III.151
sigh...temp boy is hard at work now at a dental insurance company...
and weil 520(?) is open some nights, but not all.
and my dad is excruciatinly slow about sending me the promised modem.
so my general mbbs usage, not to mention my vvcing, has slowed down...and
will stay slow for a while.
BUT, in consequence, i will try to make every vvc installment i post as
action packed as possible...so that we can get out of this time warp and
back to the cafe we know and love... :)
User: traveler: 8 to 5 mix
Date: 14-Oct 02:41 AM 782102489
III.152
VVC>> The downtown sound
==============================================================================
CADO hands a slip of paper to a cabbie outside The Pit. The man
grunts & nods, then presses the button that opens the rear door of the car.
Cado gets in, and the battered electric vehicle glides quietly through the
narrow streets of the Dredge, southeast towards Old Town.
_I've been...feverish lately,_ he thinks. _Have I been lost in VR? Or
drugs? Nahhh...I haven't touched anything like that for a long time, since
before I started working at the V...the...the Pit._ He shakes his head, almost
angry at his own confusion. What are these snatches of words and pictures at
the corners of his mind?
Images flicker through his mind, like the numbers on a spinning roulette
wheel or the illustrations on a deck of cards being shuffled. He tries,
unsuccessfully, to sort them all out. When the cab arrives at its destination,
he is grateful for the distraction.
He runs his card through the driver's fare reader, and gets out. It is
early evening, near the ancient cathedral in the heart of the City. The
streets are gleaming wet from rain earlier in the day; the gothic stonework of
the old, boarded-up building is darkened by the damp. From somewhere along the
decrepit street comes unexpected beauty...in the form of sound.
Cado follows a delicately chiming melody and a wordless woman's voice
past half a block of gutted tenements. The concrete walls are reflecting the
sound treacherously; is it coming from behind him? He has to cross the street
to figure it out: the music is coming from an alleyway next to the Cathedral.
He peers down the dark crevice doubtfully. A light in a window at the end of
the alley goes out, and the music stops. He turns away dejectedly, and walks
to the chipped stone staircase leading up to the church doors.
He is sitting on these steps a couple minutes later when a figure emerges
from the alley. Cado looks up...and sees a very old, frail man. Recognition
shouts a name in his head, and it crosses his lips instantly: "Orphan!"
The old man smiles, and shuffles over. "I've been waiting for you," he
whispers. "Years and years..." He stumbles, and Cado holds his frighteningly
light body. "So many years...I can see across them..."
"I know...something's been lost across all these years. What do you see,
Orphan?"
"A...a tavern...in a meadow...they're...they're digging in the kitchen..."
"What else?" What the Orphan sees makes sense to him! He's seen it too,
somehow. But the old man can see no more, and shakes his head sadly. Cado
helps him up. "I'll take you out to dinner, in a better part of town than
this. Maybe we can reminiscence about days gone by..."
User: TRAVELER
Date: 18-Oct 07:43 PM 782509409
III.153
Suddenly, the lone figure of SIREN with a flashlight and a toy with catnip
walks by....
"here, kitty, kitty," she yelled.
... and then she noticed everyone staring at her...
"sorry... i'll just find my way to another board, then....."
User: SIREN
Date: 19-Oct 01:19 AM 782529553
III.154
The Cardinal suddenly appears out of nowhere and crosses the room
to where a man sits alone at a table...
"*ahem* Venkman?"
"Yes?"
"I just thought I'd show you something:"
And he hands him a scrawl which reads:
=>ss cb
CB == "run Public$:[exe]cb"
=>cb
The CB server is down. Send mail to HOTLINE.
%SYSTEM-W-NOSUCHDEV, no such device available
"Have a nice day"
And he was gone as quickly as he came....
User: Cardinal Ximinez
Date: 19-Oct 03:07 AM 782536059
III.155
Venkman replied, "And this is important to me because..."
And they all lived happily ever after. The end.
User: VENKMAN
Date: 19-Oct 12:32 PM 782569977
III.156
Yea!! It's over!! :)
User: Aqua22
Date: 20-Oct 09:56 AM 782646995
III.157
What are you talking about? We just reopened! Now get back to the kitchen
and start cooking! :)
User: TRAVELER
Date: 20-Oct 06:06 PM 782676413
III.158
(explanation follows...)
User: TRAVELER
Date: 20-Oct 06:41 PM 782678522
III.159
VVC: "Cunning, milady!"
===============================================================================
"I smell a rat, dear John," TRAVELER says venomously. He and John Waller
are sitting in the Red Room, discussing the hearing at the Ministry of Taverns
the previous day. "I tell you, 'twas the Archbishop and VENKMAN's chamberlain,
sure as I'm in this room with you now!"
"Perhaps so. That and tuppence will get you a mug of my `java.'"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, maybe you did see them bribing the inspector...what good will it
do you? You can't make such accusations public." John sighs. "We're closed,
and that's all there is to it. At least it's freed us up for cellar digging...
we've almost got it done, you know."
"Hmph. A cellarful of wine that'll never be sold."
"Cheer up, now," John says. "We've all got to--"
The door opens, and a solemn-looking man enters. "Her Grace the Lady
LYDIA," he intones. Trav and Sylvar quickly stand, and bow as she enters.
The man withdraws and closes the door.
"Do sit down. No need for a fuss," she says. "Now, Traveler. What's
this I hear about your tavern being shut down? Tell me the whole story. But
first bring me a flagon of wine...I've been out hunting, and the fox gave
quite a chase today."
The wine is brought, and the story is told--including the glimpsed bribe.
Lydia ponders for a moment, then speaks. "Two questions. First: are you sure
you saw--"
"Absolutely."
"All right. Second: were you taking extra long lunches?"
"Hmmm...well...you see, I didn't know...I mean, there were a few times...
I suppose...well...sometimes, yes."
She looks at him. "Here's what I'll do. You'll reopen this tavern
tomorrow--"
"But how!?" Trav exclaims. Sylvar looks equally perplexed.
"Just listen. From now on, you'll work for me directly. This building
and the land it's on already belong to me, the lady of the estate. If the VVC
is then registered as a business in my name, it doesn't fall under the
jurisdiction of the Official Ministry of Taverns. Of course you won't own the
business, or collect the profits...but you won't have to pay rent either. And
with the salary I'll pay you, plus bonuses..." She smiles faintly. "I don't
think you'll notice the difference."
"Cunning, milady!" John Waller says.
"One more provision: you'll get twice as long for lunch as before. But
don't dare take any longer."
Traveler grins. "It's a deal!"
User: TRAVELER
Date: 20-Oct 06:42 PM 782678556
III.160
"There's a stain on my notebook where your coffee cup was..."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAHAM, who has been spending as little time as possible at the Tavern
since the scuffle which sent her and Costello riding off into the night, sneaks
back to the kitchen and discovers JOHN WALLER stirring a cauldron of boiling
"java."
"John, my man," she says, "I believe I could drink a cauldron full of
your aromatic elixir all by myself."
John dips two steins into the pot and hands her one, still warm and
dripping. "Well, you can't have it _all_, he says, but here's some on the
house."
ECSTASY, who's been singing "love is always over in the morning" (_a
bizarre refrain_, Graham thinks, _but someone could make a fortune on such a
song in another time..._) for the last hour or two, enters and says, "I can't
remember the last time either of you drank anything else."
"Well, milady," Graham says, winking, "I have come to depend on the
stuff--have become, in fact, a veritable java fiend. There's simply not enough
time in the day without it."
"I know what you mean," John says. "By the way, did you hear that LADY
LYDIA has re-opened the Tavern?"
"No...I hadn't heard. But I must say I'm relieved. I've grown fond of
this place..."
User: Graham
Date: 20-Oct 08:58 PM 782686737
III.161
VVC: Some friends stop by.....
======================================================================
"We need to prepare for our trip. I'm sure they won't let us go armed
very well." Vision climbed into the Hovercraft. Drakehart followed.
"I gather that means we are going back to see Insulin."
"Yes, and to pick up a few things." Vision and Drakehart were silent
until reaching Insulin's place. Vision heard voices beyond the door.
"Alright, where are they?" *smack* "You don't say much do you? You'll
talk soon enough." A drill started to whir.
Vision turned to Drakehart, "Pull your sidearm, follow me." A beam of
light came from Vision's finger and disabled the lock. Vision's left thigh
opened up and he removed a shotgun. The right thigh produced a large pistol.
Vision whispered, "Tactical Combat Mode."
"Great trick." said Drakehart as Vision kicked the door open.
Bodies lay about the room bleeding. Several men open fire but the rounds
deflect off Vision's armor. Rounds pierce through the two men next to the
stairs. "Two down Vision." Drakehart runs over their bodies and continues
upstairs.
A hail of bullets deflect off Vision's body armor. Three rounds dropped
two of Insulin's captors and she violently crushes the third's throat. A burst
from Drakehart's pistol ripped through the armor of the man in the corner.
Drakehart turned to face the two men coming down the stairs. The man in front
of Insulin struck her with incredible speed and she crumpled to the ground.
He then reach for something under his coat. Vision collided with another
figure, crushing his throat with the butt of his pistol.
Assesment: No damage. Figures 7,8,9,11,12 disabled. Two figures (14,15)
entering quadrant 3 engaging DH. Hostage disabled. Figure 10 armed with
military issue High Velocity Explosives (HVE) in a personal MX42.
Command: Evade: [Y]/N :
The default command kicks in and Vision dives out a window. The round
that follows strikes a vehicle, destroying it. Drakehart rushes up the stairs
at his opponents firing accurately. He leaps over the falling bodies and
continues upstairs. Drakehart fires at a man jumping in the open window. He
doesn't land on this floor. Drakehart then continues to check the other rooms.
The man walks to the window with Insulin as a body shield, "Still too
slow Jian." Insulin elbows the figure but he does not budge, "Fiesty isn't
she? Where is that Archive? That humanoid timepiece you have walking around
with you? I believe you call him Drake something or other? He's corporate
property."
"Yeah, what corporation?"
"You know I can't reveal my sources. Let's just say, they know you real
well. Beside, haven't I beaten you enough? Just hand him over and you both
live."
"Actually, I didn't see where he went." Vision looked as he saw a
CyberPsycho Police Assault Vehicle heading toward their location, "Ok, he's
gotta be in there somewhere. I'll look for him."
"You bette*AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!" Sparks leapt from his body.
He convulsed as did Insulin and they both dropped to the ground revealing
a smiling Drakehart. He held up two wires.
Inspector Tark calls out to him over a vehicle intercom, "Don't move
Vision! You're under arrest!"
Command: Evade.
"Good move! We better get moving!" Vision shouted as he dodged the fire
from the CyberPscho Squad's Vehicle. Drakehart grabbed Insulin's body and
followed Vision into the basement. They disappear into a secret passage just
before the CyberPsycho Squad bursts in.
Drakehart turns to Vision. He is surprised he can see in the darkness.
Drakehart follows Vision, "Where are we going?"
"A few prepared people have several secure areas throughout town. We're
going to armor up. Then we go to Emit Flesti."
User: VISION
Date: 21-Oct 09:00 AM 782730047
III.162
VVC: The Hanged Man
==============================================================================
"Mmmff...urgh...*gasp*...this sucks!" says GHOST breathlessly, as one of
VENKMAN's thugs pulls his head from a trough of dirty water. Ghost, a couple
thugs, and Lord Venkman are in the stables at Chateau du Venk, engaging in a
little question-and-answer session.
"That's really not the answer I'm looking for," Venk says, and motions to
the thug holding Ghost, who forces the thief's head back under the water.
After a dangerously long time, he is allowed to resurface.
"Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way," says Venkman. "Maybe I should
be using more water. Why don't we go for a swim in the river? It's right out
back, you know. Vito, do you still have that handy pair of iron boots that
TIPMO the blacksmith forged?"
"Uh...no, I think we, uh, used them on the last guy."
Just then Sir Guy of NORM pokes his head in the stable door. "Are we
having fun yet?" the chamberlain says, taken aback.
"Would you get out of here?" the lord of the manor replies.
"But you told me to start the hay wagon! I'm here to get some hay--"
"Don't bother with hay! Just get on the blasted wagon and ride around the
estate for a while! And leave me alone!" Norm sighs dejectedly, and slouches
away. A moment later, horses' hooves and wagon wheels begin to clatter against
cobblestones nearby, then fade away slowly.
"Hey, guys?" Ghost says, dripping and miserable. "Could we forget about
that swimming idea?"
"Sure," says Venkman. "Just tell me where you got that riding crop...and
where it is now."
"I can't do that."
Venkman scowls. "All right..forget the iron boots. We'll make a public
example of you...and who knows, maybe whomever you're protecting will step out
of the woodwork. Vito, round up some laborers and have a gallows built in the
village square..."
Ghost shakes his head. "This really, really, really sucks..."
* * *
Down the road at the Virtuous Vagabond and Comrades, preparations are
underway for the Grand Re-Opening. It is to be a festive occasion, with
garlands of flowers, music (thanks to Orfeo and FIREFLYTE), dancing, a bonfire
when it gets dark, and plenty of good ale furnished by ECSTASY. Along with
the rest of the tavern crowd, TRAVELER is feeling fine and dandy. Until...
As he is re-hanging the sign that he was so recently forced to take down
from its place above the front door, the tavernkeeper notices a piece of
pasteboard blowing along the dusty road. He climbs off the ladder and picks up
the card, for a card it is. Looking at it, he shivers. "The Hanged Man..."
User: Traveler
Date: 25-Oct 06:16 PM 783109032
III.163
"i finally found someone
to turn me upside-down
and nail my feet up
where my head should be
if they had a king of fools
then i could wear that crown
and you can all die laughing
because i'll wear it proudly"
--E. Costello
User: GRAHAM
Date: 27-Oct 01:22 PM 783264149
III.164
VVC: Hanging by a thread
==============================================================================
A traveler has brought a handbill to the VVC, and now the regulars in
the White Room crowd around to read it:
HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
A
H A N G I N G
In Venkton Village Square, To-Morrow, 9 a.m.
Execution of the notorious Thief GHOST, on Charges of Burglary
of various & sundrye Items, including Riding Gear &c.
A troubled murmur goes up through the tavern. Since his arrival some weeks
ago, Ghost has developed a certain reputation among the VVC's patrons--they
hold on to their wallets tightly and keep their doors locked when he's around.
Still, they can't help but find him amusing and clever, and certainly don't
want to see him hanged.
Most of them, anyway. "Serves him right!" grumbles TIPMO the blacksmith,
here on one of his periodic visits. "In my day, we used to hang, draw and
quarter thieves! Or burn 'em at the stake! The problem is these young'uns
nowadays...no respect for their elders!"
"Here's another mug of spiced wine," says ECSTASY soothingly. "Now just
calm down...it won't do to get too excited at your age." She goes over and
joins the group reading the handbill. "Riding gear..." she murmurs, troubled.
_Could it be TRAVELER's riding crop? Maybe he was the one who stole it from
my room..._
GRAHAM, too, is reading the notice. "Riding gear..." _...the crop I
bought from him!_ Graham looks up, to see X staring at her curiously.
"Did you say something?" the serving wench asks.
"Er, no, just thinking--reading out loud..."
"You said `riding gear.'" She takes Graham by the arm. "Could you come
with me for a moment? I think we need to talk."
In the Red Room, they are alone, save for Orfeo practicing his flute
onstage. "What's this about?" Graham asks quietly.
"That's what I'm asking you. All right, what it's about is the riding
crop. Ghost stole it from me...Traveler said he recently saw Ghost selling
something to you, and I'm guessing that's what it was."
"Yes...he sold me the riding crop. He stole it from you?" Graham looks
at her sharply. _My search may be over! But..._ "Where did _you_ get it?"
"I don't know if I want to tell you that...yet."
"I can pay you quite handsomely--"
"I don't want money," Ecstasy says. "I want your help in rescuing Ghost.
I hate to see him hanged. I know this is the Middle Ages, and the height of
Gothic, but he's a more Goth boy than most, and I feel a kinship. Help me
rescue him, and I'll tell you all about the riding crop."
Graham sighs. _A stubborn young lady...but I don't want to see the lad
hanged either...and I must find out where this riding crop comes from!_ "Very
well...I shall help you."
User: TRAVELER
Date: 31-Oct 02:19 AM 783569975
III.165
YAY!!!!!!!!
Goth Girl and Java Girl can save the day!
User: ECSTASY
Date: 31-Oct 03:26 AM 783574005
III.166
and ya'll better watch out for that riding crop cuz they know how to use it!
User: Graham
Date: 31-Oct 08:53 AM 783593602
III.167
Hangin's too good for 'im.... Burnin's too good for 'im...
He should be chopped into a million peeces and Buried ALIVE!
X, Graham: Oh bring him to the stables... I'll keep him away from the police..
I swear, I won't kill him... I'll just make him wish he was undead...
User: PERIGRINE
Date: 1-Nov 07:45 PM 783719118
III.168
VVC: Into the night
===============================================================================
At midnight, twelve hours before GHOST is scheduled to hang in the village
on VENKMAN's estate, GRAHAM and ECSTASY meet in the stables of the Virtuous
Vagabond and Comrades. PERIGRINE the stablemaster is there as well. "What's
the idea, X?" he grumbles. "I wanted to go to bed early tonight."
"Would you rather go to bed early, or go to bed happy?" the bar wench
coos.
"Hmmmm..." Perigrine wiggles his eyebrows.
X cracks her whip. "Happy with the thought that you've helped the cause
of justice!" Perigrine frowns. "I asked you here because I need to borrow a
horse, and some equipment. Graham and I have...a mission in mind..."
Perigrine takes her aside. "Just between us, wouldn't you prefer me to
him? I mean look at him! Not to be insulting, but...he's kind of
effeminate..."
"Peri, we're not going out on a lover's tryst! This is much more
serious," she says.
Graham comes over. "It concerns life and death. Please, lend her what
she needs. I will take my own steed." Graham goes over to where Costello
is tied, and pats him lovingly.
"Do you want Traveler to hear about a certain item that's missing...an
item you're supposed to take care of?" X hisses to Perigrine when Graham is
out of earshot again. He sighs, and shakes his head. "Good. Besides the
horse, I'll need some rope, and one or two other items..."
With the help of the stablemaster, they are soon ready. The pair of
adventurers don heavy cloaks against the weather, which is turning crisp with
the onset of autumn, and ride out into the night...
User: TRAVELER
Date: 3-Nov 11:21 PM 783904957
III.169
Funny, I only just now figured out the long-lunch thing... Heh...
* * *
Transporting Insulin (also known as Alex), an odd buy very competent techie,
VISION and DRAKEHART are now on the run from the CyberPsycho squad (a special
unit of police who deal with cyber-psychotic criminals and apparently feel
that Vision is such an individual). They travel through a short tunnel that
connects the basement of Insulin's apartment building to one of several
abandoned layers of transportation tunnels.
Drakehart is surprised to find he can see in the dark. Apparently, the
equipment in his head, at least partially nano-based, is able to fantastically
boost his body's natural functions. He senses that increased hearing
sensitivity
is as easy as focussing a thought, but dares not try it for fear of damaging
his own hearing.
*Silly,* he thinks, *me worrying about my hearing. Heh.*
Insulin's body is surprisingly light, but even so Drakehart soon tires of
carrying her. Vision takes over the task with almost no thought, yet handles
her with remarkable gentleness. Drakehart notes this without comment, but adds
it to the slowly-growing profile of the ex-boxer. The advanced nano-computers
do an amazing amount of work with very little prompting, apparently able to
work instinctively towards whatever goal is upmost in Drakehart's mind. So
while
a tiny section of his brain is doing a fairly sophisticated psychological
analysis on a virtual model of Vision's somewhat volatile personality, and
another part perfectly maps their movements as it builds an internal map of
the tunnles' lay-out, most of his thinking runs along the lines of...
*Who the hell thinks they own me?*
*How serious a threat are they?*
*What, or who, or where, is Emit Flesti?*
*Where the FUCK did everyone GO?!*
In surprisingly short time, the three arrive at another basement, though a
small connecting ladder and vertical tunnel. It is smaller and dingier than
the basement of Insulin's apartment building, and crowded with stuff. Vision
sets Insulin down carefully on a deformed matress with a faded fractal pattern
printed on it. She groans slightly.
"She's not in great shape. May have a concussion," Vision says off-handedly.
"But there's no immediate danger of termination."
"That's good," Drakehart says. "Is she able to walk on her own, you think?"
"She's still unconscious."
"Oh. Sorry..."
Vision stands up and looks around. "This is the hidey-hole for some...
associates of mine. They owe me a few favors for keeping their asses safe."
"You said something about armoring up?"
Vision nods. "Yeah." He glances at Drakehart, giving him a quick assesment
with professional precision. "We have *got* to get you some real gear," he
says,
with the obvious disdain of someone who considers a shotgun to be as basic as
a pair of comfy socks.
"Are your... associates... going to be any good in helping us?" Drakehart
sniffs, kicking aside a small piece of junk on the floor of the basement.
"They should," Vision says, "seeing as they run the biggest Military surplus
store in town."
"Ah."
User: Psychosis Paradigm
Date: 8-Nov 06:16 AM 784275393
III.170
Cado: ack...my Vax time's been scant lately...but I will get an update
together soon, I promise. :) Meanwhile:
VVC: Last chance
===============================================================================
The sun has been up for a few hours. GHOST has slept late, and been given
a rather nice breakfast by VENKMAN's guards..._or maybe it just seems nice
because it's the last one_, he thinks sadly. _You know, I should have eaten
breakfast more often..._
The many bolts on the door of his room are slid back, and Lord Venkman
himself enters. "Reconsidered?"
"Uh, yeah. I've decided not to be hanged after all. If you don't mind,
I'll just be leaving--"
"Not...so...fast. You _can_ actually decide not be hanged. All you have
to do is tell me two things. Where did you get the riding crop? And who did
you sell it to?"
"Why are you so interested in that stupid riding crop?"
"Because it's not just any riding crop! It had a very special symbol
carved into its handle..."
"You mean that rose-and-sword thingy?"
"For your information, the rose twined around the sword is the baronial
crest of Viar! Do you understand what that means? A member of the Viaran
royal family originally owned that crop, and I want to know who and where he
is! He could be...of use to me. So tell me...WHERE DID YOU GET IT AND WHO DID
YOU SELL IT TO???"
"Are we gonna play that game again? You're boring! I wanna play
something else!" says Ghost.
"We could play the swimming game I told you about! Or some other fun
ones...like the red hot poker game. Here's a hint: it has nothing to do with
cards."
"Ohhh, I dont think I like the sound of that game..."
"Dammit, I _will_ have those answers from you before you hang!" Venkman
blusters. "Even if I have to get...ahem...medieval on you. Guards, bring
him with me..."
User: TRAVELER
Date: 9-Nov 04:54 AM 784356897
III.171
"Iron Maiden? You've GOT to be kidding me... don't you have
any Skinny Puppy?" - Ghost.
:)
User: GHOST
Date: 12-Nov 07:42 PM 784669381
III.172
THE VVC UPDATE
--------------
* VENKMAN bribed someone at the Official Ministry of Taverns into getting the
VVC Tavern shut down on a technicality. But LYDIA took over official control
of the VVC in order to have it reopened.
* A while back, GHOST stole TRAVELER's riding crop from ECSTASY (who was
"borrowing" it). He tried to sell it to Sir Guy of NORM, who reported the
strange design on its handle--a rose twined around a sword--to his boss
Lord Venkman.
* Venk, recognizing the symbol of the royal house of Viar, has kidnaped Ghost
to find out more about the riding crop and its owner. But Ghost hasn't
confessed where he got it--or that he sold it to GRAHAM. Now he's going to
hang...
* Unless Ecstasy and Graham succeed in their mission to rescue him. They've
set off from the tavern, with PERIGRINE's help.
User: TRAVELER
Date: 13-Nov 06:09 PM 784750152
III.173
THE VVC UPDATE (Cont'd.)
------------------------
* IN THE FUTURE: CADO has found The Orphan, but his memory of the "past" and
"present" VVCs is confused. With the former DJ, he hopes to figure out
what's going on, and what happened to everyone else.
* VISION and DRAKEHART have been asked by the artificial intelligence named
Osiris (owner of The Pit, the future incarnation of the VVC) to infiltrate
the compound of the aliens, and find out about something or someone called
Emit Flesti. In return, Osiris will tell them about what's happened to the
VVC and its former employees and customers.
* En route to the alien compound, they've been waylaid by attackers connected
with the corporation that Vision used to fight for. After a bloody battle,
they've retreated to safety. Their ally, a woman named Insulin, has been
injured...
User: TRAVELER
Date: 13-Nov 06:09 PM 784750175
III.174
Hmmm... Guess we better figure out what happens next, eh?
User: Psychosis Paradigm
Date: 14-Nov 04:38 AM 784787897
III.175
Nothing.
The board gets jived.
%)
User: BELGARATH
Date: 14-Nov 05:45 AM 784791939
III.176
DA VVC UPDATE
--------------
* VENKMAN bribed someone at da damn Official Ministry uh Taverns into gittin'
de VVC Tavern shut waaay down on some technicality. Slap mah fro! But LYDIA
took ova' official control of de VVC in o'da' to gots' it reopened.
* A while back, GHOST stole TRAVELER's ridin' crop fum ECSTASY (who wuz
"bo'rowin'" it). He tried t'sell it t'Sir Guy uh NORM, who repo'ted de
funky design on its handle--a rose twined around some swo'd--to his main man
Lo'd Venkman. 'S coo', bro.
* Venk, recognizin' de symbol uh de royal crib uh Viar, gots'ta kidnaped Ghost
to find out mo'e about da damn ridin' crop and its owner. Ah be baaad... But
Ghost gots'tan't confessed where he gots it--o' dat he sold it t'GRAHAM. Now
he's goin' to hang...
* Unless Ecstasy and Graham succeed in deir mission t'rescue him. 'S coo',
bro. Dey've set off fum de tavern, wid PERIGRINE's help.
* IN DA FUTURE: CADO gots'ta found De Orphan, but his memo'y uh de "past" and
"present" VVCs be confused. Wid de fo'ma' DJ, he hopes t'figure out whut's
goin' on, and whut happened t'everyone else. What it is, Mama!
* VISION and DRAKEHART gots' been ax'ed by de artificial intelligence dojiggerd
Osiris (owna' of De Pit, de future incarnashun uh de VVC) t'infiltrate de
compound uh de aliens, and find out about sump'n o' someone called Emit Flesti.
Ya' know? In return, Osiris gots'ta tell dem about whut's happened t'de VVC
and its fo'ma' employees and customers.
* En route t'de alien compound, dey've been waylaid by attackers connected
wid de co'po'ashun dat Vision used t'fight fo'. Afta' a bloody battle, dey've
retreated t'safety. Slap mah fro! Deir ally, some mama dojiggerd Insulin,
gots'ta been hosed...
User, dig dis: TRAVELER
:)
User: (dig dis) Evilgreg
Date: 15-Nov 09:47 AM 784892870
III.177
Ok, kiddies...here's some excitement for ya...
VVC: Day of reckoning
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun beats down on the village square, in the heart of Lord VENKMAN's
estate. A newly erected gallows stands darkly against the sky, and a restless
crowd gathers, eager to see the thief GHOST hang. Far off, the bell tower in
the city strikes the time: 11:45, a quarter hour before the execution.
A horse saunters up to the fringes of the crowd, ridden by a cloaked
figure. Not far behind trails another person in a cloak; no one else is
dressed so heavily on this warm morning. The rider stays near the back of
the group, but the other slips through to the very front. Standing before
the gallows, the figure throws back the hood of its cloak--revealing burgundy
tresses and a pale face. ECSTASY's hands clutch the coiled whip beneath her
cloak, and she waits...
Now the sun is almost overhead. Everyone expects the cart bearing the
condemned man to rattle up the street from Chateau du Venk, but there is no
sign of it. A few of Venkman's guards mill about, keeping an eye on things,
but they will answer no questions about when Ghost is to be brought out.
Minutes pass. The crowd is angry. When a group of riders finally
approaches from the Chateau, a cheer goes up from the bloodthirsty group.
But the doomed man does not seem to be among the riders! Cheers turn to
jeers...then a fearful silence falls when the lead rider is revealed to be
Lord Venkman himself. Venkman stops some yards behind the gallows; a guard
rides up next to him, and is given an order. This guard rides over to the
guards standing around the gallows. The guards begin scanning the crowd, who
react uneasily. "What are they looking for? Who?" murmur the disappointed,
frightened peasants.
The guards seem to come to a decision, and nod to each other. Several
of them begin pushing through the crowd; people back away. Ecstasy watches
the guards anxiously. _Who _are_ they looking for? Not...not me?_ But at
that instant, it becomes clear: the burly men are heading towards her. She
whirls, spotting a few more coming from the other direction. The mob
recognizes she is the target, and back away as if she is unclean.
A loud whinny from behind causes heads to turn. The cloaked rider has
caused his horse to rear up; people scatter. The rider heads towards X at
the same time as the guards. The bar wench throws off her cloak and cracks
her long whip fiercely at one group of guards; the lead man jumps back and
causes the whole group to stumble. But the second group is almost upon her.
She turns and snakes her whip out again; this time it strikes a guard on
the arm, and he drops his sword with a screech. She draws a dagger from a
sheath at her side.
The rider has moved between Ecstasy and the first group of guards, and
is holding them at bay with the threat of the rearing horse. The villagers
are scattering in total panic. X is not faring well against the second
group of guards now; others have surged forward past the whipped man, and
one has gotten hold of her dagger arm. The rider sees this, and turns to
aid her--but the rider's own cloak is seized by a guard who has leaped on to
the platform of the gallows. The rider's cloak falls to the ground--as does a
crossbow that had been concealed beneath it--revealing GRAHAM.
Ecstasy can't wield her whip against the man who holds her dagger arm--
he's too close for it to do any good. In desperation, she bites down on his
arm, and simultaneously aims a kick at the most sensitive area of another
guard. But her toes crash against a metal codpiece, sending a shock of
pain up her leg. The guards rush her as she stumbles back, and though she
struggles and curses mightily, they hold her firmly.
Graham has pulled out the famous riding crop, and slashes it back and
forth savagely, driving guards away. Meanwhile, X is carried away kicking
and screaming; Graham turns to aid her, but it is too late. Now Venkman's
mounted guards are making their way through the chaos of the crowd--soon
they will have two prisoners, it seems. Ecstasy yells, "Leave! Forget me!"
before a mailed hand clamps over her mouth.
Hissing in frustration, Graham wheels away, and switches the crop against
the horse's flank. "Go, Costello!" The beast leaps forward and charges away
down the village street. The mounted guards finally get clear of the crowd,
and set off in pursuit, but Graham's trail of dust is all they'll catch...
User: TRAVELER
Date: 16-Nov 09:33 PM 785021630
III.178
VVC: Confessions
=============================================================================
A few hours after the abortive hanging, the Virtuous Vagabond and Comrades
is a tense and anxious place. People whisper at tables of the reported uproar
in Venkton Village Square, and speculate as to what on earth actually happened.
Witnesses have reported that ECSTASY was taken by VENKMAN's guards, and indeed,
she can't be found around the tavern. TRAVELER, the other employees, and the
customers are worried.
Around three o'clock, a sweaty, dusty GRAHAM rides in on an exhausted
Costello. PERIGRINE takes charge of the horse, whose legs have been scraped
by brambles, and looks at its owner quizzically, but receives no information.
Graham enters the White Room tensely, and asks for a mug of ale at the bar.
Meanwhile, a tall, thin figure slinks in the front door and takes a seat at a
corner table. Graham turns slowly, spotting the newcomer, and begins to walk
towards him.
"Weren't you supposed to have a rope around your neck?"
GHOST smiles faintly. "We thieves can get out of anything."
"It's not easy to cheat death--or the Lord Venkman. Usually, such foes
require payment of some kind." Ghost says nothing. "Venkman's got all the
gold he needs...so what did you give him?"
"What do you think? *sigh* Information. He wanted to know whom I stole
the riding crop from...and whom I sold it to. I wasn't going to tell him..."
"But you changed your mind," Graham says.
"Yes, I changed my mind! Venkman can be very persuasive. And his kind
of persuasion involves...water, and shackles, and red hot pokers, and nooses.
I confessed just before the hanging...and he let me go."
Graham looks down. "Now Ecstasy is a prisoner..."
"I didn't know she'd be there! At least they haven't found you yet...
Look, I'm sorry--"
"Forget it. They were going to kill you. I understand. Ye gods, this
thing is complicated! I came to Hexsum on a simple mission. Now it may
never be accomplished. X knows the secret I want to hear..."
Ghost says nothing for a few moments. Then: "So..."
"Yes?"
"When do we rescue her?"
Graham smiles faintly. "Let me get clean and rested, and we'll talk.
Meet here tonight, eight o'clock?"
"I'll be here. And maybe I'll have a few of my...tools...with me." They
shake hands, then stand. Ghost heads back outside; Graham goes upstairs. From
the doorway of the Red Room, Traveler watches them, pondering...
User: TRAVELER
Date: 18-Nov 00:42 AM 785119335
III.179
can there be some bodice ripping in this scene?
User: Ecstasy moves in her own place Saturday!
Date: 18-Nov 01:01 AM 785120513
III.180
"May I have your attention please. No one will be admitted during the squid
scene. Thank you."
--Skip E. Podar (Age 6)
User: VENKMAN
Date: 18-Nov 08:23 AM 785147015
III.181
VVC: Schemes and secrets
===============================================================================
VENKMAN strides into the banquet hall of his chateau impatiently. At the
foot of the long table sits Archbishop MacGillicuddy, his face wrinkled into
its usual sour leer. "What kept you?"
"I've had a rather busy morning, in case you weren't aware," replies
Venkman. "An interrogation, a hanging that was canceled at the last minute,
a half-successful capture, and I was about to start another interrogation."
"It can wait...unlike some other things that have waited long enough.
Such as our master plan."
"The master plan is proceeding on schedule. In fact, I am trying to
locate a possible resource that could help our plan quite a bit."
"What kind of resource?" the Archbishop asks.
"Possibly a member of the Viaran royal family, right here in Hexsum. I
have evidence that such a person is, or recently was, in the neighborhood."
"Baron Hedrick was killed when Miraz took over Viar, twenty years ago...
and so were Hedrick's two children."
"That is what some say," Venkman replies. "Others say that Hedrick's
children were spirited away by loyal supporters of the old Baron..."
"And you think you've found one of them? Hmmm...seeing as our plan
involves provoking a dispute with Viar, this might help."
"I haven't found this person yet...but my new prisoner may lead me to him.
That is why I must return to the interrogation!"
MacGillicuddy nods. "Yes, yes...but there are other things to consider.
What if the Duke returns to Hexsum unexpectedly? Rumor has it he's on his
way...still alive and well."
"That may change...soon. Come now, we've taken every precaution--"
"If he returns before we make our move, it'll never work!! We must launch
the coup soon, whether or not you have a Viaran noble in hand..."
User: TRAVELER
Date: 19-Nov 02:58 PM 785257128
III.182
Max: are you turning into Anastasia?
User: ECSTASY
Date: 20-Nov 11:12 AM 785329963
III.183
*waits impatiently*
"Do you have any cigarettes in this jail?"
User: ECSTASY
Date: 20-Nov 08:33 PM 785363617
III.184
On a different tangent....
After quietly witnessing Ecstasy's abduction, Perigrine quickly leaves
Hexsum for the comfort of his beloved stables back at the VVVVVC. His thoughts
are a chaotic jumble, blaming himself for X's capture and the continued absence
of Traveller's personal riding crop. Confusion turns to anger as he returns to
the stables and he begins to stew in his depressed funk. (Funk Stew is great,
eh?)
'Now how can I save the barwench and keep from getting hung by Lord
Venkman's guards?' he thinks. Minutes pass as he considers just telling
Traveller what has happened but he knows that might cost him his job in the
stables and get him thrown out on his ear. 'No, I've got to come up with a
way to rescue Ecstasy and still keep my job...'
Not long after this, Perigrine begins to feel a little odd, as if he's
experiencing deja vu' or just getting a headache from all the thinking. 'I've
got it!' he shouts and quickly begins to gather up his horse blankets, his
grooming shears, a poker from the stable's fireplace, and a sewing kit...
A few short hours later, Perigrine stands back from the mirror and
grins... he's made the blankets into a nightsuit, cape, and mask and he now
wears this patchwork outfit and he makes a haughty laugh. 'No one.. *AHEM*
(deeper voice) NO ONE CAN STOP THE COTTON PIMPERNEL!' He raises the fireplace
poker over his head and cries out 'ALL FOR ONE... AND ONE FOR COTTON!!!'
He rubs some bootblack over his horse Snugglebear to disguise his soft,
white coat and he readies himself to rescue Ecstasy. Perigrine is about to
ride off when...
'Rod, why have you rubbed shoe polish all over your teddybear? And what
are you doing in that stupid outfit?' Traveller asks.
'YOU'RE MISTAKING ME FOR SOMEONE ELSE, CITIZEN... I AM NOT PERIGRINE (the
loyal, handsome, and oh-so-lovable stablehand), I AM....
*trumpets blare* 'THE COTTON PIMPERNEL!!!'
'Rod, Rod, Rod...' Traveller says as he buries his face in his hands,
'This won't do, you'll wreck the storyline. Haven't we discussed this before?'
'Aw, come on, Max, I haven't done anything this plotline... Please?!!?!?'
'No, now clean up that stuff... you owe props for 4 blankets...'
'BUT, MAX!' Perigrine pleads.
'NO. N-O is no. It just won't fit with my story... you're just a bit
character anyways...'
'I don't have to be the *kazoos blare* Cotton Pimpernel... I could be
someone else, I could be... COTTONO, MYSTERIOUS RIDER WHO LEAVES HIS "C" MARK
ON EVILDOERS!!!!'
'Quit shouting... you're scaring the horses... just get this place cleaned
up and maybe... just *MAYBE*... I'll write you back in the storyline...'
Perigrine pouts as Traveller turns to leave... Now they both have the
feeling of deja vu...
User: Perigrine: No, this has nothing to do with anything...I'm bored :)
Date: 21-Nov 01:30 PM 785424643
III.185
They seek him here, they seek him there,
Those Viarans seek him everywhere.
Is he imagined? Is he in RL?
That non-synthetic PIMPERNEL!
User: Citoyen SYLVAR
Date: 22-Nov 06:02 PM 785527376
III.186
SPOILER WARNING! *see below*
'Ah, another day of work in my beloved stables.' Perigrine thought,
pausing from the morning chores to scratch Snugglebear, his faithful steed
behind the ears. 'There's nothing like morning in the countryside to make you
feel good, despite all the goings on.'
Time passes quickly and it is nearly lunchtime when Perigrine notices that
Snugglebear's stall door is standing wide open. After all the conflicts
recently with Lord Venkman, our hero is understandably cautious and he waits a
moment, trying to sense what else could be amiss. Perigrine reaches for his
pitchfork and moves as quietly as possible towards the stall door.
Long seconds pass and Perigrine realizes that making sudden movements and
getting the horses upset just before lunch wouldn't be good and the idea of
impaling someone on a pitchfork is pretty disgusting anyways. He puts the
pitchfork aside and walks over to Snuggle's stall. 'Nothing... not a damned
thing... Snuggle must've undone the latch again... sometimes that horse is too
smart for both our goods. Probably going to play hide and seek with me all
afternoon... *sigh*' Perigrine thinks. He checks the ground near the stall,
and sure enough, Snuggle's tracks lead out the back of the stables. Perigrine,
although a really good masseur, talented cook, and excellent horseman, isn't
much of a tracker and he completely misses the fact that there is only one set
of hoofprints leading out of the stables. Hey, the blatantly obvious isn't my
strong point, okay?
Perigrine follows the tracks for several minutes before he realizes
exactly how obvious the tracks are and he realizes that he's lost in the woods
near the VVC. 'Well... I've got to find Snuggle anyway and he knows the way
back.... I hope' he thinks. He presses on, knowing that Snuggle might be back
in the stables by now, enjoying a good laugh at Perigrine's expense. 'At least
his tracks will lead back to the Stables if this is a joke. I hope he realizes
that the longer it takes for me to eat lunch, the longer it is before he eats.'
It seems very late in the afternoon when Perigrine realizes he's very,
very lost. The tracks continue on further, but Perigrine sits down by a large
tree to rest a bit and wonder where Snuggle has gotten to. 'I hope he's
happy... if I'm not back in time for evening meal, Trav will probably kick both
of us out in the streets...' he says aloud.
'You'll be back in plenty of time, Perigrine.'
Perigrine nearly jumps out of his boots as he spins and darts away from
the tree. Upon seeing his reaction, the woman smiles and moves all the way out
of the tree.
'You... You're a dryad... a woman living in a tree... that's just
legend... I...Um...' Perigrine stammers.
'I'm not imaginary... I'm Fabrica Soffener... Dryad and Lady of the
Larch.' she says. 'It's time you learned your true destiny, stablehand.'
'It wouldn't be to spend several years trapped in your tree as your
devoted love slave, would it?'
'No, don't be a perv.' Fabrica grins. 'As fun as that would be, you have
a somewhat higher destiny.'
Perigrine wonders what could be better than that when Fabrica begins to
take off her wrap. 'I thought that wasn't my destiny... not that I'm
complaining... it is rather hot today...'
Fabrica blushes and says 'No, Perigrine... I have to give you my shawl...
haven't you heard the legend of the Lady of the Larch?'
Perigrine takes the towel and tries to concentrate on the story instead of
the naked form of Fabrica Soffener. 'Ah... no... I've never heard it.' he says
'but I do know this really good inn with nice, comfy beds and room service...'
Fabrica ignores him and continues with her story... 'And it was written
that whomever shall pull the Shawl from the Dryer, er... Dryad... Shall Be
King!' She briefly considers changing his destiny for a few hours, but she
realizes that there will be time for that after he's saved the world, rescued
Ecstasy from Lord Venkman, quested for the Holy Washcloth, etc, etc, etc...
'Sorry, King Perigrine... you have other things to do... but if you need
to... um... commune with nature... I'll be here... in this tree... you will
remember my tree, right?'
'Of course, Fabrica... I'll be back after evening chores, saving the
world, rescuing Ecstasy from Lord Venkman, questing for the Holy Washcloth,
etc, etc, etc. ' Perigrine smiles, 'And I'll be back as soon as I've saved
the world... you get the idea...'
'Perigrine, go in peace and come back and get a piece as soon as you can'
Filled with a sense of incredible urgency, Perigrine summons Snuggle to
him and rides at top speed for the VVVC.
User: Perigrine: *Spoiler = More to follow!
Date: 27-Nov 09:32 PM 785972014
III.187
VVC: Schemes and secrets (cont'd.)
===============================================================================
A side door opens, and Sir Guy of NORM comes through, looking even more
morose than usual. "Uh, my lord? I heard a rumor about my daughter..."
"Yes, there are always _lots_ of rumors about your daughters, Norm. What
is it?"
"I heard that she was taken prisoner by your guards, at the hanging..."
"Why would I take ECSTASY prisoner, my dear chamberlain?"
"Ecstasy! So you did take her! I didn't tell you which daughter I was
talking about." Norm fumes. "What is this about?"
"No harm will come to your daughter!!," says Venkman. "Now will you leave
us alone??" Norm glances back and forth between Venkman and the Archbishop.
Then he sighs, turns, and walks away dejectedly.
"Will he make trouble?" MacGillicuddy says when Norm has left the banquet
hall.
"Hmph. He's harmless...I think..."
"Well, then, back to the matter at hand. You say you can take care of our
beloved Duke?"
"Trust me," Venkman says. "You just prepare for the `border incident.'"
"I shall. And I shall be ready to step forward, when our poor duchy is
thrown into chaos by the death of its dear leader, and crown a new Duke...the
noble Duke Venkman."
Venkman smiles. "I will accept your offer, of course, for the good of
the people. They will need someone to guide them when war with our enemies in
Viar threatens..."
"Just don't forget our arrangement! You will issue a ducal decree deeding
even more of Hexsum's land to the Church...I've already picked out the parcels
I want."
"Oh?"
"Yes...I especially look forward to carving up the Lady LYDIA's estate.
I think I'll build a church on the site of that damned tavern..."
Both laugh, long and loud...
User: TRAVELER
Date: 30-Nov 06:08 PM 786218921
III.188
ECSTASY is still waiting patiently for a cigarette. She then slaps herself and
realizes that tobacco has not been introduced to Europe yet. She sighs.
User: ECSTASY
Date: 30-Nov 10:12 PM 786233527
III.189
*HEY!*
Carve up MY land, will you?
*draws sword and prepares to defend herself*
wait, i need, like, soldiers and stuff.............
"You better keep 'em separated"!!!!
User: LYDIA
Date: 1-Dec 10:23 AM 786277393
III.190
VVC: Of whips and S&M
===========================================================================
Bolts and locks clatter outside ECSTASY's cell. She looks up, as the door
opens and Lord VENKMAN enters.
"Ah...Mistress Ecstasy...sorry to have kept you waiting..."
"I demand to see my father!"
"Your father is unavailable at the moment--"
"He doesn't even know I'm here, does he? As your chamberlain, he'd never
condone you taking his daughter prisoner!" the bar wench says angrily.
"Enough! You can see your father as soon as you like. Right now, even...
if you'll just answer one question."
X looks at him warily. "Which is?"
"Where did you get that riding crop?" Venkman whispers with greedy urgency.
Ecstasy's mouth curls into a smile. "Sooo...you wanna talk whips, huh? I'm
pretty good with a whip myself..."
"How do you feel about _getting_ whipped? Because if you don't answer--"
"Actually, I was hoping we could discuss...well, you know...a little S & M..."
"W-what?"
"You know...Shakespeare and Milton!"
Venkman scowls. "You are protecting a member of the Viaran royal family! I
will have that information out of you. I'll be back very soon...and I'll be
bringing along a man who likes to hurt people."
X raises her eyebrows. "Oh really?" she says in a bored tone, as Venkman
storms out and slams the cell door. But even now, her mind is racing... _A
member of the Viaran royalty?_
User: TRAVELER
Date: 2-Dec 08:55 PM 786401717
III.191
VVoila... :)
VVC: Revelations
============================================================================
TRAVELER has been working hard at the reopened Virtuous Vagabond and
Comrades, and is long overdue for some recreation. So he goes to his room,
pulls on his riding boots, and heads for the stable.
PERIGRINE is not there at the moment, so Trav saddles Raindancer himself.
_Been a while since I used my gear, but it's nice to have it waiting for
me...except...something's missing..._ Frowning, he seeks out the stablemaster.
As it turns out, Perigrine is prancing about on the stage in the empty
Red Room, a towel streaming from his shoulders like a cloak. As the innkeeper
approaches, he notices that the stablemaster is clacking two pieces of wood
together to simulate hoofbeats. "Peri! We need to talk." Perigrine reins
in his imaginary horse, supplying a neigh of protest, then goes through the
motions of dismounting.
"Pardon me, noble sire. I ride on an urgent mission, carrying a message
which has circled the world thrice. I must take it to ten of my friends by
midnight Saturday, or be damned forever!"
"Peri, where's my riding crop? I asked you to keep a close eye on that.
You know how much it's worth--and not just in material terms."
Perigrine averts his gaze. "Er...umm...can't find it, huh?" He smiles,
but Trav continues to stare at him grimly. "Oh, hell's bells...I might as well
tell you. ECSTASY borrowed it a while back. She said she'd return it, but
apparently it was stolen from her room or something..."
"Why didn't she ask me?" Traveler sighs. "All right, do you know where
she is? I'll talk to her..."
"Uh, more bad news, I'm afraid. Have you heard about the cancelled
hanging? She was there, and rumor has it that VENKMAN's guards took her
captive."
"Oh, wonderful. I don't suppose you have any other juicy tidbits to share
with me?"
Perigrine considers for a moment. "Actually, yes," he says quietly.
"GRAHAM and GHOST are planning to try and rescue X. I know this because they
asked me to help with supplies. But I don't know what their plans are! If you
want to know anything else, ask one of them."
The innkeeper nods silently and turns to go. Perigrine calls after him.
"Look, I'm sure LYDIA would be glad to give you another riding crop as nice as
that one..."
"I'd rather have the first one back. It's not something I want falling
into the wrong hands..."
User: Traveler: Tristero's Secret Postal Mix
Date: 5-Dec 07:56 PM 786657474
III.192
NO!
NOT A PYNCHON REFERENCE!
*runs screaming into the night*
User: Oedipa Ecstasy
Date: 5-Dec 09:17 PM 786662236
III.193
Und now, a blast from the past:
VVC: Echoes of fate...
============================================================================
TRAVELER enters the kitchen of the VVC Tavern and intercepts AQUA22 as
she heads out with a tray of food. "Have you seen GHOST or GRAHAM?" he asks.
But she shakes her head, and keeps walking.
A somewhat grubby SYLVAR emerges from the hole in the floor where the
cellar is being dug. "I don't guess you've seen GHOST or GRAHAM, have you?
No, you've been down there most of the time recently," Trav mutters. "How
is the digging going, anyway? Are the laborers almost done?"
"Yes," John Waller replies. "But they've come across something...
something I think you should see."
"John, you look quite pale. You need to get outside and get some sun..."
"Just come down here and have a look." The look on John's face is grim
as he beckons. Traveler nods, and descends the stone steps into the nearly-
finished cellar.
"It'll take a few moments for your eyes to adjust," says Sylvar. "Take
this lantern."
The tavernkeeper peers into the gloom. Several men are expanding the
cellar with picks and shovels, or filling wheelbarrows with rock and dirt.
A damp, earthy smell pervades the cool air. "This is looking quite good!"
he exclaims. "We'll be able to move Mistress DARICELLe's wines in here soon."
"I didn't just call you here for a progress check, I'm afraid. Over
here." Trav follows John to the west wall of the chamber. "Hold the lantern
up here."
Traveler brings the light source close to the wall where John indicates.
Embedded there in the dirt are a few ancient-looking square stones or bricks.
"Old ruins?"
"Yes. But look at this one..." Trav moves the lantern as John points.
In the midst of the old square stones is a round one, less than a foot across.
Carved on its surface is a crude trident. Suddenly, the air in the cellar
seems colder, and images from a nightmare flicker in the back of Traveler's
mind. *A burning ship...an evil old man...*
"What is this?"
"All I can tell you is one thing. Remember those strange seeds and
herbs that I bought at the City market a while ago?"
Traveler nods. "Your java drink comes from that batch, right? And those
other plants, what did you call them? Topatoes and pomatoes?"
"Close enough. Remember, I bought that lot from a spooky old man, a
trader or sea captain of some kind. He told me he'd picked them up in lands so
far away nobody even knew about them...nobody but him..."
"What does he have to do with this stone?"
"That same trident...it was embroidered on his cloak. I know, the
trident's a common symbol, but...this stone and that old man are connected.
Connected to something very old, and very evil..."
"I feel it too. I can't explain it, but this is something we shouldn't
mess with." The tavernkeeper thinks for a moment. "Do you think the seeds
he gave you are...dangerous?"
"Well, that java packs a b
III.194
VVC>> Rocks and hard places
============================================================================
DRAKEHART and VISION have rested well since their narrow escape from the
mercs, in the underground hidey-hole supplied by Vision's friends. These same
friends have provided substantial arms and technical supplies via their
military surplus business; some of the hard- and software these silent,
mysterious men have offered is clearly cutting-edge for the mid-21st century,
and even Drakehart can tell. But he figures he'll keep his mouth shut.
Now the two refugees--one from his corporate masters, one from his own
century--are alone at last in a small, bare room beneath the streets of the
Hexsum Sprawl. Fed, healed, and rested, they plan their next move. "We've
got three things to worry about," says Vision. "First, my corp friends--"
"We gave them the slip, though," interrupts Drakehart.
"Yeah, but you can bet they're drawing the net tighter. Pretty soon, if
we make a move in any direction, they'll be ready. So we have to act sooner."
"Look, I didn't ask to get involved in your private war. I have other--"
"Hear me out. Our second issue is Insulin. I drew you into this, and
now her too, it seems..." The null-boxer trails off.
"She still asleep in the next room?" Drakehart asks. The other nods.
"Guess she'll have to throw in with us...This is getting complicated. What's
the third issue?"
"Osiris and the aliens. That AI still wants us to infiltrate their
compound. But at this point, it's too risky--"
"Vision, that's the only way I can see right now to find out what
happened to the world I knew! Osiris promised information--"
"I told you, that program is a lying, sneaky sonofabitch! You don't know
what you're dealing with. In your day you had ELIZA...let me tell you,
synthetic personalities have gotten a lot more complicated, and devious."
Vision stands up angrily, knocking the one bare lightbulb with his head. The
bulb sways back and forth, casting crazy shadows on the concrete walls.
"But Osiris has nothing to gain by betraying us to the aliens! And it
seriously wants to know what this Emit Flesti is. I'm sure its research into
the alien compound is sound...I think we can trust it far enough to run its
little errand. Then it'll talk...It's got to know what happened to the VVC
I knew. After all, it owns what's left of the place."
Vision cracks his knuckles absentmindedly, and Drakehart notices they
pop with unnatural loudness. _Damn, he's probably got implants in his hands
too. Guy's a walking Swiss Army knife. Of course, I've got a few wires in
my head...Which reminds me, I wanna play with the new software his friends
loaded into me...might come in handy..._
The null boxer interrupts Drakehart's thoughts. "All right. We'll meet
Osiris' agent outside the compound, as promised. We'll scope the place...but
if it looks too risky, I'm aborting. You can do what you like..."
User: TRAVELER
Date: 13-Dec 07:02 PM 787345345
III.195
Drakehart nods. "Fine with me. If I have to, I can go on without you. In
fact, let me go ahead and pay what I owe you now." VISION perks up slightly
at this. In a few moments, Drakehart has transferred a vast quantity of funds
into the null-boxers secreted credit account.
"You know, I actually have no idea where that money came from," Drakehart
says, "but I got a feeling our corprate pals are itching to find it to. So
watch your ass, ok? If I can... WHEN I get back to my own time, you'll have
to deal with what loose-ends are left over."
"I've been on my own before," Vision replies, slightly cool. "I think I
can manage."
"No crime in trying to be nice," Drakehart says. Vision says nothing in
reply. *Shit, talk about Cynical,* Drakehart thinks to himself. He shifts his
stance slightly, as the disguised Kevlar armor he's wearing (with integral
shock plates) is a tad heavy and lends his stocky frame a bit of awkwardness.
The armor from Houdin means that he'll be much less vunerable in any fire-
fight that may occur, and thus less of a liability to Vision. Drakehart finds
himself somewhat annoyed that he can't be as directly involved in the physical
conflicts as the null-boxer, but then again, he has many abilities that no one
else on the planet has.
Except perhaps the aliens.
Vision goes to check on Insulin, who was given medical treatment in Smoke-
ware's House. She was mostly suffering from shock, but suffered from some
bruised ribs as well, and possibly a slight concussion. Leaving them some
privacy (though he doubted that the Street Samurai was likely to show much
affection... their relationship was still rather unclear to Drakehart), he
decided to run a few diagnostics on the hardware in his head...
} Preliminary. Do the sinister.
* Do the sinister/Diagnostics--Running.
*
* Grade 1, complete. Ok.
} Cues, list.
* Vision enhancement - Audio enhancement - Memory enhancement
Tactile enhancement - Pain control - Spatial mapping - Funk
WebSocket - NetServer - Hallucinagenic-assisted VR - NanoManager
Mental trauma repair - GPS II - Weather - Time management
Notes - V-Files - Defragment - More? (Y/N)
} N.
Drakehart opened his eyes, both excited and perplexed. *Hallucinagenic-
assited VR? If that's what I think it means... But I don't have time to play
with that now.* Most of the cues (ways to call up programs and routines)
were familiar (at least, they were there when he first began to learn the
abilities of the fantastic hardware implanted in his head), but some were
pretty new. Mental trauma repair sounded especially useful. He had no idea
what Funk was. *When in doubt...*
} Cue Funk.
* Standby, establishing link...
* ...
* Funk: Server time out - System on military standby.
} OUT!
Drakehart shook his head. Whatever the hell that program was, he didn't want
to use ANYTHING that went near a military system. He almost deleted it, but
decided not to. Hopefully, in another day or so, he'd be back with... with...
He couldn't remember.
But then... What was that other cue?
} Cue Mental trauma repair.
* Cued. Secondary module on-line.
** MTR V0.82b
** Analyzing...
*This could be interesting,* Drake thought to himself wryly. He noticed,
somewhat distractedly, that Vision and Insulin had entered the room. He held
up his hand when VIsion opened his mouth. Insulin seemed somewhat groggy but
able to stand.
** Quick analysis indicates personality disruption, memory loss and
blockage, pathological violent tendancies, and unknown trauma.
** [ NanoManager engaged. ] Beginning repairs.
*** NanoManager: Neurological modifications commencing.
** Repairs may take some time. Alert will be given if downtime
necessary for completion. DO NOT ENGAGE IN PSYCHOLOGICAL THERARPY
UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPELTED.
Drakehart blinked. He shook his head and said "I won't both to explain, but
I think I started something up."
"Like what?" Insulin asked, a slight edgyness in her voice.
"Don't worry. If anything goes wrong, it'll be me. But if I'm lucky..." He
shrugged. "Maybe I'll regain my memories. Who knows?"
"Memories never die," Vision said, checking his own systems (mostly weapons)
"They just hurt you."
"You're so fucking astute," Drakehart said.
User: Psychosis Paradigm (Everyone should have their own MTR!)
Date: 14-Dec 03:19 AM 787375204
III.196
In a distant corner of the tavern, three kittens nearly full grown
scatter... "Easy, kits, it's only me." Silly little mousers... Where are you
Shauna? And what ever happened to the black rabbit? Delirium picked up one
cat, slower to flee than the others and gave it a scritch under the chin "I
wonder how long I've been out of it." <> "No kit, no food yet, hmmm...
could use some myself." As she let down the tabby, a ring on her finger
brushed the wall and she noticed it for the first time since awakening. The
pattern of leaves reminded her of a warmer day...and she began to remember.
This time without fear.
User: delirium in waiting
Date: 14-Dec 10:39 PM 787445053
III.197
And now, before everyone leaves town...
CHRISTMAS AT THE VIRTUOUS VAGABOND AND COMRADES: A Poem
=======================================================
'Twas the night 'fore Noel at the old VVC
But a few were still stirring (& that includes me).
I was tending the Yule log that burned warm and bright
In the hearth in the front room--the room we call White.
Just that day I'd gone out to the forest nearby
And cut the good wood that was now burning nigh,
And I'd also selected an evergreen tall
That stood now in splendour in our little hall.
DELIRIUM sprinkled the tree with delights:
..maGI Cal bU tT erflieS, s pAr KLing L ig hTs...
FIREFLYTE helped, and with X right beside her
Served DARICELL's wines and some spiced apple cider.
They gave me a glass, and with gleam in my eye
I raised it to GRAHAM, who raised hers from nearby
(She'd been reading a book labeled LAW for a while,
But at last put it by, with a sigh and a smile).
At the same table, GHOST drank his eggnog a-froth
Wearing earth tones, not black (though at heart still a Goth),
And not far off, TIPMO sat, no bleeding heart,
But not too hard-nosed 'bout our fun to take part.
(The word is, Lord VENKMAN just "humbugged!" and "bahed!"
At the holidays...but in the end, he too thawed.
His trustworthy chamberlain, Sir Guy of NORM,
Got two extra coals so his room would stay warm.)
Our good Lady LYDIA graced us with more:
A seven-course meal with platters galore.
The Red Room was where we partook of the feast,
And when we were done, all our weights had increased.
The serving maid, AQUA, said "Wait--there's more yet!
Desserts baked by DIQMAN--delicious, I'll bet."
Indeed, all the cakes and the cookies and pies
Brought glad tears to our eyes (and more pounds to our thighs).
Even what was left over could feed a small city--it
Went to RECYCLER, the village's idiot.
Orfeo then brought sweet tunes to our ears:
A medley of carols beloved through the years.
John Waller served "java" in big mugs with handles
(And lit a menorah that held NINE tall candles), **Op note:
And good Mother Roark blessed whatever Designs Thanx, Gayle!**
Had brought us each into this tavern's confines.
At last all retired, to snug rooms upstairs
And sank into slumber, and dreamt unawares;
But one lonely traveler knocked on the door,
Looking for lodging, though we had no more.
So PERIGRINE told him "We'll do what we're able,"
And gave him a place on the floor of the stable,
For gods, it is said, sometimes wander the earth
In disguise, seeking those who will give them a berth.
Next morning was Christmas, a cold and clear dawn,
And when we awakened, the stranger had gone.
But when I examined the place where he'd stayed,
I saw that a Tarot card there had been laid.
Its picture: a child, all smiling and bare,
That rode a white horse and had nary a care.
And down on the babe shone the rays of The SUN,
The lifegiving light, the Invincible One.
The solstice had passed, but the winter was hard
And the nights were still longer than days; but the card
Brought to mind an old truth--and I knew once again:
"The light will return, and the winter will end."
User: TRAVELER
Date: 15-Dec 05:59 PM 787514403
III.198
Wow.
:)
User: Fireflyte... ...and to all a good knight?...
Date: 15-Dec 11:34 PM 787534508
III.199
Might as well post this...everyone who really is interested in this storyline
is still in town, or has the usual access...
VVC>> And the sky is grey...
===============================================================================
DRAKEHART and VISION have armed and readied themselves. A brief trek
through darkened tunnels takes them far enough from the underground hideout to
disguise its location; they surface through a manhole in an alley. After they
climb out, Vision casually flips the heavy iron cover back into place with one
hand. "Geez!" says Drakehart, as the clank echoes against tall buildings.
"Come on. Let's find a ground taxi," the null boxer says. As they emerge
from the alley, Drakehart calls up photomaps of the Hexsum Sprawl in his head;
within ten seconds, he's figured out where they are--a gently decaying district
near the City's old cathedral. In fact, the church's spires are only a few
blocks north--but Vision has already flagged down a cab.
"Spaceport," Vision says to the driver as they get in.
"Spaceport's a big place, senor...what part?"
"The alien compound," Drakehart clarifies.
The cabbie turns around to look at them, clucking and shaking his head.
"You that hard off, eh? My brother worked there. Came back lookin' the same
...but wouldn't talk no more, 'bout anythin'. Now jus' folds origami at home."
"Just take us there, ok?" says Drakehart.
"Trus' me, senor, it's not worth the money--" Vision reaches forward and
clamps a hand on the man's shoulder. "....Uh, ok, I take you there now."
The cab gets on to one of the old arterial roads from when the spaceport
was still an airport. Out the window, Drakehart notices a number of the silent
black slabs that the aliens use for ground-to-ground flights, gliding in
curving paths over the Sprawl. _Whatever keeps those things up is another
development of their nanotech...some kind of antigrav?_
The cabbie turns on his windshield wipers, and mutters to himself. "Ay,
madre de la puta!" Dull snowflakes drift across the highway and swirl around
the cab. Vision lowers his window a little and sticks out a hand. A moment
later, some of the snow has stuck to it, and he holds it out towards Drakehart.
"What do you make of that?"
Drakehart looks. "Strangest snow I've ever seen. But I guess the
pollution from the offshore factories makes it grey like that...right?" But
as he speaks, he sees it's really more silver-grey. _And shiny, from certain
angles..._ Using his visual enhancement software, he "grabs" a "frame" of
Vision's snow-spangled hand, and magnifies it 10x, 100x, 1000x. "Weird..."
"What?" asks Vision.
"It's crystalline, but not hexagonal like normal snow. I don't even think
it's made of water...well, maybe water mixed with something else." As he
watches, the flakes begin to...well, not so much melt as decay. "They're
sublimating! Right from solid to gas...and releasing small amounts of EM
radiation." He looks out the window, switching to a 1x magnified scan in the
radio band. The Sprawl appears as a glittering photonegative, with antennae,
satellite dishes, and the metal skeletons of buildings glowing strangely. And
the snow...lighting up the sky with billions of faint sparkles...
Drakehart catches more flakes on his hand, and attempts to study them
under higher power...but they vanish quickly, and outside the grey flurries are
coming to an end. "Damn..."
"Look, a factory probably caught on fire or something. Don't worry about
it," the null boxer says. "We're almost there, anyway..." Indeed, the
strange curves of the alien compound--like a nightmare version of an old
Art Deco train station--loom ahead. In front of them, long lines of people,
shabbily dressed, wait restlessly for whatever labor the the aliens will offer.
"This is it," the driver sighs. Vision sticks a finger into the payment
reader on the dashboard, and the PAID display above it suddenly matches the
OWED display. Drakehart follows Vision out and slams the door.
He gazes at the throng of waiting workers. "Now...we find Osiris' agent,
and after that..." His eyes move up the facade of the alien building.
User: Traveler
Date: 21-Dec 06:09 PM 788033379
III.200
VVC>> The gospel according to Osiris
=============================================================================
...And so DRAKEHART and VISION stand outside the looming facade of the
alien compound, at the spaceport south of the City. They see long lines of
hapless men and women shuffling toward the doors, resigned to taking whatever
labor assignments the aliens offer, however dangerous, demeaning, or low-
paying. (One of Drakehart's automatic datasearch programs flashes something
about the Armey-Gingrich Act of 1995 abolishing the minimum wage, but he
disregards it.)
"I hate to think what kind of job Osiris has lined up for us in there," he
mutters to Vision.
"Nothing I can't handle," the null-boxer replies tonelessly. "Oh...don't
worry about it. Your augmentations will probably see you through it too."
"Gee, thanks. Now, where's Osiris' agent? He's supposed to have
information about the VV...uh, the Pit." Again, the twentieth-century
memories, so near but so far! Drakehart wonders how the mental-trauma program
is doing at rebuilding his synapses.
A thin, androgynous young man approaches, eyeing them from behind silvered
glasses. Green flickers from around the spectacles indicate data readouts
on the inside of the lenses. "Vision. Drakehart," he says. "This is for
you." He hands over a fanfold of paper, which Drakehart grabs greedily, and
begins to read.
A few moments later, his enhanced eyes have scanned and saved the entire
document. He lets the smoggy breeze catch the long ribbon of paper and whirl
it away, then stands with a thoughtful, faraway look in his eyes. "What did
you learn?" Vision asks at last.
User: TRAVELER
Date: 11-Jan 08:12 PM 789855135