From the Colonial Sectors of peace and vacationing right to the very borders of the United Planets and the Dark Oval, every telepath and empath felt the sheer pain, fear and despair of six hundred billion sentients being completely obliterated.
Weber’s World
Saturn Girl screamed suddenly, as Kid Prime rushed to her side without hesitation. Using all of her discipline, she fought back the urge to buckle and fall to the florr.
Three rooms down, Spellbinder felt the same surge, immediately bringing her hands to her head to try and calm the influx of emotions being shot into her mind. The recent feelings that her power was increasing were proved correct, as the horrifying results flooded her thoughts without mercy.
And three levels away, Actor Lad and Abin Quank were present with the Weber’s World ambassadors when word of what had happened began to trickle in…
-------Transmission----------
Breaking news!!! Genocide in the Dark Oval!
Story still developing—appears the Black Sun cartel, one-fifth of the ruling forces of the Dark Oval, has been completely obliterated by the Dominion and the Hrykosian Clan! Reactions from across the UP to follow as leaders and citizens alike react to the horrendous butchery!
---------------End Transmission-------------
The Barbarian Hordes, the Khanate of Carthac
Silence. Prayer.
Millions of citizens in the Khanate of Carthac. Billions of citizens throughout the Barbarian Hordes. All silent now, gathering in prayer to remember the capital planet of the Black Sun. The home planet—the Holy Land. Destroyed. Murdered.
Caracalla’s sermons began quickly after news reached the Barbarian Hordes. Beloved members of the clergy that he had worked with for years, some even having power within the Black Sun close to his, all wiped out.
Now the Barbarian Hordes, common every day soldiers and citizens, who believed deeply in the religion of the Black Sun, came out to pray and show their horror and sorrow. They prayed to Sol Invictus to deliver his divine protection to them, who the Dark Oval also hated. And to deliver his divine wrath to the Dark Oval.
The Long 24 Hours, historians called it years later, as the Barbarian Hordes reacted to the news that the Dark Oval had destroyed the Holy Land of the Hordes’ greatest religion. It had to be divine intervention that somehow allowed Caracalla to be there in the Hordes with them, and not on the home planet itself when the genocide began. Certainly, it was divine intervention—Caracalla, after all, was divine himself.
And so, the unity of the Barbarian Hordes that was forged in fear and anger had now been tempered in sadness and remorse. The Holy Land was gone, but it lived on in their hearts forever. It had given them Martyrs.
-------Transmission----------
Breaking news!!! Caracalla to speak directly to the Barbarian Hordes this evening!
Broadcast will be available for residents of the United Planets and the Dark Oval!
---------------End Transmission-------------
Legion World
“Good Lord,” said Nightcrawler shaking his head, “what an era we live in where an entire planet can be laid to waste…”
The rest of the small gathering of LMBers said little. The LMB was currently dispersed throughout the universe, and what was left on Legion World was dispersed throughout the planet. But here, a small gathering of whoever was around had begun, for people to weigh in with their emotions and thoughts. After all, the LMB had always been about friendship first.
“I pity you the most Numf,” said Kent Shakespeare to the Ghost of Numf-El, who was right beside him. The Ghost of Numf-El, usually flagrant, humorous and loud, was now quiet and saddened. Kent was equally somber, and finished, “you won’t be able to have a drink tonight in their honor. I’m sorry for that…” he finished, pouring a glass for Numf, so that the Ghost could do with it what he wished, knowing it would mean a great deal to him.
Weber’s World
“What simple creatures we all are…” said Fat Cramer, watching on somberly as various politicians reacted.
“Princess,” said Abin, “I haven’t been able to get ahold of Cobalt in the last few hours. He did make it out of there right? He said he did during our call recently?”
“He did,” said Crujectra, remembering her ‘chat’ with him not more than ten minutes earlier via their telepathic connection. She was thankful for that, and she knew he was alright via their soul-link. But she wished he was there with her now.
“I didn’t realize until right now,” said Yellow Kid, “just what the Dark Oval was capable of.”
“On a planet without a Spectre, or Reboot, or LMB in general,” added Outdoor Miner, “I’m sure that same reaction must be one hundred fold…”
Weber’s World, Dominus’ Holding Cell
“We’re going to have to alert him,” said Actor Lad to the guards, “but we need to do it easily. There’s no way to judge how this will affect him, since we don’t know for sure how religious he is. But his people are at war with the Dark Oval, and it’ll be important to gage his reaction so we have an idea of what the Hordes will do. Alert me when he wakes up.”
In the cell, Dominus slept peacefully, blissfully unaware for a moment, that he had failed and was a UP prisoner. Soon though he would awaken, and then would pray.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Maxx the Sorcerer’s Workroom, Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza
[Bob the Cat]: As you know, magic users are able to manipulate mystic energy in order to achieve various effects. Most mages are only able to tap into ambient mystic energy, and channel that through the use of spells and incantations. A far fewer number of them are able to tap into leylines, which are a sort of other-dimensional rivers of power. Leylines are a much purer form of energy, and so can be used for far greater acts.
< Bob moved slowly along one wall of the workroom, pacing back and forth like a lecturer. Maxx almost felt as though he were back in school. Although this was the first teacher he had ever had that had to stand on his hind legs to reach his knees. >
[Bob the Cat]: When a mage bonds with a familiar, he is able to process the magical energy more quickly and in far greater amounts. We also can increase a leyline wizard’s range, allowing him to tap into leylines that are quite far away.
[Maxx the Sorcerer]: So, basically, you want me to try to pull my rabbit out of your butt.
< Although he wasn’t sure if it was possible, Maxx could almost swear that the cat scowled at him. >
[Bob the Cat]: I’d check your shoes before getting dressed tomorrow, mageling.
From: LMBP Outpost | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
"Lardy, hon, it's okay..." Dru says, hands on her fiance's shoulders, "...it's not in any way your fault."
"Isn't it?" he answers, his hands to his face, his elbows propped up on a table, his head and shoulders slumped over. "Can you say without any doubt that my actions in the Dark Oval didn't lead to this--this genocide?"
"Honey, if it was in the equation at all, it was only an excuse for them to do something they probably would've done anyway."
"Maybe," he says, now sitting up straight, "if I weren't taking this extended retreat, I could've--"
"Done what?! Saved them?" she says, looking him in the eyes with fiery intensity. "You're still not up to full power, yet. Even if you were, could you have destroyed two dozen negation bombs? Are you precognitive? How would you have known to be there to protect them? Honey, this was a senseless, horrifying act of butchery--it is the gods-damned fault of those sprocking evil Hrykosians and Dominators, not yours!!"
She pauses for a moment as her fiance takes in what she's said and then her voice softens as she caresses his face softly with her hand. "Honey, please don't toss aside the peace we've found these past few weeks. We're in a different place now."
Caressing her hand with his own, he responds, "you're right, baby. I'm not going to throw that away. But we've got to get back to Legion World--now. I-I can't hide any longer."
"Yes, we need to do that, my love, with no further delay." She kisses him gently on the forehead, then prepares the incantation. He uses that moment to wipe his eyes. The next moment, the couple disappears in a puff of smoke.
Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
Caracalla sipped his ice water and soaked in the pleasure of its coldness on his cracked lips. He’d been giving sermons all day and he was growing tired. But things were moving swiftly now. And years and years of planning was reaching its crescendo.
Throughout all of the Barbarian Hordes, and far beyond those borders into the United Planets and Dark Oval, citizens prayed to Sol Invictus for the martyred Holy Land. And each prayer was funneled through him, giving him a charge that was beyond description. Now he only needed one more to do so.
Weber’s World
Dominus began to stir, finally waking up for the first time since the LMB had brought him in hours earlier. Suddenly, the memories of the battle began to come back to him and he lashed out in rage, hoping someone was close to him—but no one was. He’d been tricked and beaten by a handful of Legionnaires. A handful! When his army had been so victorious before. He should never have taken so small a contingent. That was a prideful mistake, and it cost him dearly. He knew better than that though. How could he have made that mistake? It almost felt like he’d been duped into that in the first place. Like he had lost control of his will.
Outside he could hear commotion and he knew the guards were aware he was awake and alerting their superiors. Fine. He’d have fun with them too.
He kneeled now, and began his morning prayer. Sol Invictus would get him out of this. Somehow he’d be free.
The Barbarian Hordes
Yes, thought Caracalla. He has come to me once more. And once more, the mighty Dominus, feared and reviled in countless galaxies, will be dominated by Caracalla’s will!
Caracalla focused his mind and allowed the far away sentients prayers to reach him. By offering up his utter devotion Dominus was giving access carte blanch to the High Priest. And so Caracalla reached in once more, as he had so many times, and the will of Caracalla forced Dominus’ hand.
Weber’s World
“He must be quiet,” said Actor Lad, rushing over to the cell, “I don’t hear a scream or yell or anything. I had him pegged as the type that likes to get loud when he’s confused or afraid.”
Actor Lad rushed over with the Weber’s World guards only to be halted by Outdoor Miner’s words, who had teleported in front of them instead of walking. “Quiet…” said Outdoor Miner softly. “…or dead. He’s stabbed himself in the chest with the metal box-spring of his bed.”
“What?” said Actor Lad rushing over. “Suicide? Without even a word to his captors?”
“Apparently the mighty Dominus has called it quits…” said one of the guards.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
< Maxx the Sorcerer moved quietly out of the bedroom, sealing the portal behind him. He walked solemnly out into the lounge. Bob the Cat sat quietly on a table near the windows, his head bowed slightly and his eyes closed. >
[Bob the Cat]: How is the princeling?
[Maxx the Sorcerer]: He's resting. The psychic deaths of the Black Sun Cartel hit him hard.
< Bob opened his eyes, turning to look at the mage. >
[Bob the Cat]: Genocide is a terrible thing, regardless of the provocation or the target. Slaughter on such a grand scale does something to the cosmos. The Universe cries out against such wanton destruction.
You know what you should do now?
[Maxx the Sorcerer]: Feed the cat?
< Bob chuckled a moment, then his expression became serious again. >
[Bob the Cat]: You're learning, mageling. However, what I was going to say is that we should take a break today. Go and be with your husband. Death is difficult for a telepath, and this most likely hit him harder than he is letting on. We can always resume our lessons tomorrow, when we're all in better shape.
< The cat turned back toward the window, and bowed his head once again. As Maxx walked back toward the bedroom, he stopped a moment to regard the cat. Perhaps there was more to this creature than met the eye. Maybe they could work together after all. >
From: LMBP Outpost | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- The only character in all of literature who has been described as "badnass" while using the phrase "vile miscreant."
From: The Pyngwyn Colonies of Planet Hyustyn | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
< Maxx the Sorcerer and the Crusader walked along hand-in-hand, enjoying a break away from LMBP Plaza and the training sessions they’ve been enduring. Today they were just another young couple in love, walking along the pond that was situated in the center of the park. Children were playing nearby, and there were even some families enjoying a picnic on this warm autumn afternoon. >
< That, of course, was when the other shoes decided to drop. >
< Warned by a precognitive flash, the Crusader looked up at the sky. A transport shuttle was passing overhead, carrying its passengers across the city. Suddenly, there was an explosion, as one of the impulse nacelles burst apart, showering down debris as the shuttle lurched to one side, quickly losing altitude. >
< The young Legionnaires rocketed upward, formulating a plan through their telepathic rapport. It was risky, but in theory it should be attainable. >
< Maxx soared up beside the shuttle, his hands weaving in an intricate pattern as his voice rang out with an incantation. Sorcerous energy weaved out from his hands, snaking up to the broken nacelle bracing, which was leaking radioactive energy. As Maxx’s spell began to take effect, the radioactive fallout began to curb, trapped behind the spell. Confident that his containment field would hold, Maxx dropped back as the Crusader flew under the shuttle. Without stopping to question his ability, the young prince wrapped the falling shuttle in a huge telekinetic field, simultaneously bracing himself with a second field. With a surge of power, he began to slow the ship’s descent, straining to keep the dead weight from dropping down on the people in the park below. >
< Even as the crowd below began to heave a sigh of relief, they screamed once again as the other nacelle exploded, and wreckage again began dropping down. With the Crusader’s attention focused on the shuttle, Maxx moved to intercept the shrapnel. He figured his best option would be a transfiguration spell, but to affect all of the bits of shrapnel would be difficult. His spell burst forth, and suddenly the bits of twisted metal and wiring began to change, instantly becoming balloons and feathers. >
< One lone piece of metal got through, however, and as luck would have it the shard was falling straight toward the playground. Seconds before impact, however, a small black and white cat leaped out of the sandbox. He hissed at the piece of shrapnel, and suddenly the shard was deflected away as though bouncing off an invisible barrier. >
[Bob the Cat (to the children nearby)]: I wasn’t here, and you never saw me. (moving toward a nearby bush) Oh, and I would stay away from this end of that litter… I mean… sandbox. I’m just saying…
< The Crusader gently lowered the shuttle to the ground, panting from the effort. It wasn’t that long ago that he might not have been able to pull this off. He swayed a little when he landed, but Maxx was right there to support him. >
[Maxx the Sorcerer]: That was great, Mykel! You did great!
[The Crusader]: You too, Maxx. I kinda saw your transfiguration spell. Very spiffy.
[Maxx the Sorcerer]: Well, I have to admit that I did miss one piece, but luckily we had some unexpected backup. (The Crusader raised an eyebrow) It would seem that we had a fuzzy little stalker. Bob was following us, and seemed to have set up some kind of shield to deflect the piece that I missed.
[The Crusader]: I thought he could just channel energy?
[Maxx the Sorcerer]: I’m beginning to suspect that there’s more to Bob the Cat than meets the eye.
< Further discussion was put aside as the area was suddenly filled with Science Police and grateful bystanders. >
From: LMBP Outpost | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
“I speak to you now as a High Priest of the Black Sun. But I also speak to you as a human man, as a normal, living, breathing sentient. Equally and utterly appalled by the actions of the Dark Oval and the United Planets.” Caracalla paused briefly, allowing his audience to get comfortable so he could truly begin.
“My home. My friends, my brethren. Destroyed. All that is left is you, my children. All that is left for all of us is each other—and our beliefs. We must have faith in Sol Invictus, and we must have faith in each other. No longer can we be disunited and disjointed. No longer can we easily turn on each other! We are all the children of Sol Invictus! And we have real enemies. Let those non-believers, those that would easily murder and kill us, be the ones we turn a sharp sword to. We must no longer allow one of our brethren to harm another! That is not the way of the Black Sun. That is not what those six hundred billion holy citizens died for!
They have persecuted us! They are vile and villainous, and we must now make our stand against them. The Dark Oval had declared an act of religious war upon the believers of the Black Sun, and has murdered a number too large to comprehend. And the United Planets, who talk of peace and diplomacy, react by murdering the leader of the largest Black Sun-believing population in the universe! Murderers! Everywhere, they surround us.
All of us, each brother and sister among you, now share the same goals. You have common beliefs and a common faith in Sol Invictus. And you have common enemies—those that would destroy us all. They named and still name you as the ‘Barbarian Hordes!’. I say that is a false moniker and we will not accept it any longer! I would like to be a citizen of this great sector of space, with noble believers of the divine faith, but I will not allow you to be dehumanized as Barbarians any longer.
The ‘Barbarian Hordes’ are dead! In its place, now lives ‘The Khanate of Sol Invictus!’ A holy monarchy that will be a beacon of light in this dark universe! A home to our shared beliefs and a sanctuary to escape our enemies!”
All across the Barbarian Hordes now, the people cheered. The love they felt for this man was emotionally transcending. At last, they had something and someone to believe in.
“The process will not be easy. We are a confederation of states and we are on the cusp of war even now. But you must trust me my children and I will always be with you. And by my side will be the divine son of Sol Invictus. The holy war-bringer that was sent here to protect us with his immense might. In his dying words, Dominus named him as the heir to his throne, and I say he make for us a great fighting Khan! Elagabolus will stand with you as I do! And he will smite down any non-believer that ever threatens us again.”
And once more they cheered, their love for Elagabolus pouring out in waves.
It was at that moment that the process truly began. The Barbarian Hordes were truly no more. Out of their ashes, and the ashes of Helios Nocturnos and Dominus himself, rose a new world power the likes of which had never been seen. The Khanate of Sol Invictus. Whose belief in their faith was only outmatched in the faith in their right to wage brutal holy war.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
The Morgue Room. Offices of The Legion World Herald.
Ace reporter Clark Marlowe personally examines the digital video he obtained during the Bat-Fem encounter with the vid-analyzing computer they keep in the morgue. He's still dressed in the tatters of his vagrant costume because he rushed here directly after the encounter. It's so late that even the cleaning droids have finished their shifts.
"Sprock! It's taking forever to clean up this frame where she's lost her mask! I only looked at her at that moment, so the lens-camera only caught her for less than a second...it's so blurry."
In frustration Marlowe rubs his eyes for a moment as if struggling with something.
"Alright--alright, Chloe'd probably do the same for a scoop in my situation, so..." From a jacket pocket Marlowe pulls a microdisc and examines it. "Chloe Lane's prized image-cleaning program...her own invention, the best such program I've ever seen. I sneaked a copy of it tonight. Sprock, if I use it and she finds out, I'll never have a chance with her...."
Dreams of them getting together, marrying, having kids, all that stuff, go through his mind. He's been secretly in love with her from the moment he first saw her--the way she attacks a story, those dark, lovely eyes and hair, that razor-sharp wit, the shape of those glasses--almost noone wears glasses anymore, especially not the ones that have those thingies on the sides that stay on by resting on your ears!
Gods, he loves her, but the Galactic Pulitzer? The ultimate achievement a reporter can have? He wonders what Chloe must have sacrificed to get hers....
At once, he inserts the disc into the vid-analyzer. He hopes his and Chloe's would-be children will forgive him if this nullifies their existence. The program works wonders and delivers a perfectly cleaned-up image of the still frame within a minute.
[Elsewhere, simeultaneously, Harold Wyandotte sees the image via his surveillance and immediately gasps. "Her? How is this possible? I've got to take care of this at once!" He turns off his screen, dons his cloak and immediately heads out of his secret HQ.]
Marlowe studies the image of the raven-haired, dark-eyed woman. "My! She certainly is beautiful! But she doesn't match any of my suspects, dammit...hmmm...could still be Jada Konti or one of the other two with a portable holo-imager...but if so, why the mask? I wonder if publishing the picture will be enough to get me my Pul--"
Suddenly, something about her image strikes him.
"Y'know...she looks familiar somehow. Where have I seen that fa--?" Then his eyes widen. "No! No way! It can't be..."
Fighting the thought that has struck him in his mind, Marlowe nonetheless pulls up an image familiar to him. "If I remove Bat-Fem's flowing hair and replace it with this..."
Bat-Fem's hair is replaced with the second photo reference's dark hair worn up in a bun.
"...and put these on Bat-Fem..."
Marlowe cuts a pair of glasses off the second image and drags them over to Bat-Fem's face. Marlowe looks at the result and the complete original image, and his jaw drops. Involuntarily, he places his right hand over the agape mouth.
Lard Lad and his fiancee Dru the Sorceress materialize in a puff of smoke, moments after they had left Winath.
"Well," Lardy says, looking around, "here we are...home, sweet home?"
"Of course we are, honey," replies Dru. "I feel like a shower--care to join me?"
"Of course, babe...go ahead and start it up, and I'll join you in a couple minutes. I want to browse the Security updates for a moment first, okay?"
"At it, already?" she says rolling her eyes. "Better hurry!" And she undresses quickly and strolls by him to make sure he knows what he would be missing.
He grins and watches her until she disappears from sight. Then he reaches out with his senses, searching for any signs of a familiar presence in the penthouse. "Hmmm...not here, right now. Probably for the best, given what Dru's got in mind!" Then he shifts his attention again and moves into his study. "Omnicom. Access most recent general Security files. Access code: Lard Lad-Delta-zero-nine-omega-twelve."
working. access granted.
His eyes skim the Security Office entries until they stop dead on one particular file. Lardy's jaw drops.
"NO!" he yells. And in the next instant he teleports himself away.
A moment later, Dru enters the study area, draped in a towel.
"Honey? Anthony? I thought I heard--?" She goes silent as she sees the omnicom. "Oh, no! Hugh has been murdered? Oh, my poor Lardy! I've got to--"
She goes silent again as she sees another item on the Omnicom. "Oh, Hells! Caracalla?" And she sits there for a long while reading everything she can on Caracalla and his activities with Black Sun.
Legion World Office of Security. Matlock's Office.
Lil'Matlock is stunned to see Lard Lad suddenly appear in his office. He's not so surprised, however, that he would forget to press a silent alarm on his desk near his knees.
"Matlock!" Lardy yells. "Is it true? Hugh's been murdered? And by Pru, of all people?"
"Yes," Lil' Matlock says calmly, "but it appears she was manipulated by someone..."
And at that cue, a dozen Security Officers enter Matlock's office, lead by Frio and Caliente.
"...someone who looks a lot like you, Lardy."
"What?" Lardy says with hurt and indignance in his voice. "What in the Hells is this about?"
"I told you, Lardy," Matlock replies. "Everything points to you being behind this, so we have to rule that possibility out. I don't personally believe you did it, but I have to make sure...both that you didn't and that you're you in the first place. If you're Lard Lad, then you will cooperate with the investigation as all Security Officers are required to do. Well?"
For a moment something within Lardy begs to be set free and to lash out at these idiots for this obscenity. But only for a moment. He's come a long way these past few weeks, after all.
"Okay, I submit to arrest," he says and holds his arms outward and together, "you may put dampening shackles on me if you wish."
"That won't be necessary, I think," replies Lil' Matlock. "Ladies, escort the Officer to Interrogation Room 3, please."
Silently, the guard detail heads out.
When they're all out of the room, Lil' Matlock activates his communicater. "Shady, it's Matty. Please meet me at IR3. Lardy is here!"
Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
The Morgue Room. Offices of The Legion World Herald.
Clark Marlowe has sat in his chair staring at his discovery in stunned silence for what seems like an eternity. Finally, he puts words to some of the thoughts swimming through his brain. "Sprock! How can Chloe be Bat-Fem? Can I somehow be mistaken? Should I put this in the Herald? Gods...maybe I should confront her wi--!"
"Ahem."
Clark is so stunned by this intrusion that he falls out of his chair. Looking up, he sees: "Chloe?"
"Yeah, Kansas...it's me." (Chloe often addresses Clark as 'Kansas', mocking his small-town upbringing on Earth's only-remaining farm district.) "Nice picture there," she says, gesturing toward the holo-image Marlowe'd been studying. "Guess my IC program came in handy, huh?" Her dark eyes twinkle as she offers a sly grin.
Marlowe blushes for a moment, then takes the offensive, "you're her, aren't you, Chloe?"
"Yes, Kansas, I am."
"Well....why?"
"Why? Because Old Town needs someone to look out for them. The LMB is spread too thin lately. Old Town has become crime-ridden,and I knew I could make a difference, Kansas."
"But, Chloe, you're a reporter. How did you learn to fight like that?"
"I wasn't always a reporter, Kansas. In fact I wasn't always 'Chloe Lane'."
"What? You're not--?"
"Well, I am, but not before I created the identity for myself a couple of years ago."
"Then...who are you?"
She contemplates her answer for a moment, then says, "I think it's better that you don't know right now, Kansas. I've done nothing wrong, but if people on Legion World knew about me, they would definitely draw the wrong conclusion."
"People like...the LMB?" Marlowe presses.
"Quite possibly. Look, Kansas...Clark...please keep this out of the Herald, and don't publish this picture. It would mean big trouble for me--big trouble."
"What would you do in my situation, Chloe?"
She looks at him affectionately, smiles and says, "honestly, I'd probably hang you out to dry--but I'd feel really, REALLY bad about it! Seriously, Clark...I won't stand in your way if you publish this, but I hope you won't."
Marlowe turns to the holo, looks at it for a long, long moment---and deletes it.
Then he looks at the woman he's adored so much and takes her hand. He says to her, "Chloe, I'd do anything for you."
She looks at him with deep understanding and replies, "I know, Clark. I care about you, too." Then she releases her hand from his. "But I was married to someone I loved deeply. And recently, I discovered that I'm not a widow, as I'd thought for so long. So, basically, I'm still married."
"You're...married?"
"Yes, Clark," she says and looks him right in the eyes, "I am. So if you're burying the story to win me over, you know that's not going to happen. Do you want to change your mind?"
Without hesitation Marlowe replies, "no. The story stays here." And he points to his head. "You saved my life...and Old Town needs you. Even a world like this one can't have too many heroes, Chloe."
Despite herself, she tears up a little and kisses Marlowe on the cheek. "Thank you, Kansas."
Then she takes off her glasses, lets her jet- black hair down and pulls her blouse apart to reveal a large bat emblem.
"I've got to go find my husband."
Within moments Bat-fem is gliding out the window, her clothing tucked inside a pouch in her cape.
Marlowe stares out the window and waves. He feels that he is more in love with 'Chloe Lane' than ever.
Cobalt Kid and Jailbait Lass sat quietly on an asteroid, over-looking the vastness of space. Planets, stars, meteors and other assorted things were in their view.
“I still can’t believe it,” said Jailbait Lass. Cobalt said nothing, nor did his hip-hop robot sidekick S.H.A.G. “I mean, it doesn’t look any different now.”
“Oh, it is Lolita. Believe me, it is. I always feared this would happen, but never in the way it has. This is going to be a long, long saga and it will not be a good one. But at least right now, you can say you’re leaving the newly christened Khanate of Sol Invictus. You’re its first emigrant.”
“Wait a minute—just me? What about you? What are you talking about?”
“I’m staying,” he added, turning to her. “I have to. We can’t let a new enemy, no matter how many old ones it used to be, suddenly burst onto the scene. I need to learn more, come up with counter-plans. Besides,” he added with a smile, “you’ve already done for me what you came to do.” She looked at his face and she could see that she was right. He was completely healed. His healing power slowly but gradually been kicking in since the meeting back in the Dark Oval. He had finally allowed his guilt to go away and was no longer torn. He healed himself and now only one scar, shaped like an ‘x’, remained on his forehead.
“I’m glad you’re better,” she said. “You scared me. You scared all of us.”
“I know. Thank you. For everything. But I have to finish up here. It might be time for me to do some…’state-building’ of my own,” he smiled. She looked at him quizzically. “Never mind,” he added. “But I need to see Crujeckie. And Vee. And Matlock. And Lardy, definitely, to find out what that’s all about. So I won’t be long. I’m sure I’ll pop back up before your little story is over.”
“My little story?”
“Yes! What you came to see me about. World War VII and all that. You must realize this wasn’t it? It’ll take years now for a World War VII to happen. In a way, it’s almost been averted for a brief period of time. The Dark Oval and the Khanate of Sol Invictus will be at war, but it won’t be an all-out battle. Both will have to judge how strong the other is, while the UP is on the sidelines. Believe me, this will not be World War VII. Too many mega-political moves have been made and now there will be a period of consolidation. You’ll see.”
“But…but then what will?”
“That’s for you to figure out Jailbait Lass,” he said with a smile and accent of faux-authority. “But its safe to say that while the Dark Oval and Khanate of Sol Invictus will assuredly be a part of it, they will most likely be on the periphery. You can almost say you’ve weeded them out because now all their cards on the table. It’ll be up to me now to figure a plan on how to deal with them. A new threat has emerged for us to deal with, but unfortunately, I know now that it’ll be one that will be here for the long haul no matter what their immediate plans may be. Caracalla told us he’d make no more moves against the UP, and strange enough, I believe him right now, though I know one day that will change. You need to find out what else exactly you need to do now, if anything else needs to be done.”
“Where should I go then? Legion World? I figured we’d return.”
“I’ve gotten you a ride. And I see him approaching right now…”
They watched as a cruiser got closer. Upon closer look, it was actually red and had a convertible glass ceiling on it. Jailbait Lass smiled widely—she knew who this was. “OhmyGAWD Cobie,” said the voice, “could you *be* any farther away?” Lash Lad stepped out of the cruiser.
He and Cobalt greeted each other with a hug and pat on the back. They were two of the oldest friends in the LMB and close confidants of each other. For the next two or three hours they caught each other up on stuff and talked about a variety of things, most of which were not politics, war, LMB missions or other things. Finally, Lash Lad told Jailbait Lass to hop in. She turned to give him his trench-coat back, but he waved her off telling her to hold onto it. She smiled at his generosity.
“Willikers girl, you have *GOT* to fix yourself up in the back,” said Lash. “No offense, but you look awful! And that white streaky thing in your hair would be all sexy and stuff if you did your hair right.”
She smiled and went into the back, as the cruiser drove off. She could see Cobalt waving and turning and she mouthed ‘bye’ to him. It was probably the most personal few weeks she’d ever spent with him. Little did she realize that because of her, intergalactic war had been averted. She meant to move the jacket off when it suddenly hit her! She reached in, and searched the pockets, and quickly found it. The prophecy, written on the paper that Cobalt had hid in the canister! How could she have forgotten? She smiled. Of course, she forgot the other thing she’d been carrying. The mushroom! Dr. Mayavale had given it to her weeks ago, and she completely forgot about it until now. She even had Dedman’s mushroom too that he unfortunately couldn’t keep once he was killed by Madrox. Her mystery wasn’t over yet after all. She opened up the prophecy and saw a note on it:
J – Let the intergalactic politics exit stage left, while your mystery goes forward. Remember that sometimes where you start is where you finish. Oh, and have a good ‘trip’. – Cobie
Smiling, she folded the prophecy back up. “Have a good trip?” she said, wondering what that meant. She went to put away the mushroom, when it suddenly dawned on her…
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
< Bob the Cat moved quietly along, not so much stealthily as just basically cat-like. Few people even knew this sub-basement existed, let along how to bypass the intricate security arrays that guarded it. Oddly enough, though, Bob moved through the security checkpoints as though he didn’t exist. When he approached, cameras suddenly pointed away. Laser grids flickered off just long enough for him to pass through them undetected. >
< Was it magic? Maybe. Most likely it had to do with his being a cat. Laws that applied to other sentients didn’t seem to apply to cats. >
< He stopped before a large metal door. It appeared that to open it, one must place their hand upon a palm plate located about five feet off the floor, just to the right of the door. Sitting down before the door, Bob slowly looked down at his palm, and then up at the palm plate. >
[Bob the Cat]: Yeah, right.
< Bob placed his paw against the door, and suddenly the door swung inward. Bob then moved casually through the entryway and into what appeared to be a small garage. The room was empty except for one thing: a sleek personal cruiser, cobalt blue in color, with lightning bolts painted along the sides. Tilting his head in interest, Bob moved across the room to stop before the small ship. >
[Fred, the Cobalt Cruiser]: Warning! This is a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed.
[Bob the Cat]: Yeah, yeah, don’t get your pistons in a bunch. I’m just looking.
[Fred, the Cobalt Cruiser]: But… you aren’t supposed to be here.
[Bob the Cat]: Don’t sweat it, Herbie. I’m a cat. We kinda make our own rules.
[Fred, the Cobalt Cruiser]: Oh… I wasn’t aware of that. Ummm… how can I help you?
[Bob the Cat]: Well, you could start by opening up. My paws are killing me, and I’m betting you have nice upholstery.
[Fred, the Cobalt Cruiser]: I really don’t know… I don’t believe that I’m supposed to do that…
[Bob the Cat]: It’ll be fine, bub. You can trust me. I’m a cat.
[Fred, the Cobalt Cruiser]: So you said…
< Silently, the cockpit canopy slid back, and with a graceful leap Bob jumped in behind the wheel. His eyes moved slowly across the control panels. He began to purr softly. Suddenly, the stereo system came to life, filling the garage with music. >
[Bob the Cat]: Sweet.
[Fred, the Cobalt Cruiser]: You really shouldn’t be playing with that. Mister Cobalt hates when people play with his presets…
[Bob the Cat]: Herbie, you worry way too much.
< Suddenly, Bob’s paws beat across the control panels. The canopy slid shut over the cockpit and the twin engines roared to life. Fred the Cobalt Cruiser lurched forward, rocketing down the access tunnel leading to the outside. A loud “meow” echoed in the tube as the cruiser shot out of sight… >
From: LMBP Outpost | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Dru sits in front of her Omnicom and contemplates whether she should actually send the message she's prepared.
"It's a bold move," she says, "and I might fall flat on my face. But...knowing Caracalla the way I do, the LMB are really going to need me in the inevitable conflicts that lie ahead. If nothing else, win, lose or disqualified, maybe they will acknowledge me and be more willing to listen to me if I demonstrate my sincere interest in their politics and best interests."
She hesitates for a moment, then a look of determination steels her Omnicom-lit gaze.
"Omnicom. Send message to addressee 'Election Tyrant'."
acknowledged. sent.
"Well, for better or worse, I've opened Pandora's box! Now, I've got to find my fiance!"
And Dru disappears in a puff of smoke.
The message she sent still shows on her Omnicom screen:
Citizens of Legion World, I have decided to run for LMB Leader, even though I'm currently neither a citizen of this world, nor an actual LMBer. I don't know if that automatically disqualifies me, but I sincerely want to demonstrate my commitment to be there for this great civilization I've made my new home.
I was once a scourge to the LMB, but I have truly changed my ways. I hope you will all allow me to demonstrate this to you.
Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
Antacid lass stood before the Mater-eater Lad Tribute Statue in Pepto Square. She stared up at it with tears in her eyes. She had missed her chance to meet with her heros, the LMB. She really thought she had a chance to join thier ranks this time. And she no longer had enough money to pay for passage to Legionworld. Suddenly there was a tap on her shoulder.
"Hi there Antacid Lass!!" "Do I know you?" Standing behind her were three stangely clad people. The first was a young lady of about 18 dresses in red and black leather with *#$@!^%!! emblazioned across her chest. The second was an older girl of about her own age in a irredesant green costume with a cloud on the front. The third was a somewhat overweight man, dressed in a flesh coloured bodysuit with a mustache on the front. "No, but we know you....you tried to join the LMB and didn't make it, you want to try again. Well we want to go to" "who are you guys?" "Well I'm 'Geez Louise'....My superpower is that noone can swear in my presence" said the woman in red and black. The lady in green said "and I'm Gas Lass. I'm from here on Bismoll. Everything I eat is converted into poisionious gas." "any relation to polar boy boy? smirked Antacid Lass "Ha Ha, very funny" The man in the body suit spoke up. "And I'm 'Ron Jeremy's Mustache'. Its best I don't reveal my power right now as it is a superduper secret weapon" "thats all well and good" said Antacid Lass "but I have no way of getting to Legionworld" "Don't worry about that. We'll provide the way there, you just introduce us to the right people. Are you in?" "Well......OK you can count on me"
With that the four set of to the Spaceport.
From: Fort McMurray | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
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