karma took a last cautious step forward, "But evil only cares for itself." Karma reached out slowly, to put her hands around Mobius's hand that was not holding the bubble-shielded idol and met his eyes, hoping to return that hypnotic look. "And as you told me, evil can't change, can it?" [Yes it can, you told me so!] Karma tried to stop herself from holding her breath, but she couldn't help it. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 21:21:39 -0800 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00012323 >On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 22:21:00 -0000 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012320 > > "What if... what if a hero was in your position now?" Karma asked, >taking another hesitant step forward, "He would destroy the device if >he could." > Another step. "Because he cares about other people." > And another. "And he would rather not have the power than let it >fall into worse hands than his?" > Karma took a last cautious step forward, "But evil only cares for >itself." > Karma reached out slowly, to put her hands around Mobius's hand >that was not holding the bubble-shielded idol and met his eyes, >hoping to return that hypnotic look. > "And as you told me, evil can't change, can it?" [Yes it can, you >told me so!] > Karma tried to stop herself from holding her breath, but she >couldn't help it. /^Karma, he can give it to ME. Nothing will ever use it again, EVER, if he does so.^/ The Stardragon offers. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 22:31:21 -0800 Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012324 >On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 22:34:27 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012318 > > He looks up at Electro-Kong and frowns. "This just isn't turning >out to be my day." /Can anyone reach Karma? I think I'm going to be >occupied for a while.../ /I sense Karma is busy./ The Kai replies. /Fighting this beast will only waste our time and energy. Our main priority must be the destruction of the Darkness device./ [Now how do I beat it...no, how do *we* beat it? And quickly?] Quickly, Quiet Moon goes over his own assets. Psychic attacks - questionable; the Electric Ape's rage makes psychic attacks less than useful. Physical attacks - Well, the Sommerswerd could do it, but his power baton, which could fire...electro magnetic....energy.... "Over here!" Quiet Moon yells at the top of his lungs, adding a psychically-driven challenge. "Face me!" With a roar, Kong Edison advances (OOC: sorry, couldn't resist), lightning crackling up and down its back. /Okay, I need to get behind it. CLOSE behind it. Cover me!/ OOC: Well? COVER THE MAN! Please? I've been oh so good this year :-) Quickly, as attacks rain down on the ape, Quiet moon runs behind the Ape, within easy reach of the spines on the beast's back. Raising his power baton, Quiet Moon activates the magnetic pulse, and the electricity gets pulled off of the ape, into the baton, and is conducted along his arm into an outstretched hand, where an azure ball of energy is growing at an alarming rate. ==Patrick -So, how's that? And, umm...that Darkstock guy still around? I got a nice surprise for him =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 13:14:00 -0000 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012325 >On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 21:21:39 -0800 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00012323 > >/^Karma, he can give it to ME. Nothing will ever use it again, EVER, >if he does so.^/ The Stardragon offers. [If I understand you, then yes, I know,] Karma thinks to herself which the Stardragon can pick up as being directed towards her/it, [But I need to know if I am facing a good man or an evil man. By his standards, he is evil, but not by mine. And if I can show him he cares for more than himself, then he's good by his own standards. Then we can get to the 'hard' part of how to satisfy the Kefertiri idol without destroying the entire realm by Omegatron and keep Ming from getting his hands on it.] [And if Mobius is still evil,] Karma thinks, her thoughts by this point almost tumbling over one another in her nervous haste, [I need to ensure he gets his attention on Ming now so the rest of the group can get in here and stop the Omegatron. Then we can focus on the Darkness Device, Mobius and Ming. But almost everything I know is telling me he's not evil. And I don't want him thinking he is if it isn't honestly true. Cause, dammit, he made me care about him. It's stupid, but there it is.] =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 20:17:14 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012326 >On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 22:31:21 -0800 >Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012324 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012318 >"Over here!" Quiet Moon yells at the top of his lungs, adding a >psychically-driven challenge. "Face me!" > >With a roar, Kong Edison advances (OOC: sorry, couldn't resist), >lightning crackling up and down its back. /Okay, I need to get behind >it. CLOSE behind it. Cover me!/ /Aha. A cue. That would be me./ A purple star plummets from the sky, faster and brighter than any meteor could fall. Those with the ability to see within the furious radiance can make out a vague silhouette of a petite woman wearing a large-brimmed hat in even brighter planes of light. /Ha! I know this species. It's a Grape Ape, Grape Ape./ The Just Violet puns with terrible insouciance as she streams into the very face - and even eyes - of the electrified simian. Electricity has no effect on light, of course, but too much ultraviolet can be very dangerous to any unprotected eyes. She hopes Quiet Moon has the ability to protect his vision from what radiation originating from her very being may spill past the ape's head and shoulders. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:22:06 -0800 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012328 >On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 20:07:03 -0500 >Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012314 >>On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 22:22:52 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012299 >> */And Karma, Rob, if you're out there, you two are our only >>chance of talking sense into the Pharaoh. I know, 'no pressure,' but >>there it is./* Unhappy with the Hobson's choice in front of him, the >>half-an-Eternal hummed with lightning once more as he strode through >>the shattered gateway...and looked all the way up at the electrical >>super-ape as it tore away the last few bars restraining it. >>"Okay...that's new." > >Suddenly a crackle emerges from the ceiling overhead. The >unmistakeable sounds of Peter Gabriels' "Shock The Monkey" plays >loud. The PA system cracks and crackels due to the interference of >both the Electrical Ape and Blaze, (not surprising, since the speaker >is somewhat cracked himself.) >{Greetings, Blaze. I hope you don't mind, but I thought you might >want to shock the monkey....so I made a monkey to shock you. >Heeheeheehee.}, cackles Darkstock over the music. The spines on the >beast start to glow in a St. Elmo's Fire dance. "Oh, great, a Callahanian villain," Blaze mutters. Rings of electric energy pulse up and down his arms, then arcs of lightning begin to play across them. His eyes glow blue... >Meanwhile, Ana just makes it inside as Blaze looks up at the >now-demolished cage holding King Kong Voltage. >"Begging your pardon, Mr. Blaze, but can you use this beauty to help >you tame the beast." she says, adding dryly, "I figure that he's not >the gorrila your dreams." "My kingdom for a peanut," Blaze quips back, "but the more the merrier." >Then.... >> Above the Omegatron, on a platform meant for the Pharaoh himself, >>Rama-Tet smiled as he wove complex mathemagic. "The stars are right, >>Your Majesty, and the threads of destiny are falling in your favor." >> "Excellent. Soon, you shall hold an exalted position...under a >>new master!" Ming the Merciless laughed... > >OOC: At the risk of saving my sanity and tying up a thread I started >a while back, I give you.... >Imhotep, guiding the Chariot of Ra and carrying the Spear of Osiris, >screamed out of the sky, buzzing the mathmagician and Ming. "The >stars may be right, heathen sorceror, but your fate is written in >sand." he shouts. The tip of the spear glows and fires a blast of >solar energy at the platform. Ming snarls and holds his right arm to the sky as Rama-Tet recoils. The solar bolt shrinks until it vanishes into the Evil Emperor's ring. It glows red-hot, but that doesn't seem to be bothering Ming. "Bah! Though the gods themselves rise against me, none shall stand against Ming the Merciless!" "'Heathen?'" Rama-Tet mutters, offended. "Emperor Ming, we should away," he suggests. "I _must_ have that Idol!" Ming snarls. "If the Idol chooses you, as I foresee it will, neither time nor space can impede it," Rama-Tet insists, weaving mathemagics of luck and fate that protect them with 'random' flares of the Omegatron, which absorb even the power of Ra himself! Ming grimaces. "Very well. Nonetheless, it is time to claim another prize." He holds the ring aloft, and the power of the sun is released -- though not in a burst, but in a flare of power far too diffuse to harm the invincible Mummy. Then they are gone. A fraction of a second later, a huge gantry in the distance glows, hums, and vanishes in an explosive (implosive?) inrush of air! Next... >On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 21:58:28 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00012317 > > He studies the wall for several seconds, then strikes with a >knife-hand. His kiai echoes through the stairwell, as he shatters the >wall, creating a hole roughly three feet wide. A moment later, he is >on the other side of the wall, running towards Karma. In his hurry, >he barely notices the guards trying to stop him, leaving some >unconscious, others with broken bones, and one stuffed headfirst >through a door. > Turning right, he breaks through a door, then turns right again >and jumps, bouncing off of a tapestry, and throwing himself into a >flying kick at the opposite side of the room. > Rob explodes through the wall into the throne room...too late. >Mobius is gone. A voice carries into the room as someone approaches. "My Pharaoh! I have carried the Scarlet Asp and Red Hand away from battle, but Teth-Net is too badly pinned for..." A moment later, Ramses charges in, coming to a sudden halt as he sees the martial artist. "Who the devil?" Then... >On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 22:21:00 -0000 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012320 > > Karma reached out slowly, to put her hands around Mobius's hand >that was not holding the bubble-shielded idol and met his eyes, >hoping to return that hypnotic look. > "And as you told me, evil can't change, can it?" [Yes it can, you >told me so!] > Karma tried to stop herself from holding her breath, but she >couldn't help it. Mobius stares back, transfixed. He looks about to respond...then begins to laugh madly -- not the megalomaniacal laugh of his conquering villain, but one of a man teetering on the brink of desperation and frustration. "The Devices are indestructible. Even the power of the Omegatron cannot so much as warm its surface. I--" The Idol begins to waver, becoming translucent. "NO!" Mobius roars, and the force bubble vanishes. He grasps it furiously, his fingers seeming to sink into it as he stares relentlessly, teeth bared in a near-snarl. "No...no...I have not...made my choice...you will NOT...you will not..." The Idol re-solidifies. There is no sound, no psychic transmission...but there is an awareness that the Device is losing patience with Mobius. It is time for him to _make_ that choice. Kefertiri has no interest in letting him turn that vast, devious genius against itself. Mobius looks up at Karma, then down at the Idol. The appearance of being bereft is simply _wrong_ on his face. He looks back up again. Words fail him. One thing is certain, however. Whatever side he chooses, he has made one decision already, even if he doesn't realize it -- Mobius is obviously trying to determine which course is the greater good, or at least the lesser evil. >On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 22:31:21 -0800 >Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012324 > >/Fighting this beast will only waste our time and energy. Our main >priority must be the destruction of the Darkness device./ Blaze's glowing eyes bulge. /_Destroy_ it? You don't ask for much, do you?/ he sends with a strained chuckle. >[Now how do I beat it...no, how do *we* beat it? And quickly?] >Quickly, Quiet Moon goes over his own assets. Blaze and the Electro-Ape trade bolts of power, neither seeming to get the upper hand. That's okay with the pulp-leader, for now, though -- he's just buying time. > Psychic attacks - questionable; the Electric Ape's rage makes >psychic attacks less than useful. Physical attacks - Well, the >Sommerswerd could do it, but his power baton, which could >fire...electromagnetic....energy.... > >"Over here!" Quiet Moon yells at the top of his lungs, adding a >psychically-driven challenge. "Face me!" > >With a roar, Kong Edison advances (OOC: sorry, couldn't resist), OOC: Neither can I. 8888888888888888888888888888888 8888888888888888888888888888888 8888888888888888888888888888888 THEN... >On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 20:17:14 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012326 >>On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 22:31:21 -0800 >>Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012324 >> >>/Okay, I need to get behind it. CLOSE behind it. Cover me!/ > > /Aha. A cue. That would be me./ A purple star plummets from the >sky, faster and brighter than any meteor could fall. Those with the >ability to see within the furious radiance can make out a vague >silhouette of a petite woman wearing a large-brimmed hat in even >brighter planes of light. > > /Ha! I know this species. It's a Grape Ape, Grape Ape./ The Just >Violet puns with terrible insouciance as she streams into the very >face - and even eyes - of the electrified simian. Electricity has no >effect on light, of course, but too much ultraviolet can be very >dangerous to any unprotected eyes. She hopes Quiet Moon has the >ability to protect his vision from what radiation originating from >her very being may spill past the ape's head and shoulders. /I'm stealing your pun,/ Blaze warns jauntily, then thrusts his arms into the sky as the Ape roars in pain and fury, clawing at its eyes. "HEY, GRAPE APE!" the Ultra-Hero shouts. "YOU DIDN'T PAY YOUR ELECTRIC BILL! IT'S TIME TO CUT YOU OFF!" With that, his arms blaze ten times brighter, and all the creature's power strikes Blaze with a pillar-shaking lightning blast. "Ha! That the best you can do? I could drink this up all...whoa..." At about that moment, Defender starts soaking up electric energy from Dark Voltron. /Um...wow...I'm getting some really rippin' feedback here...someone want to slip Amp Ape there a mickey?/ >>Quickly, as attacks rain down on the ape, Quiet moon runs behind the >>Ape, within easy reach of the spines on the beast's back. Raising >>his power baton, Quiet Moon activates the magnetic pulse, and the >>electricity gets pulled off of the ape, into the baton, and is >>conducted along his arm into an outstretched hand, where an azure >>ball of energy is growing at an alarming rate. At this point, Blaze immediately lets go of the energy himself, staggering back. "I...can hear...orange..." The giant ape roars, beats its chest, and reaches behind itself to crush the offending nuisance. Before it can reach Quiet Moon, however, its eyes swirl, and it staggers. The ape stumbles a few steps to the right, two steps back, then leans forward to compensate...and keeps going until it hits the ground with a jarring *thump.* All this flailing sends shocktroopers scrambling for safety, lest they become shocking toejam. During the mad rush, Blaze holds his head while standing still, getting his bearings. /Zia, you're fastest right now...maybe you can find Mobius...are you supposed to be blue and red as well as purple? That's odd...pretty, but odd.../ As the hero tries to regain his bearings, Darkstock slowly sneaks up behind him from the shadows, a mad gleam in his eyes and a strange bony dagger in one hand... -- Blaze & Kong Edison Stay tuned for more electrifying adventures! ;^) =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 03:52:37 -0000 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012329 >On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:22:06 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012328 > >Then... >>On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 22:21:00 -0000 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00012320 >> >> "What if... what if a hero was in your position now?" Karma >>asked, taking another hesitant step forward, "He would destroy the >>device if he could." >> Another step. "Because he cares about other people." >> And another. "And he would rather not have the power than let it >>fall into worse hands than his?" >> Karma took a last cautious step forward, "But evil only cares for >>itself." >> Karma reached out slowly, to put her hands around Mobius's hand >>that was not holding the bubble-shielded idol and met his eyes, >>hoping to return that hypnotic look. >> "And as you told me, evil can't change, can it?" [Yes it can, you >>told me so!] >> Karma tried to stop herself from holding her breath, but she >>couldn't help it. > > Mobius stares back, transfixed. He looks about to respond...then >begins to laugh madly -- not the megalomaniacal laugh of his >conquering villain, but one of a man teetering on the brink of >desperation and frustration. "The Devices are indestructible. Even >the power of the Omegatron cannot so much as warm its surface. I--" > The Idol begins to waver, becoming translucent. > "NO!" Mobius roars, and the force bubble vanishes. He grasps it >furiously, his fingers seeming to sink into it as he stares >relentlessly, teeth bared in a near-snarl. "No...no...I have >not...made my choice...you will NOT...you will not..." Karma looks horrified, a hand to her mouth. [Oh Karma, you're such a fool!] > The Idol re-solidifies. There is no sound, no psychic >transmission...but there is an awareness that the Device is losing >patience with Mobius. It is time for him to _make_ that choice. >Kefertiri has no interest in letting him turn that vast, devious >genius against itself. > Mobius looks up at Karma, then down at the Idol. The appearance of >being bereft is simply _wrong_ on his face. He looks back up again. >Words fail him. > One thing is certain, however. Whatever side he chooses, he has >made one decision already, even if he doesn't realize it -- Mobius is >obviously trying to determine which course is the greater good, or at >least the lesser evil. "I've been so stupid," Karma says, staring at her feet, then looking up at Mobius, "No matter what you choose, I'll stay with you. I can't see a way out except to do as it demands and show it you're still evil." [And hope that I can convince you that you still are a good man and did the right thing when this is all over.] =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Fri, 24 Dec 2004 05:33:56 -0800 (PST) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012333 >On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:22:06 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012328 >>On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 20:17:14 -0800 (PST) >>Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00012326 > During the mad rush, Blaze holds his head while standing still, >getting his bearings. /Zia, you're fastest right now...maybe you can >find Mobius...are you supposed to be blue and red as well as purple? >That's odd...pretty, but odd.../ /What, you wanted red, white and blue?/ Ultra-violet is gone as fast as the thought comes to him. > As the hero tries to regain his bearings, Darkstock slowly sneaks >up behind him from the shadows, a mad gleam in his eyes and a strange >bony dagger in one hand... The Blue Rose, rising with a rather disgusted look after Teth-Net so blithely refused to give his parole upon being captured, tosses her shepherd's crook acrost the battle area as if it were a light javelin, nailing the skulking villian hard enough to dislodge the knife from his hand - although she fails to drop the villain himself. He is, after all, not a mere henchman. /You question my colors, thou who Blazes?/ Blue RoseZia continues as smoothly as if she and Ultra-violet were the same person (as, indeed, they really are, after all). /Hast thee never pondered, then, whyfore shouldst my people be named 'Amberites'? The question of true import lies in the whereabouts of my Amber self, not the Blue Self, the Red, or even the Ultraviolet - soothe though she be the speediest part./ **** Ultraviolet arrives, within the same second she departs the doorway, into the presence of Mobius, Karma, and a seemingly inanimate object - the idol Mobius holds, unmistakable to her empathy as an Abyssal artifact. Despite being no more than ultraviolet, with some energy gleaming intensely violet in the visible spectrum, the mere presence of it is enough to be sickening. Violet pauses, reading the sonic energy of voices by Lens, hoping to come up with some course of action that doesn't involve shapeshifting back to bone and blood anywhere near that... thing. Karma appears unharmed - there is no visible weapon Mobius has against her, nor does it appear there is anyone else in the room. "Ah. Dr. Mobius, I presume?" Violet asks to stall a heartbeat. She speaks by projecting sonic energy through her Lens, lacking breath, throat, and mouth as flesh able to effect sound waves the normal way at the moment. -- The Blue Rose - throwing in the crook to catch a crook - and the Just Violet - tripping the light fantastic to foil a Device of Darkness =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 00:40:15 -0500 Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012335 >On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:22:06 -0800 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012328 >>On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 20:07:03 -0500 >>Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012314 >> >>Meanwhile, Ana just makes it inside as Blaze looks up at the >>now-demolished cage holding King Kong Voltage. >>"Begging your pardon, Mr. Blaze, but can you use this beauty to help >>you tame the beast." she says, adding dryly, "I figure that he's not >>the gorrila your dreams." > > "My kingdom for a peanut," Blaze quips back, "but the more the >merrier." Ana bows, "Das vedanya, Mr. Blaze. Now, let's throw a little monkey wrench into the Pharoah's plan." she says with a wry grin. Meanwhile, back at the platform.... >>Imhotep, guiding the Chariot of Ra and carrying the Spear of Osiris, >>screamed out of the sky, buzzing the mathmagician and Ming. "The >>stars may be right, heathen sorceror, but your fate is written in >>sand." he shouts. The tip of the spear glows and fires a blast of >>solar energy at the platform. > > Ming snarls and holds his right arm to the sky as Rama-Tet >recoils. The solar bolt shrinks until it vanishes into the Evil >Emperor's ring. It glows red-hot, but that doesn't seem to be >bothering Ming. "Bah! Though the gods themselves rise against me, >none shall stand against Ming the Merciless!" > "'Heathen?'" Rama-Tet mutters, offended. "Emperor Ming, we should >away," he suggests. > "I _must_ have that Idol!" Ming snarls. > "If the Idol chooses you, as I foresee it will, neither time nor >space can impede it," Rama-Tet insists, weaving mathemagics of luck >and fate that protect them with 'random' flares of the Omegatron, >which absorb even the power of Ra himself! > Ming grimaces. "Very well. Nonetheless, it is time to claim >another prize." He holds the ring aloft, and the power of the sun is >released -- though not in a burst, but in a flare of power far too >diffuse to harm the invincible Mummy. > Then they are gone. > A fraction of a second later, a huge gantry in the distance glows, >hums, and vanishes in an explosive (implosive?) inrush of air! Temporarily blinded by the flash of light, Imhotep looks a little more bronzed than normal. Wheeling the chariot about, he sees the gantry glow then hum loudly, and vanish. "Odd," said Imhotep, "I wonder what that was, since it was big enough I could see it from here? Oh, well. I must do something about this, though." he said, hopping on the Chariot and taking off into the air. As he flew over the refurbished temple, he admired the recreations of days long past. The Great Pyramids, the temples...everything reminded him of his own time. He shuddered as the memories of what he did on that fateful night washed over him, the memories of being reborn and finding his beloved again...and successfully resurrecting her, only to lose her again in the fires of the Scorpion King's lair. It was then that he realized that his anger at the O'Connells was not just because of their interference in his plans. It was when he realized that he could never have the love that the O'Connells shared...love of life and adventure, the despair washed over him and he let go of the ledge.... He snapped himself out of his momentary reverie and contiuned to fly to where the gantry was, the tip of the spear glowing bright. >>On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 22:31:21 -0800 >>Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012324 >> >>With a roar, Kong Edison advances (OOC: sorry, couldn't resist), > > OOC: Neither can I. > > 8888888888888888888888888888888 > 8888888888888888888888888888888 > 8888888888888888888888888888888 OOC: 88888888888888s Patrick as well. Then... >On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 18:15:24 -0800 (PST) >Ziactrice Said As FD.CAoL Message # 00000366 >>On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 14:22:06 -0800 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00012328 >> >> As the hero tries to regain his bearings, Darkstock slowly sneaks >>up behind him from the shadows, a mad gleam in his eyes and a >>strange bony dagger in one hand... > > The Blue Rose, rising with a rather disgusted look after Teth-Net >so blithely refused to give his parole upon being captured, tosses >her shepherd's crook acrost the battle area as if it were a light >javelin, nailing the skulking villian hard enough to dislodge the >knife from his hand - although she fails to drop the villain himself. >He is, after all, not a mere henchman. Darkstock yelps as the crook hits his hand just as he was about to make the killing blow. Hissing, he turns to find nothing but empty air where the crook came from. He hears a noise to his left, turns and just ducks a fist full of Russian Steel. Ana quickly recovers and assumes a fighting stance, fists up, back straight and feet moving. Lord Darkstock faces her, then assumes a similar stance. "So..." says the Mad Lord, "You know of boxing. What does a woman know of boxing?" "Oh, women know more than you think, my lord" sneered Ana, "but this woman knows all that...and more." Suddenly, she went from 5'10 to slightly under 7 feet and there was blue and white lightning flashing in her eyes. "All I ever needed to know about boxing, I learned from Vitali 'Iron Fist' Klitschko." "I doubt it, my dear." as Darkstock quickly dashed in and delivered a quick jab to her now larger (to his smaller) torso. Still smiling, she tightened her guard up, as Darkstock sought to find a weakness in her strategy. Punch after punch he threw was either blocked or absorbed by Ana. Then without warning, Ana delivered a devastating right hook to the body, staggering Darkstock. Wheezing, he grimly said, "Enough of this." then ripped off his right glove and a knife appeared in his hand. Tossing it quickly at her, she was only able to put her right arm out before the Inversion Barrier kicked in. There was a slight jab as the thin steel blade of the throwing knife, then a clatter of steel as the knife hit the floor, a dent in her armor being the sign it had been there. As she saw the retreating figure of Darkstock, she looked over at Quiet Moon. Quickly, she turned around and pointed her finger at Darkstock. "Time to give Darkstock the finger." she remarked as her index finger launched at him, hitting him square on the back of his leg, barely missing the achilles and ICL. Tightbeaming to QM on all channels, she says #If you can hear this, you have a target. We need him alive. # Switching gears, she aligns with the finger rocket and ties it to her power matrix, but doesn't initate the command. Ana Romanov and Imhotep next on Jerry Springer. =========================== Subject: Re: AAE9n: Omega and Alpha On Sun, 02 Jan 2005 20:46:09 -0800 Patrick O'Shea Said As CAoL Message # 00012343 >On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 00:40:15 -0500 >Dr. Energy Said As CAoL Message # 00012335 > >Tightbeaming to QM on all channels, she says #If you can hear this, >you have a target. We need him alive. #Switching gears, she aligns >with the finger rocket and ties it to her power matrix, but doesn't >initate the command. Fwip, Fwip, Fwip, WHACK! Darkstock drops as the metallic cylinder strikes the back of his head. Quickly, Quiet Moon catches up to the fleeing mad scientist. "Surrender!" he growls. "Never!' Darkstock replies. The mad scientist makes a gesture, throwing something small and screaming at the Kai Lord. Instinctively, Moon dodges, and the small insect embeds itself into the cavern wall, howls muffled by the granite it's currently trying to digest. Darkstock is about to send out another creation when Quiet Moon's Mindforce slams into his mind, trying to knock out the villain as quickly as possible. "I won't be taken down so easily!" Behind his look of concentration, Quiet Moon tries to mask his surprise; he wasn't expecting a psychic shield, especially one so strong. Everything he heard about Darkstock didn't suggest anything about mental training. Still, there are some breaches in the wall, allowing the Kai Surge to work in, slowly shutting down key parts of Darkstock's mind. Then, a fragment of a thought comes through... *...I kneel between life and death, bowing only to the glory that is Cener...* "You...peeked..." Darkstock gasps, passing out. Quickly, Quiet Moon runs over, but is unwilling to touch the body of the scientist. /I have him, and I think I know who one of his benefactors might be./ he reports, finally slinging a length of micro-line around Darkstock's legs, and dragging him back. /Handle him VERY carefully. / Patrick O'Shea -Cener Druids created By Joe Dever. Cener Vow last printed in 'Magic of Magnamund' by August Hahn. --And why Darkstock? It's the name. Dimension-hopping super-heroes love louts with names like 'Darkstock'. Just screams 'ooooh, eldricht!' ===========================