Dig Site: Maran's Story
 The Dig site as an ancient and blasted world, bitter dust and crumbling buildings are all that is left of a lush and advanced world. Thousands of years have passed since the sky burned and life on the world was seared to ash by the power of a Gamma burst. Days have passed since Maran has heard from anyone outside the survival dome, they had hustled her inside without any explination and sealed the hatch from the outside. After a week of watching vids, listening to year old music chips and flipping through the same magazines for days the Cook stopped showing up with her meals, and then the comms went dead. The site was now as quiet as the cities Maran had been free to roam and explore on her own before "the Problem"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:38, Tue 18 Mar 2008.

Awake, awake again after untold cycles power trickled into his core from the device connected to him by the strangers. Slowly he leached life giving energy from the probes and monitors Subtly secretly he gathered his strength. The task was incomplete, his companion long passed into the unknown. He remained his task remained… SHE remained. If he was awake then without doubt the misguided strangers would soon wake her as well. Prometheus sung in his core, light flowed through the channels of his ancient heart, his body slowly responded. Millions of tiny nano-bots rerouted circuits repaired sundered muscle bundles, cleared the pathways of his body, the long silent sleep had left hi weak and unprepared for his task All he could do was wait, listen and hope.

Hope was not lost several times he had heard the whisper of another, one who could hear, one who could sense, with her he would have a purpose again, he sent out a tiny whisper to her, waking her from her sleep rousing her from the boredom that dulled her mind and left her looking for another voice in the isolation of her protective shelter

    Maran, wake up, you must find me.”

She woke up from the slumber she'd slid into when the vid got too boring to watch anymore. She blinked sleepily, still lingering in the dream she'd been having. Someone had called to her in her sleep.

Suddenly, she sat up and looked around. Had someone called to her? No one had been in for days, and she was running low on food, and those nasty nutibars were horrible, and left a taste in her mouth for hours after she'd tried one. Where was everyone anyway? She got up, stretched, then went to see if anyone had been in while she was sleeping. She tried the door again, but it was still locked. The comm was also still out. She searched to see if there was an emergency switch somewhere for the door.

All she could find was a small vent cover. She knelt down to see where it went. It seemed to go toward another dome. If she could get the cover off, maybe she could crawl to another place and find a way out. She went to search in drawers and things, and finally found a multitool, with like 15 different tools in one small unit. She returned to the vent cover and started trying to remove the screws. Finally, she got the cover off, stuck the tool into her pocket, went back and grabbed nutibars and her MP7 player, and the video game, stashed them in her pockets too, then started crawling down the shaft.

The utility shaft was crowded with wires, hoses and junction boxes. The dim light of the fiber optic lines lit the dusty overheated shaft that twisted and split a dozen times leading to one dead in after another. Finally after an hour of crawling in the dim light Maran could smell the bitter dust that covered the outside of the domes, and the air was blowing from behind her not from in front of her as it had been in all the other shafts.

     As she reached the end of the shaft she could look out over the compound, the domes were all their vehicles were parked exactly where they should be. But no one was in sight, the diggers weren’t at the site the guards weren’t lounging in the sentry tower, even the few animals that had been brought by the workers were no where to be seen. Only the sound of the generators, and the constant eerie moan of the wind over the sandstone hills and tall spires of the abandoned city broke the silence.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:56, Tue 18 Mar 2008.

04:51, Today: Maran rolled 24 using 1d20+4. spot.

  The station is almost completely shut down, from her position in the air shaft Maran could see that none of the warning lights and status panels were dark. even the strobes marking the signal towers were dark. The only sign of life was a quick movement from below the shaft; a shadow thrown by some fast moving shape tat escaped her view. It was too far below her to see clearly, only the shadow and then only for a second, if she hadn't been looking so closely she would have missed it.

She raised her binocs to her eyes and tried to enhance the vision of whatever was moving down there. She dialed up the enhancement to max and looked again. What was moving out there? And why was it dark? Where was everyone?

As she watched she spotted a man dressed in a pale blue jump suit and carrying a sleek black rifle darting from the shelter of one of the rovers moving faster than a skinny looking man should be able to. The man’s clothes were dirty and torn as if he had been crawling through the hills around the station of the city below. However, he was definitely not a digger, or one of the archeologists.

As she watched something else moved, big fast too many legs and too man limbs to be human, she barely had time to refocus her binocs before the shape slammed into the running man smashing him against the side of the rover and then dragging him out of sight. The Mans plasma rifle fired into the air as he disappeared but there was nothing after that except the moan of the wind and the sound of the generators. No matter how long she watched the man in the jumpsuit never returned.

She ducked back into the shelter of the vent shaft, shaking with fear! What the heck had that been? Who was the man? Was it one of the men from the site? She hadn't gotten a good enough look to tell! She wondered if the man dropped the gun where she could get it...But did she really want to try to get out there? She tried to sense if the thing could be felt from her hiding place.

05:32, Today: Maran rolled 14 using 1d20+9. hide.
05:31, Today: Maran rolled 26 using 1d20+6. psicraft.

Listening and watching Maran began to sense the beast. Cold Dark, angry and hungry, the power of the mind she felt was enough to chill the soul. It’s hunger was not sated it slunk away seeking relief from the heat and wind, seeking somewhere to hide and wait for another chance to feed it’s desire for death.

    Further away, patient and quiet another voice whispered not words, not images, something far subtler. That voice set waves of comforting warmth out offering her some reassurance, shielding her from the hate and hunger of the beast, its voice as soft as a spring breeze on her far off home. Images of a quiet park where she had set eating her lunch with her father, played with the shaggy mutt her other had given her as a gift on her birthday. Even as quiet as a whisper the voice felt as strong as steel, quiet, confident, fearless… be still, move slowly, do not fear it is blind, keep near the machines it will not sense you….do not run.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:08, Tue 18 Mar 2008.

She started as she felt the cold desolate hunger of the beast, and wondered if that was what had happened to the other people. If so, it was a terrible death they had. Just like her parents had had. Could it have been what had killed them? They'd not had any marks upon them...

Then she heard and felt the other voice, a voice that filled her mind with courage and comfort. But...could it be the beast, a trick? No, it felt totally different than the first creature had. She slid out of the hiding place, carefully closing the vent cover in case she needed to get back in. She placed a rock against it as well, to help mark which one it was.

She slowly, carefully moved along the edge of the dome until she got to one of the vehicles, guided by the voice, she went the direction it seemed to urge her to go. She tried to look around as she did, to see if she could find any useful items dropped, a gun, a knife, anything at all.

          A Pistol lay on the ground, empty and left where it had been dropped, the smell of blood and something rank hung in the air as Maran crept closer to the Rover, the plasma rifle lay on the ground. The weapon was only inches from where Maran hid. The feet of the dead man stuck out of the shadows, he was curled into a ball on the ground, not a mark on him other than a massive bruise that covered hi fro head to toe, every inch of his body a dark purple blotch shot through with black veins.

     His Uniform was a military uniform, the markings of the Terran navy his back pack lay near by tossed aside by the beast as it stalked away. The rifle was heavy but it was small enough to handle with Maran’s small hands and her light frame.  Looking closely she could also see a familiar pack, decorated with patches and decals of one of the workers, inside she saw the tops of the Uller Skates he had been keeping as a gift for his girl sticking out of them.

She slowly crept forward, picked up the pistol and checked it's ammo levels and power, then stuck it in her pocket before approaching the poor dead man. She gagged and put her hand to her mouth, tears filling her eyes as she recognized the uniform and saw how the man had been killed. Seeing something shiny, she reached down and pulled his dog tags free and placed them in a pocket for safe keeping. Then she picked up the rifle and checked it out too. Luckily, her father's friend had taught her how to use one. She slung it over her shoulder.

Looking further, she saw the pack, and the skates, and got a lump in her throat. She'd met his kid once and knew how much the skates were wanted, and how proud their dad had been to get them. She reached out and pulled the pack near, and slung it over her other shoulder. She'd go through the pack later when she was in a safer place.

Releasing the safety on the rifle, she eadged further along, going toward the dig site, where the pull of the nice mind seemed to be pulling her. She kept alert, but hoped to hell she didn't run into that creature or any of it's friends or family as she moved through the desolate dig site.

     The dig was in a terrible state, their had been a fight, ancient statues crystal towers so frail they hued in the wind and glittered like a million diamonds when the brilliant blue sun hit them, were packed and cracked by bullets and plasma bolts, the signs were everywhere the battle had been lost blood torn clothing and drag mars leading into an open shaft at the center of the dig. However, the fight had not been one sided, the bodies of several aliens lay broken and bloodied by the diggers and guards.
              They were ugly hateful looking things, rust red and black part reptile with plates of hard shell and two massive insect eyes of the sides of their head. A second set of small dark eyes were on the front of the things head just above a nightmare mouth made up of shearing jaws and dozens of tiny hooked palps that looked as if they could rip meat and bone.

She gasped at the carnage and the destruction of the wonderful graceful towers and the ancient statues, not noticing at first the bodies of the strange aliens. Then her gaze tracked down to see where the destruction had come from. She looked at total surprise at the strange bodies, looking sickeningly like a cross between lizards and insects. Were they the reason the site was destroyed, or was it because of the creature? She looked anxiously around to see if there were any other bodies around the site, then went further down the site toward the last sections uncovered. It wasn't so badly damaged there.

She searched as she went to see if there were other items that she could salvage, but didn't waste much time, trying to get to a safe place before the creature or the aliens returned. 07:08, Today: Maran rolled 10 using 1d20+4. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:09, Tue 18 Mar 2008.

    Searching the dig site Maran finds many tools,one of the diggers PDA's a collection of small artifacts and an off looking rod that has the impression of a human hand in the middle it is covered with dust and dirt. as weel as carbon from an ancient fire. She also finds several power belts and a wrist band with com set and map of the complex stored in it's holo projection screen.

” You are close, find the statues of the guardians,”The voice was gentle and confident, the sensation of warmth flowing through the quiet whisper was ore like strong sunlight than any other sensation, sunlight that burned away shadows, and stilled the whispers of doubt and fear.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:08, Tue 25 Mar 2008.

She gathered up many of the things she found scattered about the dig sight, some power packs for the skates, and some other small items that might come in handy. Then she stopped as the warm voice sounded in her mind. It sounded stronger, closer perhaps. She wondered what the statues of the guardians were? She looked around, searching for these statues.

"What do they look like?"
02:12, Today: Maran rolled 23 using 1d20+4. spot.
02:12, Today: Maran rolled 23 using 1d20+4. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:13, Tue 25 Mar 2008.

Searching quietly Maran found herself deep in the inner ruins of the city. None of the surveys had been unable to accurately chart. Many tall buildings had become ruined skeletons of black and blue steel. At the center of the ruins stood a dome glittering like a sapphire in the bright blue sunlight. The dust covering the building had been blown off by the morning winds.

Around the dome stood seven massive statues of blue steel Horses rearing in defiance, massive and magnificent only the treacherous ruins around the area had kept the survey crew out of the area. Somewhere nearby was “that place” a similar dome, imbedded in charred rock a dismal black spined dome shrouded in slag and melted girders as if something had tried to entrap it deep in the barren soil surrounding it. That was where the accident happened five men and women dead with no trace of a wound or any weapons. Their bodies laying in the sun looking as if they had laid down and went to sleep.

"Oh my god! What happened here? How did these people die, and why?"

She went toward the horses, but didn't venture closer to the dead people, or the melted looking blackened dome that looked so forbidding. Instead, she looked at the metalic blue statues of horses that graced the first dome. They looked so lifelike, except for their color. She examined them closley, noting some differences as well as some similarities. They were the most interesting thing she'd seen so far in this city. She wondered who the artist was. She raised a hand to stroke the most lifelike one of the group.

An electric jolt raced through Maran, not painful, almost pleasant. The voice rang in her head as if it were a musical note struck on a crystal rod. She was nearly deafened by the power of the voice. Calling out to the heavens as it shouted words alien to her.

        As she stood there unable to move it seemed as if the massive statue was examining her testing her. The power within it coiling to strike, then it fell silent again. Beside her a door opened into the dome, beyond it a dim light glowed soft and inviting the smell of dust, ozone and vanilla filed the air.

She backed away once the tingle left her hand, scared now, not trusting this sudden opening of doors and the lurking consciousness in the statue! After seeing the dead people around the other darkened dome!

"Oh oh! Did I do that? What's gonna come out and get me? Will I be dead like them other people now? Why did I even come down here? I wish my mom or dad was here!"

She peeked around the horse at the dome, but didn't move forward. She was really scared now, not that she hadn't already been before. But after seeing the dead people at the other dome, she didn't know whether to freeze, run like hell, or drop dead right there from fright!

 The sound of hooves on metal echoed up the hallway as shadows shifted on the walls, Something large moved in the dim blue light sending reflections dancing across the walls as it moved toward the entrance to the dome. Out of the shadows a horse of blue steel appeared, not as massive as the guardians but still larger than Maran. It’s eyes burned with cobalt blue light and it’s mane seemed to ripple and flow like gun metal blue water flowing down it’s neck as it tossed its head and then looked down at Maran.

 ”I chose you Maran,” The Steed lowered it head, the smooth polished steel plated covering the bundles of gunmetal blue muscle brushed her hand as it bowed it’s head. The steel was warm to the touch, once again she felt the warm comforting presence of the voice, it wrapped around her like a protective blanket driving away the fear and uncertainty like a warm wind on a summer day. ” I will protect you, I will always protect you.”
This message was last edited by the player at 09:41, Tue 25 Mar 2008.

"OH MY GOODNESS!"

She stared with her mouth hanging open for the longest time at the creature before her. Finally she realised her mouth was open "catching flies, mom used to say, and snapped her mouth shut. She trembled as she reached out to stroke the smooth silky metalic skin. It felt just like the horse's skin did that she used to pet on her way to and from school every day as a kid. She looked up at the intelligent eyes with a feeling of awe, her jaw wanted to drop again!

       I am Blue Steel,” the Horses head dipped i as it folded one knee and executed a graceful bow to Maran, I rose shaking it’s head and sending It’s silky mane rippling as it gently nuzzled Maran’s hand” You should come into the dome, you can rest and we can talk, you must be tired, and a little confused.”

        Inside the dome several rooms were filled with sacks of artifacts, wrapped in bubble rap and paper, as well as racks of testing equipment, tools and scanners used by the archeologists in their work. Sanding at the center of the room were two other Steel Horses worn by age and partially disassembled as the scientist tried to study them.

 She laughed as the blue horse bowed to her, incredulous at the sight of a metal horse that felt so real! Maybe she was asleep and dreaming. If so, this would be a nice dream so far! She giggled again and pretended a curtsey to the horse.
 "Hello! I am Maran! How do you do?"
 She followed the horse inside, mouth gapped open as she wandered in and took in all the wonderous things inside, especially the other blue horses that were in partial disarray. She wandered over to them and looked at the parts spread out a bit sadly.
 "Awww! Were they alive like you? Did they die? Can't they be fixed?"
 She reached over and stroked one of the horse heads sadly. She wondered if she could put it back together...
 "Oh, if you can open and shut the doors easily, you should shut it, because there's something out there killing people. It killed all the others that were with me I think, unless some are hiding somewhere safe. I saw it kill one of the men...he had a little girl my age too, poor girl will wonder what ever happened to her dad if they don't come here looking for everyone."
 "And what do you mean, you chose me?"

      ” We are safe here.” Blue Steel assured Maran,” You won’t need that weapon, and it looks rather heavy.

      I chose you as my friend, to travel with and to protect you,” Blue Steel stepped nimbly through the cluttered lab toward the Other Steeds,” It’s what we do, we are friends, companions, someone who will never leave you as long as we live.”

       “ We traveled her to Help the people of this world and to be a friend to those who needed us, there was ten of us then, Now only I survive, these are Bright Star, and Sun Runner, they are asleep within their cores until they are healed.”

Blue Steel tapped a hoof at the table where two crystal orbs sat in cradles a fierce inner blue light. He gently nuzzled the orbs as he looked over the orbs,” When they are whole they will find a friend of heir own to become a companion to, and they will help to resist HER.”

 She nodded and layed the gun down then moved over to look at the globes. When he introduced them, she smiled softly and greeted them, in case they had some means of hearing or sensing her in their cradals.
 "Hello Bright Star and Sun Runner. I hope we can fix you and you can find someone to be friends with soon."
 "Where did you all come from? There were 10, and now there's only 3? That's sad! And who is this her you mentioned?"

         " Hello Maran, One of the orbs spoke a young very soft female voice came from the air and echoed in Maran’s head.” I’m Bright Star, you look tired and hungry, you should try and eat and sleep we will watch over you.”

     " a child, in this place, how sad." Sun Runners voice echoed strong stern and powerful, his voice carrying the hint of searing heat from a powerful noon sun.

       SHE has no name, she has no face, She is as ancient as this world and was before we were.” Blue Steel spoke slowly as if not wanting to reveal what he knew.” she is a Matriarch of the Skandling, she is the mother of their race and the source of their power, we pursued her hear, hoping to aid these people in at last destroying her.

 "Oh wow! I didn't know they could really hear me! That is so great!"
 She looked at Blue Steel with a happy smile, but that soon faded as they spoke of the matriarch female creature. She really must be dangerous or something.

 "Why is she so bad? Is she evil, or insane or something?"

 "She is evil, her people rob, burn, enslave and butcher any who are weaker than they are," Blue Steel spoke after a moment.

 "I don't think the girl needs to hear this," Sun Runner spoke up quickly. "There is no good in scaring her."

 "She's no silly girl Sun Runner. She is old enough to know the truth."

 Bright Star spoke up her voice cool and calming moonlight on an open prairie and starlight on a quiet evening. "You don't have to worry Dear they are all nearly gone now, the fire that forced our freinds to flee killed her soldiers and destroyed her ship."

 "If you have not seen a Skandling before there is hope they have perished, and as soon as we leave here you will never see one again." Blue steel Spoke with hope in his voice. " Then we can explore the world beyond this place in peace."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Wed 09 Apr 2008.

"There's some kind of creature out there hunting people though Blue. I saw it attack one of the men, though I didn't get to see it very well, because I was hiding. Everyone's dead I think, except me Blue. How am I going to survive? I know I can hide in here maybe for awhile, but if that thing can get in here I won't live long. And when I run out of food, I might as well just walk on out there and let it take me, or shoot myself."
 She thought about things for awhile then looked at the blue horse and the globes in their cradles.
 "Did anyone ever try to negoiate with those things? What did you say they looked like? Are they animal, insectoid or reptilians? Or something totally weird and undescribable? If we knew what they were, we might be able to figure out what motivated them."
 She sounded a lot older than her obvious years, but that came from living among scientists and adults and not being around kids her own age. She'd rather enjoyed being included in the adult discussions, they were ever so much more interesting than what the kids had to talk about!

      Blue moved to Maran’s side nuzzling her softly as he listened to her words, resting his head against her shoulder and sheltering her with her his heavy bulk ” We will keep you safe Maran,  we do not know how just yet ,but we will see to it you are safe and that you do not come to harm.”

         ” there were many attempts to reason with them Dear Child,” Sun Runner spoke with a sigh, They are viscous things, part insect part reptile to in appearance. And they do not often negotiate or communicate, only when the world they approach can repel their attacks do they offer any terms.

     ” You are no mere child, Blue has always found he most unique freinds.” Bright Star spoke with a slight tinge of pleasure and surprise.” If we can find the ship you group came here in we can use t to escape.

 She blushed with the praise from Bright Star but sighed at the thought of something so alien they couldn't ever reason with them. She wondered if those creatures had any form of telepathy. Either they didn't, or they had no empathy, or they hadn't met anyone yet with psychic abilities.
 "Yes, we have a small ship, with a large cargo hold made especially for fragile cargoes. It's out on the landing field last I saw it."

   "If you wish to rest we will guard you," Bluesteel motioned to a cot in the corner of the lab,"I am not sure that any food is available, however if you need to eat I can fetch something from your base and return."

    "The girl needs rest,"Sun Runner spoke as he hovered toward a collection of spare parts and one of the dissaembled Steed chasis,""Perhaps once she has rested properly, she has the skill to prepare our cores for extended travel."

"I am pretty tired! Is there a bathroom? I'd like to wash up first, then nap. Once I've rested, I'll feel better able to try to figure these things out. I hope you can help me with drawings or plans or something."
 She looked around quietly looking for a place to rest, and the bathroo or restroom area so she could clean up. She was kind of sweaty now that she'd traveled all day.

   A small shower and restroom half hidden by stacks of crates and spare tools allows Maran to freshen up and scrub the dark gritty dust ou5t of her clothes and hair. A cot and a few blankets tucked into the corner next to a stack of soft print romance novels seems to indicate some one slept in the lab on a regular basis. he cot is not as comfortable as the beds in the dooms but it is there and seems to call Marans name.

 She went in, looked around then tried the cot. It wasn't that comfy, but she was so tired by now, she didn't care. She went to wash up, then layed down on the cot, and covered up. She was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow!

  The night passes with dreams of a sunny glade and deep forrests, the presence of a strong warm, powerful presence nearby fills the dreams, a storm rolls in with cool breezes and a scent of fresh mown grass and warm sunlight. nestled between the three strong presences Maran sleeps without any hint of care or worry. Two softly glowing orbs circle her bed as the powerful stallion stands guard hie ears and eyes twitching with every sound as his new freind sleep.

 She woke and stretched like a cat, then rolled over and drowsed a bit more. Then she finally stretched and yawned a last time and fought herself out of the slumber she was basking in. She knew she had to face reality now, so she sat up and blinked sleepily before smiling at them and saying good morning.
 "Hi! Wow, I slept like a log!  I didn't want to wake up! Thanks for watching over me! What's for breakfast?"

  " Whatever you want," Blue steel  dropped one ear and glanced to his two compatriaots" As long as it is food packs and water, which sadly we are not...able to handle.
   The big stallion walked over to a supply locker and bumped the lockers door with  hoof" No thumbs you know." He chuckled.

 "Ok. I hope it's not too old...or tastes nasty! I guess I should be happy if it's edible at all huh?"
 She dug through the packs in the cabinet, trying to see what they were, if she could read them, or if there were pictures on the packets, and instructions on how to prepare them.

  The packets are fairly new, a year or two old, and simple open and eat bars of flavored protien and soy. Nothing too nasty just a few packets of instant cofee and cocoa for energy and a quick pick me up. she also spots a can of fresh coffee tucked behind a ration pack and a coffee maker on the counter along with cans of peanut brittel and roasted nuts stashed by the workers.

   " Hmmm do humans always feed their people the same food they feed their pets. Bright Star nudged Maran's shoulder teasing slightly," we leave for a few thousand years and they expect girls to grow up fine and strong one that?

 She laughed then picked a couple of packets that seemed to be something edible that might not taste nasty. One looked like Chicken a'la King with Rice, the other looked like Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy. She looked around to see if there was a microwave, since they'd taste worse without heating them up!
 "Well, it usually isn't too awfully bad, unless they are military rations!"

  Sunnrunner hovered over and floated above the packets she had laid out his glow shifted slighly and the packets began to sizzle and puff up slightly as he focussed a soft glow on the pouches.

   " I think they are ready," He commented as he floated back to his position by the door," Be careful they may be hot.

 "Wow, that's a neat trick! Bet that comes in handy sometimes! Too bad there's no bread, but this is great! Now I hope it tastes good! Thank you Sunrunner!"
 She tore the packages open carefully and tasted them, then looked around for something to use as silverware.
 "Hmmmmm. Not too bad at all!"

   " Here you are," Blue Steel dropped a packet of foil wrapped plastic utensils with a ptooh as they stuck to his lower lip. The big stallion sniffed experimentally at the food then shook his big head sending his mane into a flurry of liquid light as he turned up his nose. Sun runner tapped against the door release and dissappeared out the door as Blue steel settled in by Marans side giving her a soft silky cushion to rest against.

 She grabbed the plastic silverware with a squeal of happiness, gave Blue a big hug, then plopped down beside him to scarf the food! She started with the salisbury steak and mashed potatoes, saving the chicken a'la king for last, because it would stay hot longer. It was all good though. She leaned back and ate happily, scraping every last morsel out of the trays, knowing she might not get a chance to eat again soon, if she got busy doing stuff, or had to run away from one of those things out there that was killing people.
 "Eeeeeee! Thanks Blue! I wasn't wanting to eat with my fingers! Yum, this is pretty good after all!"

 "Nice to see you have a healthy appitite. Blue Steel teased as he stood up and walked to a collection of parts, strips of web, gear from tool belts and a collection of electronics and batteries.

 "Sun and Star need rechargers for their cores, without a...body they can only store small amounts of power, and moving around or using their periphrial systems burns it up fast. He nudged a small generator for a laser cutting tool and then a compact superconducting capacitor storage system."Do you think you could assemble a portable recharge harness for my saddle or your back pack?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Tue 01 July 2008.

 She discarded the trays, but kept the disposable silverware in case she needed it again later, then went over to see what he had.
 "You'll have to show me the plans or tell me how to do it if you don't have the plans or instructions. But I should be able to if it's all in working condition. I could try to fix their bodies if you think I can."
 She poked around the things on the bench, trying to see how it all fit together. There was some solar panels and many other small things there she thought she recognized, as well as a few she didn't.

  " Of course dear, you can't work without a proper plan...so very messy." Star hovered near to Marans shoulder projecting a holographic display of a plan and an overlay of the work bench high lighting the parts and demonstrating how to connect them.

   " Our old chassis need much more repair than this shop is capable of. Sun Runner hovered near the front door looking outward.

   " Star was at one time the most sought after tutor on three worlds." Blue Chuckled as he pushed a rolling tool box into place." I think she was hoping you would ask for instruction.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Tue 01 July 2008.

 "Well, I'll need it, fer sure. I know how to take things apart and put them back together, but I've never assembled these things before. You'll have to help me with this. I wouldn't want to get it wrong and hurt one of you guys! Or erase you somehow!"
 She sorted out things on the table, then looked over the tools in the tool box, almost like a surgeon might look at his instruments.

   " I'm sure you won't damage them." Blue Assured as he moved to stand close by Maran nuzzling her neck as he did. I would suggest you avoid anything that sparks or smokes though.

    " Don't worry I'll walk you through it. Star radiate soothing warmth as she began to slowly lead Maran through the process.

 She carefully worked her way through the steps as the entity lead her through it, double checking each step of the way to make sure every little thing was right, still worried she'd harm them if she didn't do it perfectly. She might be a gifted child, but she was still a child, and didn't have the self confidence years would give her. She just did the best she could.
 One step was rough because the piece didn't want to fit together no matter how she tried to make it go. Finally she laid them down and looked at Sun.
 "Are you sure that piece goes in there? It doesn't seem to want to go. Maybe it's just being stubborn. Maybe I should take a break, stretch, go to the bathroom...then try again. Maybe my frustration is getting in the way."

 "A nice warm cup of tea and a soy wafer might be just what you need." Blue slid a tin cup over to Maran. Sun hovered over then descended to the table radiating a sensation of a warm sunny day on a creek near the old home of her grandma.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:08, Sat 12 July 2008.

 "Oh, that sounds nice! Thank you!" She made some tea and heated it in the microwave. She waited for the tea to steep, then added a packet of sugar, stirring it in then smelled of it.
 She sipped it slowly as she leaned into the warmth that Sun was giving off, feeling herself relax in a drowsey way.

    " A bit of tea and a nice quite lunch always helps Star sighed happily." I think all humans enjoy a warm sunny day and a quiet cup of something warm."

   " Let me see what I can do about this dim musty room, a young woman needs a bit of atmosphere to relax properly Sun flickered and sent out a ripple of holographic light creating an image of a sun dappled glade tyhat shifted and shimmerd slightly barely concealing the interior of the dome.

 "Oh, don't use up too much energy on me! I'll be fine. I don't want you to get weakened! Save your energy!"
 She looked at Sun with a very worried look, unsure how much energy the poor creature could spare!

  " Don't fret lass a simple image is no drain at all."</blue> I still have a few megawatts of reserve powr enough for a week or so if I am stingy."</blue> Sun used a smidge of power to bathe Maran in a wave of warm invigorating energy a small puff of vapor and a grease stain on her face was gone.<brown>" Now thats better, grease is not your color."

 "Do you have solar powered panels? Or is it a fuel cell? Does it need repaired? Maybe I can make it work better. That's not something you could climb up on a roof and do is it? I'd be happy to look at the system and see if it's working, see if it's covered by leaves or something."
 She laughed as Sun got the grease off her face like a mother would, fussing affectionately. She could grow fond of these creatures. Then at the thought of a mother, she thought about hers, and her father...and all the others here that were now dead. Her breath caught in her throat, a lump developed there, and tears pooled in her eyes. She was all alone here now, except for these horses, and that creature out there.

  Blue nuzzled Maran's neck and Star hovered close as if to let her feel the soft warm glow of her nearby. " Your not alone forever Maran, soon others will come this place will be a city once more and you will see it grow."

   " A little work to do firest" Sun spoke quietly,warmly" Some growing, running falling getting your clothes dirty. You Are still a girl so try to enjoy it, we'll fix the bumps and bruises and make sure you remember to eat your vegatables."

 She laughed and went back to work trying to fix the units so she could get the horses back together, and their energy sources working again. She followed their instructions and worked until she started to get tired again. She stopped to eat some more food, then took a nap for awhile.
"I'm sleepy. I'm going to take a short nap, ok?"

  As she sleep Maran begans to dream of a city of crystal and steel towers reaching into the clouds. The city is filled with thousands, and many steel steeds pass through the crouds accompanying their charges and freinds. The city seems to buzz with energy as the people tend to their daily affairs.

        " Beautiful isn't it," A tall elgant woman asked as she stood by Maran's side," So much to see and so much to do, don't you think Maran?

"Huh? Who are you? Am I dreaming or is this real? It feels like a dream..."
 She looked around at the hazy surroundings, trying to see what was there, there was so much to see she couldn't keep focused on one thing any length of time.

  A freind,please don't be alarmed. I sensed you were afraid and wanted to make sure you were well. The woman walked a few paces from the center to the ancient dome that seemed to be familiar but not towards the dome where the steeds had been stored.So much has changed I hardly recognize this city, I'm wuite sure it has changed a bit since my last visit."

"Uh huh." She wasn't sure where this dream was going, but it was interesting to say the least.
 "What city is this anyway? Mostly all that's left now are ruins. And those steel horses."

 " Oh, Steel Steeds, I would have thought they would not survive long without their companions." The woman sighed sypatheticly," Poor sad steeds, how do they fare, such a long sleep would not do them well I fear."The woman smiled and brushed a stray hair from Marans face. She studied Marans face her eyes intense and focused on Maran for several seconds." They will need someone to repair them and see that their systems are fully repaired, do you have such people to aid them?"

 "There's only me. But there's still 3 left. One has a body, two don't so I'm trying to fix them so they can get back into their bodies. I'm trying the best I can. I'm only a kid though."
 She started worrying she wasn't doing a good enough job, and that maybe she shouldn't have taken time for a nap. What if one died while she was sleeping?!

   " You are in the old city," The woman commented,"Very dangerous, there right now. Perhaps I should send some help,I am nearby I felt your mind while you were dreaming so I thought perhaps I should offer my freindship. I have soldiers who can protect you, tell me where you are and my warriors will soon be there with someone to help your freinds."

 "But there's no people here, no warriors, nothing but some evil monster killing people. The horses can help me. You're nothing but a dream anyways. "
 She became restless, worrying about trusting anyone speaking to her in a dream. What if it was that monster trying to find a way to get at her?

  " Oh dear child, dreams are but a way to speak to those who are beyond the reach of my voice." The woman smiled and steped to within a pace of Maran,"I know you are worried but you must accept my aid, it is your only chance at surviving. Your freinds are weak and need help, would you risk your freinds safety because you are afraid?"

 "What would I have to do? I am alone here, except for one horse thing, and the two disembodied horse things. I'm trying to get them working again, but it's a lot of work with something I'm not familiar with. I'm only a kid."
 She watched the dream lady step closer, still amazed that this dream was so real.

    I understand child," The woman smiled and stepped closer.So much for a child to do, simply take me to the building where you are and my warriors will come and protect you."

 She nodded, then took the lady by the hand and started "walking", trying to take her back to where Blue Steel and the other Steel Steeds were. She tried to find her way, but it looked very different in this dream than the ruins did. She concentrated on the feel of Blue Steel in her mind though, and tried to go to him.
 "I'll try."

[Private to Prometheus: 22:55, Today: Maran rolled 23 using 1d20+5. will save. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Sun 21 Sept 2008.

   Jerking her hand away quickly the woman shuddered and shimmered her kind face almost melting away as she steped back from Maran. Maran felt a powerful mind invade hers, an icy cold knife cutting into the mental defenses, then shatering as her mind defended itself. The womans form seemed to fold in on iself, and she felt herself pulled through space and time till she found herself in a spherical cavern deep under the city, several beasts tore at the bodies of dead Q'sa soldiers and before her stood an alien thing of fearful power and a dark malignant sense of hatred and madness.

    Foolish little thing," SHE hissed, her rage boiling up like a black ice cold fire." Take me to those beasts, You will be allowed to serve me and live."

 "No! I'll never help you! You killed all my friends didn't you? I'll never help you destroy the others! I'll die first! You're just a horrible monster! Let me out of here!"
 She ran, trying to find a way out of the cavern, looking for something to use as a weapon against the mad creature!

  “You think you can fight me child" SHE laughed , grabbing up a weapon from one of the bodies of her soldiers, and tossed the weapon across the floor the rifle sliding to stop at Maran's feet."I have conquered world, slain millions, sent legions to die and one pitiful wretched urchin thinks to defy a GODDESS!!!!! How cute, how, wonderfully, childishly naive." The creature laughed her voice twisted by insanity as she motioned toward the weapon.

   "Please child show me your prowess, strike down a Goddess and take her power. I will take you as mine, you will serve me, you will worship me as Your Goddess and know the joy that service to me brings..."

 "Wait! This is just a dream! You're not even real! You're just a dream! You have no power over me or you'd have already forced me to take you, and you haven't! All I have to do is wake up!"
 She set about trying to make herself wake up.

 " Now she is a crafty little thing A male voice rumbled across the dreamscape.</blue> I dont think this child is ready to bow to you."</blue>

    A figure moved in the shadows, stepping into the light an armored centaur chuckled warmlyas he stepped to stand beside Maran," Frightened and alone she still stands on her own and you can't force your will on her, Too bad."

   " I am Prometheus child, first born of the Steeds, and.... GrandFather of Blue Steel," The Centaur wore armor and carried weapons unlike any Maran had seen, his face hidden by a breathing mask and visor that were lit from within with a brilliant cobalt blue light." Your host is Tkath N'tach, the Last of her line, a mad and powerless crone who has lived well beyond her time."

   SHE hissed and chittered angrily opening her mouth to hurl a curse at Prometheus,the Steel centaur flung up his hand air shimmered and compressed into a solid force and hurtled toward the enraged queen, throwing her backwards."Now one thing our host has forgotten that when you invite someone into your dreams, you lower your defenses and someone with a little training and talent can injure even the most talented Psion simply by reshaping the reality she has created here."

   "Now I'm going to help you out this time but first why don't you take a little practice so our host ill not try such simple tricks again, just Focus and imagine what you wish reality to be."

 She looked at Prometheus then nodded, and concentrated on the last time she and her parents had spent Christmas together, with the rest of their exploration team. There's had been a silver Christmas tree, and presents and food and drink and songs and sparkly lights all around. There was a warm fire burning brightly in the fau fireplace, and the scent of pine logs, and the sounds of popping and cracking of a fire. It had seemed a magical time. She concentrated hard upon this memory and smiled to herself.

   The dreamscape shimmered the empty blaack space remained but the christmas scene filled the center of the void, music, the smell of pine, the rich aroma of cocoa and a wood fire filled the air. SHE stood helpless on the permiter as she watched in disgust as Prometheus held her at bay. A younger Maran ran acoss the floor grinning as she jumped into her mothers Lap.

   " A wonderful memory," Prometheus chuckled warmly," In this place you do not have to setle for how things are, in this lace you are allowed to see and remember without limits, perhaps our new freind will aid you in sharpening your skills....I don;t think he would mind would you Leoulin?"

   Prometheus glanced toward the shadows which resolved into a large overstuffed easy chair where Leoulin sat with a glass of hot spiced cider suddenly in his hands, dressed in the loose fitting silk casual robes of tau design.

 "Who is he? Where did he come from? And who was that evil lady? Tkath N'tach? What was she before she went mad?"
 She stepped back a bit as the man in the chair appeared, wondering who he was and how he'd gotten into her dream too.

  He iis a young man who will soon arrive here, he and the ones he travels with are soldiers in servic to the People who control the colonies in...Your region of space, I do not know the name it ears now." Prometheus turned his attention to the sadow of SHE." that one was a queen of a race long hoped to be extinct, when this world died she was trapped alone, the death of her servants and her sisters left her isolated for the first time in her life....The stress was too much, do not pity her child she has long earned her fate with cruelty and bloodshed."

    Maran is jarred awake by the sound of tools falling from a workbench, BlueSteel looks over sheepishly as he drops a partially destroyed labor android onto the table spiting as he tries to get the leaking coolant and lubricants off his lips. having dragged the robot in his teeth across the floor a trail of mud, lubricant and scattered parts leads back out the door." Oposable thumbs, never take them for granted.

    Now you've woken the child up." SunRunner sighed as he hovered over the work table using his intenal emitters to cut and weld componants onto one of the partially reconstructed steel steeds.

        "Oh Sun it's not his fault," Bright Star treid to smooth the others ruffled feathers. Good morning dear are you hungry?"

 She sat up and looked around groggily, still immersed in the dream. She rubbed at her eyes, then put back the blanket and got up from the cot to go see what the others were up to.
 "Whatcha doing? Isn't that stuff nasty tasting?"

  " Spare parts," Blue Steel replied making odd faces as he tried to get the oily residue from his lips." And yes it tasts very nasty. Blue steel chuckled a little as bright Star giggled and hovered over to Maran lifting a small mug of something warm and chocolaty with a beam of flickering light.

" I hope you got some rest, you were talking in your sleep all night Bright Star settled down on the table next to Marans cot and nudged the cup to Maran.

  On the table and around it, Maran can see that Blue Steel has collected scraped and damaged robot's several disabled robo pets, and an android upper torso that seemed to have been cast off many years ago. The parts are dusty, and worn but the dry air had prevented the vital componants fro becoming totaly unusable.

    Hmmmm now who would throw away such a pretty face. Bright star hovered over the upper torso of the young looking android" It would look positively darling if we cleaned her up a little." a flicker of light danced across the exposed components andthen a sligh whir and bleat as Bright star examined the core still embedded in the androids chassis." Oh my, these are very intersting circuits, I'd swear they were from a steed

 "I had wierd dreams all night, about some crazy lady. It wasn't much fun! What you got? Is that an android? Can it be fixed? And if it don't taste good, don't carry it in your mouth! Roll it onto a blanket and drag it."
 She watched them at the table for a few seconds, then started poking and prodding at the android. When the chocolate appeared, she grabbed it with great pleasure and took a sip, ending with a chocolatey mustash.
 "Thanks Blue! You're the best!"

   Sun Runner beamed brightly, his golden glow fluctuating in rhythm to his calm, baritone voice.  He had come to a similar conclusion as Bright Star, and so, intrigued by this new mystery, he let his earlier frustration with his companions pass.  "I agree Bright Star, that it is a most interesting coincidence these parts are so compatible with our complex Steed tech."
   At the mention of Maran's 'weird' dreams, he leaves his project for a moment, concerned by her words.  He floats slowly closer to Maran, bathing her in a soft amber radiance, peaceful and warm as he approaches.  "I would like to know more of your dreams, child, if you will tell them," he says gently.  "They seem to trouble you, and you do need your rest."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Mon 06 Apr 2009.

 "I don't know what it was. Some weird lady tried to grab me, make me her slave or something. Then some guy tried to rescue me somehow. I don't remember too much of it now. It's all blurry. But she was pretty at first, then she was evil and ugly! It scared me."
 She wiggled around a bit then headed off to the facilities. She had slept pretty soundly. Now was time to wash up and wake up again.

  It was a terrible day for you." star floated closer trying to comfor Maran. a low soothing humm came from the disembodied Steed. as maran wiggled she moved away rotating back toward he other Steeds. " I forget humans need to bathe...and comb their hair."

 She came back out and started digging around in the parts, trying to see what fit together. The parts were pretty interchangable, but she wondered if there were enough to fix all the steeds horse bodies.
 "I don't think there's enough spare parts to make 3 horses Blue. Are there any other bodies they might fit into? We might be able to fix smaller bodies like a dog or a cat." She went to dig through the cabinets around the room to see if there were any other bodies or parts they could use. She even crawled under the shelves to see if anything fell off the backs of them and rolled under them.

 " Well here is..The dog." Blue whickered slightly and tugged a robotic dog from one of the piles of parts." It's nearly intact, the core was damaged too badly to restore but one of ours should fit in nicely." Pawing at the ground, he saw the collection of robotic pets, half assembled steeds and the remains of the Android." Only the android can hold a steed core, and she is missing her lower half.

    are these... made by your people, I'd swear they were built for Steeds, I think they will work perfectly with Star Or Sun.

 She went over to check out the pile of bodies and parts, taking care to handle the dogs body carefully. It was a really neat looking dog.

 "I don't know who made them. I've never seen your kind before. But I like what I see. You guys are neato! That dog looks like it could be fixed! Lets see! And the girl... I don't know if we can fix it or not. Is there any other body parts we can use?"
 She picked up a nearly intact cat's body too, though it was pretty big for a cat... a normal cat anyway.

   " I think I'll take the cat. Star spokeup quickly, " Playing fetch and chasing cars was never my thing." Star nudged Sun with her core as if teasing the older Steed.

 "Wow, look! It's got 6 legs, but the two on front look like furry hands. There's thumbs and fingers! 5 fingers and a thumb! I've never seen anything like that before! And the tail looks almost prehensile, though it's fur covered too. Do you think you could use this? You'd be the only one with hands!" She took it to the table to examine it. She brushed off the dust and debris then opened it up to look inside. It seemed in good shape and looked big enough...barely, to accept the orb of Bright Star's memory core.

 The robotic bodies Maran had found were in good shape the dry air and sheltered locations they were found in kept them from rusting away to scrap or being sandblasted by blowing dust and debris that filled every corner of the ruins.

 With her tool kit, guidence from Blue Steel and the others she set to work modifying the chassis to fit the AI cores of the steeds. Cleaning dust and years of accumulated grim from the fittings of the machines left her dirty with a smudge of grey and black soot on her face that rubbing only seemd to make worse. Hours of work were needed leaving her tired, thirsty and hungry. Star hovered close by keeping watch on Maran as she worked levitating a glass of cool water to her as she worked.

 "You'll make a fine tech if you always work like this." Star spoke softly. "But you should rest now. We can survive a few more decades if we have too."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:33, Wed 17 Feb 2010.

 She rubbed the dirt on her face, just grinding it in more instead of removing it. She was gonna have to wash up before she rested that was for sure! She took a drink from the glass of water, appreciating the cool wetness more than she thought she would. She must have been working longer than she thought!
 "That tastes great! I just wanted to get it done, so you could have a body again is all! But I think it's ready now, if you want to give it a try. Then I'll have to wash up before dinnertime. I'm all grubby. I'll have to change clothes too and wash what I been wearing if I don't want stains to set."
 She jumped up off the stool and headed toward the restroom to take care of those things as well as nature calling. She grabbed her pack as she went so she could put on clean clothes once she'd washed up.
 "I'll be right back. Wait for me, in case you need help settling in, ok?"

   Hovering near to Bright Star, Sun Runner watched Maran rush off, his golden glow dimmed by the shadow of concern he had for her.  He scanned the bodies and noticed that Maran had done an excellent job of repairing them.  They seemed serviceable enough, at least until something more suitable could be found.  It was curious how compatible they seemed to be with Steed tech.  Could they have been left by the Inhabitants of this world?  Somehow Sun Runner was not so sure.  While they had been a fairly advanced people, it had never been demonstrated that they had anything close to the complex systems that made up the Steeds.  So where had these bodies come from?  Could they have been left by the Inhabitants' enemies?
   "She is a most talented example of her species, Bright Star.  Impulsive, as the young tend to be, but also intelligent and resourceful.  I am grateful for her company, and her assistance; for without her we would still likely be offline and alone.  If indeed we ARE alone on this world.  I am unable to detect any other signs of life in our immediate vicinity, but it is certainly possible..."  He was quiet for sometime, as if processing his thoughts.  Finally he spoke again, breaking the silence abruptly.
   "Maran's bio-rhythms indicate that she is still troubled by her earlier dreams.  I am unsure exactly how to interpret her vague explanation of her experience, and so I am unsure how best to council her.  And this troubles me."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:43, Wed 17 Feb 2010.

 "Girls will be girls." Blue steel chuckled as he watched Maran scampered about trying to get her sorted out. "I'm sure she will be fine."

 As Maran slipped into the bathroom Blue spoke quietly.
 "It might be sometime before she comes to terms with what has happened, but I'm sure she'll be able to deal with it. I'll try to coax some details out of her. While she was sleeping I...felt something in my node, a noise I haven't heard in a very long time."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Thu 18 Feb 2010.

 She came dancing out a short time later, ear-buds in her ears, and an MP player stuck in her ears. She hummed and sang along with a song as she put her things on her bedroll then grabbed some food from their stash. When she was done, she went back over to the chassis and made sure it was ready for Sun Runner to occupy.
 "Are you ready to give it a try? Try it on for size as it were? I sure hope it "fits" well!"
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 00:57, Mon 22 Feb 2010.

   Sun Runner responded by floating his glowing golden orb over to Maran, until he was hovering above his intended body.  He actually thought it was a little humiliating to inhabit a form inferior to his original one, but he did realize that they were severely limited at the moment, and Maran had worked very hard on his 'chassis' for him.  Perhaps it wouldn't be so terrible.  It certainly would be an improvement from his currently non-corporeal existence.
   "Very well, Maran dear.  I am prepared to inhabit this...corpus...whenever you are ready.  I am confident it will be adequate, you have done a respectable job of fixing it, child.  I am impressed."

 The canine body flickers to life as Sun runner interfaces with it. Sensory sub processors come to life, motive control units cause the body to twitch as circuits are tested and various odd memory caches begin to interface with the core of the Steed. Smaller, lighter and more agile than a steed body, to Sun Runners surprise it is no less advanced. The body lack offensive systems except for a sharp set of teeth.
 A true surprise unveils itself as he interfaces with the memory cores. The device was manufactured only twenty years before but has Promethean AI fragments and it’s systems seem to be almost identical to the technology that went into his steed body. In fact if he were not aware it was an alien design he would have assumed it was Steed technology.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:15, Mon 22 Feb 2010.

   Full synchronization of systems in progress.  Initiating complete diagnostic including all primary programming and sub-routines: sensors operational; autonomic reflexes exceeding normal parameters; vocalization, enabled; visual confirmation of sensory data, affirmative; error, unable to locate offensive interface, systems currently disabled; downloading archived memory core...
   Sun Runner was truly impressed by his new chassis.  No, more than impressed, he was amazed!  This alien device was somehow infused with Promethean A.I. fragments within its cortex.  How was that possible?  The ease with which his systems interfaced with his technology was so similar to his own Steedtech, that any deviation was too minimal to be of any significance.  The makers of this unit must have shared technology with the creators of his own race, no other logical conclusion could explain the similarity unless...somehow his creators had also fashioned these bodies.  Clearly more data was required.
  "RZzzt yeowaaaahhh," initiating vocal synchronization, downloading linguistic database.  Complete"Y...yes Maran, it is an almost perfect match with my original steed technology. I am grateful for your assistance.  This unit will do very nicely indeed.  I would very much like to know who designed this device in fact."

   " Cy-Sys, model number 225-K9 Bright Star hovered near the now active hound,"It's tattoed in your ear, hard to see from your angle." She laughed muically,

 you seem to be able to move better than you did, maybe Maran has invented a cure for old and grumpy.

 "How does it feel? I know being a big dog is gonna be different than being a horse, but it's all we could find. Maybe someday we can build you a horse body. Are you sure it's gonna work out ok for you?"
 She double-checked with the diagnostic machine but it said all systems go except for some defensive systems except for teeth.

 He looked over their shoulders as Maran helped Sun Runner settle in. He nodded as he saw the body and Sun Runner meshing well. That was surprising to him as well as the others.
 "You're looking good Sun Runner! How does it feel?"

 He got down clumbsily and tottered around a bit, working the joints until he got the hang of it, though it did take some practice as the joints moved a bit differently then his steed's body. Still, it was in no time he was moving quite well.
"I think this unit will do nicely."

 "Oh! You look so pretty! Everyone will want to hug you and pet you! If you ever want to sneak around though, you'll have to change colors or roll in the dirt. I assume you are waterproof though, right? I'd hate for you to get caught in a rain if not! I couldn't give you a bath either if you got dirty if you're not waterproof. You'd have to go about looking scruffy then."
 "Are you sure you're satisfied with that body? I know you're used to being a horse type."
 Suiting her words with action, she got on her knees and hugged him and petted him to see how his hair felt now he was inside the body.

  Ohhh yes Sun yo are just soooo darling.Star giggled and snorted as she spoke every one will want to pet yo and hugg you, and little kids will want to pul on your ears... Star couldn't help teasing un about his new too cute form. enjoying a chance to ruffle the older Steeds feathers...or fur a it were.

   If it were possible for a dog to frown, Sun Runner would have done it just then.  The idea of human children clambering all over him willy-nilly and tugging on his extremities was not overly amusing to him.  He did realize however, how very much he had missed children.
  "A Steel Steed is a councilor and valiant guardian, not some common house pet!  Uncontrolled children climbing all over this chassis would undoubtedly damage its delicate and complex circuitry, so we shall refrain from allowing any such situations, thank you.  Children should behave better, indeed it was part of our original programming to teach them proper manners after all."
   His wolfish head turned towards Maran, optical sensors shining as he focused in on her.  "As far as pretty, I do say that it is well designed unit, indeed, and I believe it is sealed against damage from many adverse sources, including weather and such and so it shall serve our purposes for the time being.  Now while it is true, Maran, that I am more used to an equine form, this canine one does have its advantages, not the least of which is that it makes for an excellent disguise, should such become necessary.  I am well satisfied and, might I add, grateful for your hard work.  Let us finish here so that we may find safer accomadations and search for any signs of other life forms on this world...wait a moment, what is my tongue doing?  Why am I making such an odd noise?"  Sunrunner was confused seeing his tongue lolling out and hearing himself panting.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Mon 08 Mar 2010.

 She laughed and gave him an affectionate hug. Her fingers dug deeply into his thick hair that felt so much like real dog hair it was amazing. She laughed at his confusion at panting and acting like a dog. It surely must be deeply rooted programming in the body systems to make it act so doglike! She scritched and scratched at his back and sides to make sure all tangles and debris was gone from his hide.
 "You are acting just like a dog does Sunrunner."

   Sun Runner was indeed confused.  There must be some, as yet undetected, sub-routines that simulated canine behaviour whether to delight or deceive was not yet apparent.  That could be very useful if Sun Runner could just access it and find some way to control it better.
   "What?  Well I am not, exactly, it is more precise to say that this unit has some sort of canine mimicry program that...wait, what are you doing?  OOoooooooooh that feels sooooo good!  Hold on, what is going on with my lower extremities? I am losing functionality in my leg, this is most unexpected...darned quirky programming!"

 She giggled as the "dog" started a scratching motion with his back leg. She was truely amazed at how doglike the body was! Not that it looked like a "body" because it looked like a dog, a true dog. She giggled again as she looked around for a ball or something... She picked up a wadded ball of paper the right size and threw it across the room with a wicked grin.
 "FETCH boy!"

   Sun Runner gave Maran a 'look' as she giggled. "There is nothing funny about an uncontrolled program, child.  This could lead to a serious system error."   Sun Runner knew he was going to have to execute a complete diagnostic to isolate the problem, which could take some time.  It was an unforeseen annoyance to say the least.
  "Maran, what are you doing with that?  Don't you throw that now, I insist that you cease this unseemly behaviour.  We have far more important matters to attend to at the moment.  I'm certainly not going to go running after a crumpled up paper spheroid....WOOF WOOF Woof Woof woof woofwoof..." he barked, a look of pure delight on his face as he raced off in pursuit of the paper ball.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:47, Mon 08 Mar 2010.

 She laughed but in an affectionate way as the grumbly "dog" ran after the paper ball much to his dismay. The look of joy on his face warring with his indignation was just a sight to behold! She'd always wanted a dog, but had never been anywhere long enough to have one. SunRunner would be the next best thing. Okay, the third best thing, because more than a dog, she'd always wanted a horse! She truely must have died and gone to heaven to have both!
 Except her parents... Indeed, everyone else was dead as far as she knew. These Artificial Intelligent "people" were the best she could have now. And while they were nice, she still wished she had her parents here too. She blinked tears back and tried to act happy, because she already knew these beings would worry over her and she didn't want to worry them. Even if they were mechanical people, they had a built in imperative to care for humans, especially children.
 "Oh, enjoy yourself Sun Runner. And don't completely over-ride the controls for the dog part. Your life might depend upon acting exactly like a dog would sometime. If you completely over-ride it, you might act strangely or wrong sometime so it would draw attention to you. So you need to learn how to act like a dog before you take over the autonomus controls."

" So I should act exactly like a horse. Blue steel asked one ear cocking back slightly his equine face not very easy to read. Alright so be it. he reached out and playfully nipped Maran, then blue out a gust of breath fluttering his horsey lips.

 She made a playful slap at the BLUE horse with a laugh. Like a blue horse wouldn't be noticable anywhere, but maybe she could say she had him dyed blue.
 "Well, a blue horse would be hard to miss, but I could dye you I guess, or tell everyone I'd dyed you blue. Or maybe you're a mutated horse! hehehe."

   " I think we can find a can of paint." Star teased  "Something in pink, maybe a nice lavender. something pastel." Star tried to drift back slightly as she talked without looking like she was getting ready to run for it.
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 12:29, Mon 22 Mar 2010.

   Sun Runner loped back, still carrying the crumpled paper ball in his teeth.  Sitting down before Maran, he placed it on the ground by her feet, then wagged his bushy tail reflexively.
  "I have isolated the program, it is quite complex.  In fact it appears to have been designed for covert surveillance operations.  I speculate this unit was a former operative in a military corps.  I shall retain it, as you suggested Maran, it could prove very useful indeed.  Blue Steel, Bright Star, this chassis is extraordinary!  Comparatively speaking, both the visual and olfactory data retrieval sensor systems are superlative to those of our original Steed tech.  As incredible as it seems, someone has improved on our creators' designs, though how that is possible I cannot be certain without considerably more data."
   He was silent a moment, as he processed the incredible amount of data and compared it to his backup archive of Steel Steed specifications. "Dark matter power cells, very impressive.  I have discovered what appears to be manufacturer data in this systems' central cortex...scanning now..."

awwww he's so cute. Star snickered.fuzzy tail wagging like a good boy hey I bet i can make him roll over ...who's a good boy, who's a good boy sun runner thats who.... star flicked out a beam of light to tickle behind runners ear as she giggled.

   "How could anyone build a better steed if no one knows about us? Star hovered over to her waiting body and examined it. slender wires extending to probe the contacts to the bodies central systems." There aren't sentient Ai here are there Maran. I didn't see any remains of them in the machines we found while we were looking for parts.

 A mumbled replay came from the back, along with some bangs and thuds and a muffled something that might have been a curse word.
 "Mmm, don't know. Mmm just a kid, how would I know? Somebody brought you here. Where were you from if not here?"
 She came back with a stack of boxes of various sizes, one or two were pretty good sized. She plopped them down with a huff of air and stood there looking at the stuff in the top box, looking a bit frazzled. Inside were bits and pieces of parts.
 From the second box protruded something soft and furry that looked a bit like a tail of something.

Maran removes a soft furry body from the crate larger than a house cat almost as large as a lynx the body has six limb the fore limbs ending in small delicate hands. the long tail moves on it;s own curling around her arm as she tests it. the power supply intact. the core removed. but a small tag reads happy birthday. and the date is several years old. looking though the crate Maran finds an instruction manual for a personal companion A-pet. including the warranty information and where the pet was manufactured.

    A friend companion and playmate. Perfect for any girl or boy.

      The Cetu Treecat. with lifelike behavior. From your friends at Proto-tech.

_{Some assembly required see instructions for detail due to individual simulated evolution behaviors may vary.}

" I know your a young girl Maran. I was hoping you knew something about this time. we've been her a very long time and it may be different that we knew. we came here to help the people that lived here, protect children like you. although grumpy tail over their is a bit of a scrapper. we're not soldiers though.Star hovers over to Maran looking down at the large feline chassis" Now I'd never believe i could fit in that.



 she hovered down and tested out the fit of the compartment fort her core." Some one knows about us this core interface fits me like a glove, or a horseshoe..or something that fits on the end of your limbs nicely.

 She watched as the large treecat came to life, slowly testing it's limbs out. It seemed awkward at first then got more and more graceful.
 "It looks ok, does it feel alright?"

   " Fuzzy. Star replied as she settled in. and warm, and kind of wobbly." With that Star flopped over bonelessly to lay looking up with a slight yawn and roll of the tongue as she surveyed the room. flexing her forepaws she studied them her head cocking from one side to the other as she foldd her fingers one at a time then wiggled them.

   " Oh my, I have whiskers... they feel funny, and a tail, and really good eyes..and I have, I have fingers, I have thumbs, opposable thumbs." Star laughed as she waved up at Maran." With these opposable digits I shall rule the cosmos. fall down and worship.....nah just kidding."

 "Not to put a damper on your new-found enthusiasm Star, Blue steel gave star a horsey look of bemusement, almost whickering. "But there is only a few days of food here for Maran and I don't think packing material makes a very good snack for a girl. We need to get moving to a larger camp or city."

 Blue picked up a pencil in his teeth and punched a tab on a nearby computer terminal. "If I am reading this right there is a shuttle on the other side of the camp, we can use it to get her somewhere safe. Maybe we can interface it if she can't fly it."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:08, Wed 07 Apr 2010.

 "Do you think I can fly it? I've never flown anything but simulators in games before. Maybe if I go real slow and only get it a couple feet off the ground I could do it, but I don't wanna crash! You guys can get hurt same as me. And if we go, we should take as many spare parts with us, and tools as we can. I might need to make repairs if you guys get hurt."
 She started sorting through stuff on the table and in the boxes, laying aside the junk, and collecting good things they might need and placing them inside a sturdy storage box, ready to be moved to the shuttle.

   Sun Runner suddenly becomes very still, his ears perked as he listens.  He sniffs at the air intently, as if something disturbs him.  Once again he found himself astounded by the precision of his new olfactory and auditory sensor systems.  He found it surprisingly easy to focus solely on the unusual scents he was receiving, tuning out all the sounds around him as background static.  The data was confusing him, however, and his cerebral cortex worked furiously to ascertain the exact origin of the scent.  At times it seemed reptilian, then invertebrate; he could not be certain which phylum of biological organisms it resembled more.  Yet one minute trace odor brings every single circuit immediately online and activates his protection protocols immediately.  There was the faintest scent of something Skandling!
   His bright optical sensors engage his fellow 'steeds' with a look of deep concern.  They had to know what he was sensing.  He needed to know how immediate the threat, if any, might be.
  "Bright Star, Blue Steel.  Transmitting a tachyon data stream to each of you.  I need you to analyze this data immediately, and verbalize your conclusions. If there is any possible threat, we must know of it now!  Transmission complete." Although he did not mention the nature of the threat, he felt certain that the subtle modulation of his voice would convey his concern for Maran.  Teaching and protecting the child was their Prime Directive and all of the steeds would willingly forfeit their existence, rather than allow her to come to harm.

  "Well lucky for us we have someone with a big strong back to carry thing. Rubbed against Maran's leg as she spoke, purring softly " Ohhh that feels really good, i could get used to that."

   " I...hmm whiskers, slight vibration in the air, wow I can feel something moving around, under those shelves.

     _{Seems familiar, maybe...couldn't be they all, or they should have. I can see some traces of Scandling pheromomnes, couldn't actually smell them before, wow they stink}. Star added her thoughts in a voice too soft to be heard by humans.

  Instinctively Sun Runner leaps in front of Maran.  He stands there, protectively; ears back, fangs bared, ears flat against his head.  He focused his  newly adopted sensor array on the shelves that Bright Star indicated.
   "Blue Steel, Bright Star, we need to get Maran out of this place, Now!" he growls in a much calmer manner than his body language suggests.  He was not normally one to act quite so impulsively, but if the child was endangered than action was necessary; the Prime Directive was clear.  He was not at all sure what his sensors had detected, but Bright Star had confirmed the Skandling taint, which was enough proof for Sun Runner.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:37, Mon 19 Apr 2010.

 "What? What's going on? Blue? Can I try to rig a carrying harness on you so you can carry this stuff? We might need it and I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it! And I'll take this food stuff too, in case whats in the ship is depleted or spoiled. Is there anything here you others need? Backup power nodes or whatever? Oils and lubricants? Food?"
 She hurriedly tossed said items onto the cases then grabs anything that might be useful, including her blankets and pillow. Then she tried to rig strappings to load the cases onto Blue's back.

 ooommphhh Blue grunted slightly as she tightened his cinch." Yeah thats right,a little snug, but better snug than loose. you've ridden before.

    We can help you fly, and if the ship is recent we should have all we need on it. Pilots tend to be over prepared. It looks like who ever built this place knew a little about building steeds, or other robotics. so we should be able to find parts about anywhere.

 "I wouldn't want to leave something behind that might be critical. But I think that's all the usable stuff that is specialized. The rest is pretty standard issue stuff I think. Okay, we're packed and ready now."
 She grabbed her pillow and blankets and waited for the others to head out toward the shuttle.
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 22:54, Wed 21 Apr 2010.

   Sun Runner looked up at Maran and nodded his shaggy canine head.  He didn't want Maran to see quite how concerned he was at the moment.  He had to respect her spirit though, she was a strong young girl; independent and resourceful.  Right now though, he needed her out of danger, in case this became nasty.  She would be safe with Blue Steel.
   "Good, thank you Maran, for being so thorough.  Go with Blue Steel, please.  Bright Star and I shall be along...shortly." His returned his attention to the shelves and sent Bright Star a low frequency message:
   "Right then, Bright Star, as soon as Maran is out of harm's way, we are going to ascertain just who our unexpected 'guest' may be.  Are you still detecting it?"

  Blue walked to the door and nudged the release with his nose. he poked his head out cautiously looking around before a moment. "It looks clear.

    Still plenty of room for you. Twisted his head back to th packages strapped to him. I am a bit....rusty.....But I think I can remember how not to dump my rider.

    Sun run ahead and have a look, put that new chassis to a good field test...

   Hey you missed the most important bit of stuff here. Star emerged from a stack of boxes with a rubber ball in her small hands. Fetch Boy!

    She tossed the ball out the door and into the courtyard after waving it in both hands for a second and purring happily as she waited for Runner to respond.

   Sun Runner tried to ignore the rolling spheroid as it bounced and taunted him, drawing his attention away from his foe.  Suddenly, he turned tail and sprinted after the rubber ball, barking all the way.  Catching it easily, he spun around and loped back to Bright Star and dropped it to the ground at her furry paws.  Licking his chops, he stared at her expectantly for a moment, before he was able to reestablish control and disable the vexing program.  He looked into her feline optical sensors and growled.
  "Bright Star...bad bad kitty!"

 She nodded as SunRunner spoke to her then climbed aboard Blue being careful not to spill the packages. It was a bit uncomfortable since there was no saddle, but if he didn't take off running like a bat-out-of-nell she'd be able to stay on.
 "Ok, I'm ready when you are."
 Just then Bright Star threw a ball and she watched in amazement as SunRunner chased the ball, though he was clearly annoyed when he had retrieved it. If Bright Star wasn't careful, she was going to have a slobbery dog type aiming for her long tail!
 "Bright Star, we have no time for that! Stop distracting him, and stop distracting yourself! There is something out here in the ruins that killed all the other humans, including my parents! Stop horsing around and keep watch out for danger!"

 "Kids!" Blue nickered and gave the two a look of horsey disapproval, ears laid back slightly. He stomped his foot and swished his tail impatiently.
"Runner you're on point, Star you play tag along, keep an eye out behind us.
 Maran, just enjoy the ride...been a while and it feels good to have someone to ride with again."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:50, Sun 09 May 2010.

    The ruins were much as they had been when Maran entered them. the smoke had lessened and now only dust and fine sand blew through the stones and crystal buildings. Blue moved slowly and cautiously letting the two others spread out and keeping close to large structures avoiding the open areas of the complex. the only thing stirring among the ruins was the group, and the sky was clear, nothing flew over the compound until a single brightly blazing meteor streaked across the compound leaving a dull thump as it passed over head

 "Wow, you feel just like a real horse! It's amazing. You're soft and warm, and the muscles move and slide just like a real horses do. Whoever created you did a very good job."
 She nodded as he ordered her to just hang on and enjoy, though of course she had to keep a watch too, because she'd already seen what the creature could do, and she wouldn't be human if she wasn't a bit scared just now. Sure, if the others got hurt, maybe she could patch them up, or maybe not. And it was a sure thing if she got hurt badly, she'd be in deep dirt. She doubted the others would know what to do with a human if one got hurt very badly.
 "Whatever it is it moves very fast, so keep your eyes and sensors peeled!"

   Sun Runner looks back at Bright Star.  His optical sensors engaged her own, now feline ones, in order to quickly relay a tight tachyon beam emission message directly to her.  ~Very well, Maran should be out of the proximity of danger now.  I am going to advance and investigate under these shelves, in fact we'll sweep this entire perimeter.  If there is a Skandling hiding here, we'll find it.  You cover me, Bright Star, with whatever means are at your disposal now.  Are you ready?  Advancing now.~
   Every circuit was on fire as numerous data entries of his old foe flooded his cerebral cortex.  The surge of power from his central core was tremendous and he wondered if Bright Star was experiencing a similar sensation.  Sun Runner could feel the vibrations radiating through him as his Protection Protocols activated every system, preparing the 'former' Steel Steed to engage the enemy if necessary.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Fri 14 May 2010.

   Moving cautiously Sun pokes his head under the low shelf, the dark recesses are dusty and stink of packing foam and lubricants. Nothing moves, in the shadows, and he smells only traces of scent left by the former occupants, and their pets. only a faint, non insect scent remains, too faint for his new nose to track. something in of itself that seems odd.
    What ever had moved was long gone, leaving only smudges in the dust and it's almost unnoticeable scent behind. given the confines of the small space it is unlikely that the lurker was much larger than runners new body, and even then it would have been difficult to move without being seen or heard, or scented.

   Sun Runner pulled his snout from underneath the shelves, growling low. "Prometheus Radiant!  Whatever was here left long ago.  And the scent data is too minute to attempt any further tracking efforts.  This olfactory sensor suite is extremely efficient, in truth a marvel of technology.  I can only conclude that whatever was here was capable of masking its presence in some way.
   Examining our available data, accounting for the limited parameters of its last location, it was likely some type of stealth unit or creature sent by the Skandlings.  Whatever could have been so important in this place?"  The tension in his body relaxed slightly, but the light in his optical sensors showed his frustration.
   At least the threat to our human has been negated, for the moment.  Have you discovered anything else useful with your new sensory capabilities, Bright Star?  If not then Let us do a final broad sweep and then regroup with Maran and Blue Steel."

  " Uh, you say it is long gone?" Star sounded dubious as she replied." I can still see it's footprints on the floor, their still warm.:

    My nose isn't as good as yours but I love these eyes, they are .... soooo coool. Star replied sounding almost ready to giggle. I can see all sorts of things, little hand prints on the box where Maran touched them, little pinpricks of heat where what ever it was walking, even where you were standing a few minutes ago is still warm...and Maran about glows with heat, she's hotter than all of us..like something is wrapped around her. almost like a blanket of ..something."

   Sun's ears perked and his wolfish head swung around swiftly, his optical sensors flashing brightly, and he growled.  "While I am interested in your visual acuity, there is a more immediate priority, Star.  Can you track it?  Did it leave a discernable  signature that you can trace?  It is our prime directive that Maran remain safe and THAT is our priority!  Until we find this...being...it remains a threat." He glared at Star, his fangs showing as his lips curled into a snarl.

 She rode happily upon Blue though of course she kept an eye out for that giant bug thing she's glimpsed before, or had thought she'd glimpsed. She wasn't sure anymore. Everything that had been happening lately was far too strange and wierd to make her brain sure she wasn't dreaming it all. Still, Blue felt warm and...alive and wonderful.
 "Where's this ship at?"

" Whoa big fella Star skittered back instinctively" I can talk and look at the same time, no reason to bite my head off... literally. I just got it... Star stopped talking as her head lifted as if following something up the wall. " Mybe we ough to catch up to Blue, He might need us." Star turned and darted for the door all size legs pumping as she made a Bee line for Blue and Maran.
    " we have company, more than one, I can see tracks from two critters on the roof heading out the door where Maran and Blue went

  " If I read the map on their computer right it's on the other side of the.. Blue stopped his ears twitching as he turned his head to look up along the rooftops of the buildings beside the street." What kind of animals do they have here? Blue asked casually.

 "How would I know? We just came here to dig, and haven't been here that long. Mostly I saw lizards and small things. I doubt much could survive here in this barran land. There's no free water around here. We had to bring in bottled water." She craned her neck around trying to look all directions at once to see if he'd seen some animal she'd never seen before, or if he'd spotted some tiny little thing barely surviving here.

  " Sorry Maran," Blue sounded embarrassed as he spoke." I hear something, but it's a little bigger than a lizard or a mouse. His ears flicked nervously., Runner, Star, get ready we have trouble."

    " Stay with me Maran, hold on tight and don't be afraid, No one,no one is going to hurt you. as he spoke his body rippled Blue steel flowed up along Maran's legs and across her body, warm and feeling like water as the fluid encased Maran in armor that shifted and moved with her.
   To Maran it felt as if someone had just embraced her with a full body hug, and wrapped her in a warm soft blanket.

 As Blue turned to scan the sky line a single human made grav sled passed over head making a tight turn. From one roof a small shape rose. No bigger than a child it stood on spindly legs it's overlong arms and small head making it look like a spider monkey in silhouette. Another rose and another a chirping grating chirr filling the air.
    The creatures were a mix of reptile, monkey, and insect, their tails ending in bony stings as long as a kitchen knife. A dozen of the things shifted and made false charges on the roof tops hissing spitting and shrieking as they worked themselves up to attack.

---

in the grav sled, T'risa's hand moved to the control yoke turning it and pushing it downward as if acting on it's own." Here the grav sled settled to the ground in the plaza at the end of the street. as it did so another troupe of Hell Monkeys appeared. Their lidless faceted side eyes unmoving but the small too human eyes in the center of their face shifted and gleamed malignantly as they howled shrieked and chittered.
[Private to T'risa K'mahda: sorry about puppet mastering you for a minute... but it was the easiest way to get you to the right spot.]
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 22:36, Thu 24 June 2010.

   " I hate Kobolds Rhic Groaned in contempt, resignation. and disgust. Watch your backs. They're sneaky little prigs... He drew his Heavy Pistol and thumbed back the hammer the cylinder rotating with an ominous click.He Leo,Let show the lady how we dance. His hand snatching a long bladed Valkiir combat knife from it's sheath.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Fri 25 June 2010.

T'risa sighed heavily in the sled. "Just shoot them and be done with it. We don't have the time for you two to go killing everything with a knife to prove you can. We have people to find and rescue." she drew her pistol, but did not shoot. The week had taken it's toll on her. She'd refused to accept Leo's dreaming for her thinking she'd recover naturally. Her eyes and whole frame showed her to be exhausted. But they'd completed the mecha construction for the village. It would be safe as they ventured out trying to fix what went wrong on this forsaken world. "You two go have your fun while I have a look around....and what exactly are kobolds?"

She poised ready to jump over the edge of the sled as it slowed to a stop, wondering if she should link into her friends minds. She looked at Leo for a moment, before deciding to see how things would turn out without her intervention. The boys needed to blow off some steam after a solid week of building.

  " They come from Styx Theta, in the Stygian cluster.Bio engineered area denial weapons. Rhic replied flipping the handle of his knife around and holding it out to T'risa." They swarm you, use their stings and their teeth so get a blade in your hand your going to need it.
    He clenched his cybernetic fist and the knuckles studs popped out an began to hum a definite shimmer of distortion forming around his fist.<" Orders Commander?" He looked directly at T'risa. his calm professional tone lacking any hint of sarcasm or humor. his eyes fixed on her and his mental tone was of cold, absolute confidence in her and in Leo.

T'risa nodded thanking Rhic for his weapon. the knife looked absurdly big in her hands. "This is a knife?" T'ris shrugged as she tried to hold the massive blade in her hand. "Not you too. My name is T'risa. Call me Marshal if you need to be formal. I know something is here....but not precisely what. Leo? where do we go?" T'risa had absolute faith in Leo knowing what he was doing. It was her hand that brought them to this exact spot, even if she had no idea why, but it was Leo that had brought them in this direction. "Does plasma not work against kobolds?" she looked at Rhic for an answer, fully expecting it to be no. "You know with all the military hardware on this allegedly deserted wasteland planet, I'm a little surprised no-one from the CA put ortillery in place."

" Sharp sticks work on them." Rhic grinned looking a little bemused by how she handled the knife." any thing does, they just come in gross packages only..sort of like corn chips... break all ya like they just make more.

"They are individually more fragile than humans but where human packs number perhaps a dozen or half that... Don't imagine anything less than twice for a Kobold incursion.  They actually have permission to fight in trios in what are typically one vs one arena matches... well, maybe permission isn't the right word."  Leo's hands clenched closed and his music volume rose up slightly, "I figure you all can shoot and I'll get the ones that make it close.  I may not quite get all of them so a knife isn't a bad thing to have on you... you remember any celebrations of the Valkiir 'Day of Swords'?  That is a knife."

Leo began to sway and stagger twisting and whirling it almost made it difficult not to look at him during the combat about to ensue.  Not to mention that his music volume went up as he moved a few steps away from the others.

T'risa took her plasma pistol from it's holster. Making sure it was fully charged, she switched her knife into her left hand. "Very well, you have it Leo. We blast and any that make it through are yours to deal with. I spent a year on Valkiir recovering after an assignment, I got fairly familiar with most.... well, with some of their customs. I love them all. The difference between me and a typical Valkiir, is that they could lift me in one hand and what they call swords, I call hull plating." her eyes watched around them. "Why do I think this is going to be like that human thing? The Gunfight at the mediocre compound."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Wed 07 July 2010.

In reply to Prometheus (msg #154):

She heard something and looked around, then saw the strange creatures making short runs and screeching loudly.

"Oh no! What's going on? What the heck are those things? I've never seen them or anything like them before! Lets get out of here! They might bite and things that bite can kill you...errr, me! Blue, head for the ship you said you know of!"

   As soon as Sun Runner caught the Skandling scent the rest of the world disappeared from his sensors.  He gave Bright Star no further thought, she would catch up on her own.  His audio sensor suite, far more acute than his previous system had been, was also registering other life signs, humanoid from the modulation of their speech, but he paid them no heed.  Every circuit was on fire now, concern for Maran awakening power reserves he had not used since his last conflict with the cursed Skandling.  He would not fail her.  Never again would another human suffer at the claws of the Skandlings.  Never, ever, again!
   His powerful legs drove him forward until at last his optical sensors detected Maran and Blue.  Suddenly his sensors were overwhelmed with data, hostiles appeared on almost every rooftop; processors automatically tallying the number and range of the enemy.  Unfortunately he had no weapon suite available to him, no distance weapons to strike the enemy first.  This was going to get very ugly.  Time to see what his chassis could do.
   He sent a Focused Tachyon Transmission to Blue Steel, alerting him to Sun and Star's arrival.  He knew that Star would listen to this transmission, which made things more efficient.
   "Blue Steel.  These creatures are enhanced organic Skandling slaves.  They will try to swarm us, use their numbers advantage to surround and annihilate their target.  We have to get Maran to safety!  I've detected humanoids approximately one kilometer down the main road.  They have transport.  Take Maran there as swiftly as you can.  Star and I will cover you.  GO!"
   Quickly Sun Runner moved to protect Steel and Maran, an unexpected canine howl escaping from Sun's vocalizer before he could switch it off.  That animal mimicry program was prooving to be a nuisance, but for some strange reason the old Steed didn't mind.  He bared his teeth at the Skandling minions and dared them to attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:26, Mon 05 July 2010.

   "Hold on Maran, were going for a ride," Blue warned as he gathered himself for a leap and exploded into motion.  Powerful muscles bunched and tensed under his skin as he broke into a ground eating gallop that would leave many other mounts in the dust.  "I see them; they look human, Blue replied to Sun.
   The big Stallion moved at a blistering pace, leaping obstacles and stretching out his full length as he made for the sound of the humans engines. the buildings, scrub brush and tumbled stone blurring as he pounded along the ancient streets his hooves ringing like hammers as they hit the pavement.
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 20:59, Tue 06 July 2010.

 "Come ON you guys, don't fight unless you just gotta! We can get away if we hurry! They seem to want the aircar...I think. Sun? Star? We got to GO!"
 She hung on, though she didn't think she could fall off if she wanted to, which of course she didn't. Blue had her in a safety harness of some kind. The air stung her eyes and they teared up so she couldn't really see anything, so she just clung to his mane and let him run.

Leo saw the charger... just as he was about to try contacting Prometheus for a status update.  "...No, We're good, here comes the line we hold.  I admit, they have quite a number for catching only a few folks.  Then again, they shouldn't have been expecting us so what should we expect right?"

[Private to Maran; Prometheus; T'risa K'mahda: Leo's mental voice was like a man standing in an otherwise silent room, and seemed to have almost nothing in common with his actual words at the time, "Maran, I see you, it's Leo, I'm with two others and we have a bit of firepower between us all.  We should be able to let you rest a bit once you get behind us."]

[Private to Prometheus: Are all of them infected by SHE or only certain ones?  If only certain ones, Leo would try to tell his companions that they are what passes for leaders among the group.]

 As the Steed thundered across th plaza heading toward T'risa's group the kobolds went crazy. a dozen of them leaping into motion after the fleeing Steed chasing it at breakneck speeds down the street around The Grav Sled the Kobolds jumped from roof tops and screeched insanely running at preternatural speed towards the group.
   the small creatures were leaping and bounding heedless of any threat, their spindly legs and arms stronger than they looked from the speed the small terrors ran with.
[Private to Leoulin: You see five that are infected. they are screeching and motioning the others forward. ]
[Private to T'risa K'mahda,Leoulin : You just felt a definate Psionic twitch. not strong enough to get any details on but someone is using psionics nearby]
[Private to Sun Runner: Sonic weapon System Online As runner see's The attack begin nested software kicks in and activates a system hidden from his initial scans.
OOC use these stats for lethal and non lethal..."Bark:
Sonic Stunner +2 to hit 20 cell 2d6 sonic    non lethal crit range 20 X2 range inc 20 ft single shot
Sonic disruptor +2 to hit 20 cell 2d6 sonic    lethal crit range20 X2 range inc 20 ft single shot



 ]

OOC:
Two rounds till the Kobold's reach the group.
one round till Blue reaches group

Kobolds Move action jump from roofs
Kobolds Move action Pursue Blue
Kobolds Move action Move toward group

T'risa's eyes furrowed tighter as she looked into the distance. "I guess we shoot the small things?"

She raised her plasma pistol towards the the incoming crowd of beast, just knowing she was going to hurt. Her voice took on the more serious tone of someone used to command.

"Fire on the beasties. Take tactical spacing. Anyone gets overwhelmed yell for help."

Her first shot was very poor. It went very wide, the plasma spilling over rocks wasted. T'risa's cheeks burned in embarassment. "and shoot better than I do"


10:46, Today: T'risa K'mahda rolled 18 using 1d20+13. Knowledge:Tactics.
OOC:Not sure if Leo or Rhic would like to be linked to T'risa. If they do take a +3 to defense for 4 rounds.
10:48, Today: T'risa K'mahda rolled 6 using 1d20+5. to hit. I won't bother rolling damage lol

Leoulin relays mental data on the 5 'leaders' to T'risa, he could get it but it was complicated for him to say anything while he worked on being ready to kill things... it actually bothered him that we was likely to have to kill some other than the five he had designated though.

A series of circuitry lines ran between Leo's right hand and the spike of mental energy that had projected from it and there was the soft hum and crackle of the thin line of energy that promised to keep the wounds delivered from bleeding much... "Damn I hate just doing my job sometimes..."

Holding action to attack the first one that makes the mistake of closing in persuit.

  Watch your backs, they try to swarm around you in a fight. Rhic warned as he reached into his cargo pockets and came out with a metal spere the size of a baseball. He snagged the safety ring of the grenade on the buckle of his harness jerked it free and let the safety spoon fly off ...
    " One thousand one, one thousand two....He counted aloud as the fuse inside the body of the grenade sparked to life and began to burn. calmly measuring the distance by eye he gave it a toss aiming for the middle of the group charging in from T'risa's side."FIRE IN THE HOLE!

   Sun Runner didn't have time to debate with Maran.  He fought the almost overwhelming urge to obey Maran's command, which was directly at odds with his primary function as her protector.  Desperately he initiated his emergency override protocols, which allowed him to disobey a direct command that could inadvertently harm another sentient.  He could see Blue Steel racing ahead, his speed impressive even for the normally swift Steed.  Sun would have to buy them time to ensure Maran arrived safely.
   His surprise upon discovering the previously overlooked systems gave way to steely determination.  His brown optical sensors gleamed as weapon specs uploaded to his central matrix.  Let's see what this unit is capable of...wait, I have to bark?  He growled, programming a reminder to adjust or reconfigure the weapons system requirements, then turned his muzzle in the direction of the Skandling foes closest to Blue, targeting systems quickly finding his target.  Knowing it was for Maran's safety he accepted the indignity and BARKED loudly!

OOC: 14:22, Today: Sun Runner rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Sonic Stunner +2 attack on the pursuing Skandling.  (Move action if necessary to get close enough for attack)

14:29, Today: Sun Runner rolled 5 using 2d6. Sonic damage if applicable.

 When she suddenly seemed to hear voices in her head, she cried out briefly and clamped her hands over her ears, though that seemed to do little to keep them out. She feared she was going crazy all of the sudden, with the screeching and the noise and the shooting and the fear she felt with all the chaos. She closed herself off as tightly as she could and refused to hear all of it, just concentrating on getting away from it all as soon as possible.
 "Run Blue Run!"
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 03:24, Wed 14 July 2010.

  " Oh no you don't." Star hissed as she leaped after the Kobolds, a low feral snarl of anger ripping from her new body. " I got a fist full of razor blades with your name on 'em bub.

   The Kobolds seem to pour from the rooftops two dozen at least, as hammers up the main avenue more fall in on his heels. screaming jabbering and screeching as they bound after the fleeing steed. Star catches one of the Kobolds from behind, leaping at it's back with all six limbs. trying to sink needle sharp class sinking into its back to secure her grip. and then her jaws closing over the back of it's neck. She was only half the size of the kobold but that was plenty large enough to do the job.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:35, Sat 17 July 2010.

  As T'risa raises her weapon and fires Blue leaps into her line of fire vaulting over an obstacle causing her to miss her mark but fortunately missing the steed as well. The group sees a massive warhorse, that looks to be formed out of living gun metal blue steel hurtling down the lane toward them. a human girls held to it's back by tendrils of more living metal that form a safety web and armor of some sort.
   Rhic's grenade hits the pavement and bounces. hitting a Kobold in the face as it rebounds the surprised Kobold gets only a moment to look at the object with a puzzled expression before it detonates sending Kobolds and Kobold limbs flying as the pint sized monstrosities are ripped into by a hail of jagged steel and piano wire wound inside the casing of the grenade.
    As Leo charges up his psiblade the leaders stand bolt upright. Shrieking in rage, black smoke begins to pour from every pore, eyes and mouth as they his and spit in a long forgotten language. the five hurl themselves forward hurtling toward Leo with a berserk rage in their eyes.

   As sun chases the pack of Kobolds he unleashes his inbuilt weapon. a loud very eerie bark is heard by most but to the target in the beam of the sonic module in his throat the sound is more like the sound of a jet engine revving to full power accompanied by a thousand fingernails on chalkboards.
    Stars target goes down under her leaping attack rolling cursing shrieking as it tries to dislodge the three cat body from his back. until jaws close over his neck and teeth sink into his skin. the damage front he teeth not as dangerous as the pressure across the veins leading to his brain. in seconds the creature goes limp and lays unmoving.

OOC:
Free round two
Leo, looks like your enemies are coming to you.
T'risa.. have Conrad check the sights on that pistol when you get back.

T'risa looked curiously at the steed before her attention was drawn back to the impending fight. Raising her pistol she ignored the targetting scanner using her immediate prescience to fire where the kobold was going to be.

As she fired the shot she knew it would hit. As the kobolds approached her left arm ballooned a shield forming on it.

"Be prepared. cover your backs."

OOC:
12:58, Today: T'risa K'mahda rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Confirm crit?.
10:28, Today: T'risa K'mahda rolled 24 using 1d20+5. To Hit
12:59, Today: T'risa K'mahda rolled 10 using 2d8+1. damage.

Everyone still has +3 defence except Maran and the sentient steeds
T'risa's psi shield is now active.

Leoulin let himself drift on the waves of the music as his enemies drew near.  This was how he accessed his combat prescience... already shifting to the sounds that would come a second or two later this was an almost meditative practice and had been his joy for years.  The burning blade at his hand and the circuitry along his arm, not to mention the dancing, whirling and flashing, lent a very dance hall visage almost terrifyingly surreal to be in a combat zone.

OOC: that +3 Defense puts me at 22 with only the lightest of armors...
I have an 18... counting my precognition, and we'll call it a smite reserved for a smokey one.  Make that a 21 to hit and 22 damage
This message was last edited by the player at 13:04, Wed 21 July 2010.

  "Stay Close T'risa. Rhic moved slightly blocking the shortest route to T'risa. His left hand twitched shifting the barrel of the heavy hand cannon he held. thumb clicking back the hammer as he sighted. the big gun thundered  twice...Thoom...click...Thooom...

OOC:
Designating T'risa as subject of Bodyguard ability Harm's Way
14:26, Today: John 'Rhic' Rhictor rolled 5 using 2d8. damage.
14:25, Today: John 'Rhic' Rhictor rolled 24 using 1d20+8. to hit.
14:25, Today: John 'Rhic' Rhictor rolled 12 using 1d20+8. to hit roll.

   Sun Runner allows himself a wolfish grin as he detects Bright Star entering the fray in her usual graceful style.  He could not allow himself to lose focus, however, and he renews his attention with the Skandling adversaries.  His IFF display was lit up with targets, they were all swarming on this location.  If they weren't thinned out, and fast, they would completely overwhelm the Steeds with their numbers!  Sun Runner would NOT permit that to happen.
  The only thing that would bring these reeking Skandling slaves out of hiding  to attack now...is Maran and the rest of these humanoids!  Prometheus Life-bringer!  What if the reactivation of the Steeds' tech inadvertently led the Skandlings to these humans?
   Sun Runner's powerful legs loped tirelessly on as he ran behind Maran and the her racing Steed mount.   chose another target, taking care to pick the enemies coming closest to Blue Steel's flanks.  He shut down all non essential functions, deciding he needed all available power and a minimum of distractions.  With an angry growl he focused on his target and let out his sonic bark once more.

11:33, Today: Sun Runner rolled 10 using 2d6. Sonic damage x2.
11:27, Today: Sun Runner rolled 25 using 1d20+8. confirm crit.
11:25, Today: Sun Runner rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Sonic Stunner +2 attack on Skandling foe.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Tue 27 July 2010.

   Blue felt the air rushing over his mane and the street under his hooves.  He loved a good run through the country but the situation didn't leave much room for enjoying the scenery.
     " Next time we go for a nice easy trot around the lake." Blue promised Maran. "A picnic basket, a blanket, a few sandwiches and some apples for me." He kept his tone calm and easy, trying to sound reassuring as he stretched out to his full stride, aiming for the cluster of human soldiers up ahead. As he reached them, he leaped going full extension up and over the low slung grav sled aiming to land on the other side of it and put solid metal between Maran and the creatures.
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 19:39, Tue 27 July 2010.

 "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooowwwwww! The blurry landscape around her tearing eyes changed suddenly into moving chaos as she felt Blue ready to jump, and she barely had time to brace herself for the leap before he was air-born in a mighty leap no real horse could ever manage! She knew intellectually that she wouldn't fall because he had her in a safety net, but still her body and mind reacted with a rush of apprehension as he sailed into the air.
 She was nearly knocked breathless by the sudden landing as well, but managed not to grunt with the impact. She really was going to have to have a little talk with him someday about all this! She tried to wipe the tears from her eyes and look around, wondering what all the commotion was going on around them.

   " Pthewwwww...ick...pthewwwStar spat a gobbet of Kobold out of her mouth and bounded off after the next one she spotted. Barreling as fast as her six legs could carry her she let out a low feral mewl, and growl and leapt again trying to thin the herd as fast as she could. she was fighting herself to keep from mauling and playing with the one she had just finished. and the urge to stop and wipe the bluish ick off her face and fur was overwhelming.

     The Kobolds moved faster than any creature their size should be able to leaping over one another jumping obstacles and clawing their way toward their targets.
    The first Kobold literally blew apart under the impact of T'risa's plasma shot. ripped in half by a pea sized packet of superheated gas rapidly expanding as the gravity bubble around it ruptured. the force of the blast scattering several of the insanely leaping Kobolds as they recoiled and skittered backwards at the sight of her handiwork.

    a second leaped for Leo, To his eyes it left a murky trail of black smoke behind it, it's eyes twin pits of darkness as it shrieked a shrill hate filled scream. it never made it to him the shimmering blade of psionic energy sliced through it's body like it was tissue paper. the smell of seared flesh filling the air as the blade passed through it. both halves falling to the ground twitching and kicking black ichors and smoke boiling out as it died.

   Leo spun twisted leaped and danced among half a dozen of the larger Kobolds who seemed centered on him. their tail spikes lashing and darting. as they tried to mob him. two of the rapier thin spines of bone struck home on his body unable to find a place to dig in they still left painful bloody welts across his skin.

Rhic Punched two round into two targets the overpowered hand cannon punching them backwards to lie on bloody heaps. the older man grunted as a spine dug into his thigh and two of the small creatures literally scaled him biting and gnashing at his shoulder and face. this armor and the heavy casing of steel that protected his arm blunting their efforts as he grappled with the small creatures.

    The suicidal rush of bodies was a powerful method when numbers were so one sided however each time the creatures leaped to attack they were open to reprisal. three more of the Kobolds fell to the group. The Heavy blade in Trisa's off hand snapping out into thin air only to have a Kobold leap onto it. the blade arriving before the Kobold leaped.
    Leo spun and twisted almost without effort his blade passing through another body sending it to the ground.once again black blood staining the ground as he danced surreally detached from the carnage.
    Rhic almost casually snatched one out of the air the metal fist of his right arm closing with a sickening sound as he shook the creature like a terrier with a rat.
   Sun found himself facing a quartet of Kobolds, the small creatures recoiled and hesitated unlike their counterparts, the feral growls and menacing teeth less of a threat than the guns and knives of the humans but something held them off, their strikes tentative. when he barked again the center of the group shrieked and covered it's ears, the compact sonic weapon in his throat hitting him with subsonic waves at the same decibels as a rocket lifting off, or front row at a Kronos concert.

OOC
07:28, Today: Prometheus rolled 7 using 1d8+4. AoO dmg rhic.
07:28, Today: Prometheus rolled 4 using 1d6-1. AoO dmg trisa.
07:27, Today: Prometheus rolled 8 using 1d4+6. AoO dmg T'risa.
07:27, Today: Prometheus rolled 8 using 1d4+6. AoO dmg leo.
07:26, Today: Prometheus rolled 10 using 1d20. leo AoO dmg.
07:25, Today: Prometheus rolled 26 using 1d20+9. AoO Rhic.
07:24, Today: Prometheus rolled 13 using 1d20+5. AoO Trisa.
07:23, Today: Prometheus rolled 21 using 1d20+7. AoO Leo.
07:06, Today: Prometheus rolled 2 using 1d6. kobold attack(leo).
07:06, Today: Prometheus rolled 4 using 1d6. kobold attack(leo).
07:04, Today: Prometheus rolled 7 using 1d20+4. crit confimr (star).
07:03, Today: Prometheus rolled 5 using 1d6. kobold attack (star).
07:03, Today: Prometheus rolled 2 using 1d6-2. kobold attack(sun).
07:02, Today: Prometheus rolled 1 using 1d6-2. kobold attack(sun).
07:02, Today: Prometheus rolled 2 using 1d6-2. kobold attack(sun).
07:01, Today: Prometheus rolled 14 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(sun).
07:01, Today: Prometheus rolled 16 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(sun).
07:01, Today: Prometheus rolled 12 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(sun).
07:01, Today: Prometheus rolled 16 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(star).
07:01, Today: Prometheus rolled 21 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(star).
07:00, Today: Prometheus rolled 13 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(trisa).
07:00, Today: Prometheus rolled 11 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(trisa).
07:00, Today: Prometheus rolled 7 using 1d20+4. kobold attack(trisa).
07:00, Today: Prometheus rolled 5 using 1d20+4. kobold attack( rhic).
06:59, Today: Prometheus rolled 14 using 1d20+4. kobold attack( rhic).
06:59, Today: Prometheus rolled 18 using 1d20+4. kobold attack( Rhic).
06:59, Today: Prometheus rolled 23 using 1d20+4. kobold attack( leo).
06:59, Today: Prometheus rolled 22 using 1d20+4. kobold attack( leo).
06:58, Today: Prometheus rolled 10 using 1d20+4. kobold attack( leo).

Leo Two attack hit
6pts total
Sun two attacks landed
 3pts total before DR

The dancer moved like a dark, glistening, cyclone, complete with ethereal light and fire... not even really pausing his movement long enough for what most would consider a decent shot, his mind created blade ripped another skittering Kobold open.

OOC: Leoulin rolled 14 using 2d6+7. assuming they aren't heat resistant.
Leoulin rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Psiblade to hit.

T'risa tried to aim correctly at the kobolds moving around blue steel. Their primary mission was to save the girl after all. The large number of possible paths for each being there and their possible future were confusing to T'risa. there were a flood of possible immediate futures overwhelming to her senses. She frowned, firing at a kobold near blue steel trying to relieve some of the pressure from him and his charge.


10:02, Today: T'risa K'mahda rolled 5 using 1d20. strike. +5 =10 I think that's a clean miss. Told ya, as far as combat goes.....I'm not great lol.

Rhic reached up to tear the Kobold biting his shoulder free the hiss of myomer fibers and the sound of metal on meat and bone followed by the wet cruch of meat and bone his hoped for outcome.

18:52, Today: Prometheus rolled 23 using 1d20+7. Grapple.
18:53, Today: Prometheus rolled 8 using 1d6+4. 1d6 crush damage

 She scrubbed at her eyes and blinked then gapped as she took in the battle around her. She cringed back as the shots rang out and the screeching creatures all around attacked in a maddened crazy way that scared her spitless.
 "Blue?! What is going on? What are those things? And who are those people? Are they pirates? We got to get out of here now! Where's that ship you was talking about?"

  "The ones with guns are friend's....they're her for us. I can tell one of them is A'halut...a Purifier one of our friends...do me a favor and point at a Kobold for me.. Blue raised a heavy hoof, and snapped a kick with his forelimb at a Kobold." going spin to your left hold on Blue twisted and aimed both rear hooves at a Kobold they was coiling to jump at Maran.

 She looked at the creatures attacking them, an insane group of creatures if she ever saw one! She pointed at one as Blue said to do then hang on to Blue when he whirled around and kicked out with his hooves.
 "Yikes!"

  The Kobolds swarm in again, leaping and slashing at the group with their tail spikes. the skittering jabbering things have little success at injuring anyone, their weak attacks easily brushed aside, deflected by armor, or simply ignored by the group.
    T'risa manages to connect despite her hasty shot, sending another Kobold away in a blast of plasma and a spatter of cooked meat and gore. the spatter hitting blue.
    Rhic pulls one of his attackers free his hand closing with the desired meaty crunch and pitiful squeal as he removes the creature from his misery.
    Leo's dance leaves another broken burned body in its wake, the larger Kobolds converging on him with murder in their beady eyes. Lashing out they miss the mark until one manages to leap onto him for a moment driving it's spike into his shoulder.

OOC ,
13:59, Today: Prometheus rolled 5 using 1d6-1. damage non crit.
13:59, Today: Prometheus rolled 18 using 1d20+5. crit confirmation.
13:58, Today: Prometheus rolled 25 using 1d20+5. kobold leader 2.
13:58, Today: Prometheus rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Kobold leader.
13:49, Today: Prometheus rolled 12 using 1d20+3. kolbld group 3.
13:48, Today: Prometheus rolled 6 using 1d20+3. Kobold group 2.
13:48, Today: Prometheus rolled 6 using 1d20+3. kobolds.

Leoulin slows his dance somewhat and his movements become notably more... restrained as this latest spike in the shoulder put him as visibly injured... he attempts to twist around and do in the varmint that so pierced through his shoulder.

Leoulin rolled 15 to hit
12 damage using 1d20+4,2d6+7. psiblade, defensively.

With this being the 3rd round... I think that gives me a 26 ac for now, but Trisa's 3 wear off at the end of this round right?

T'risa used her mind to direct Leo and Rhic into a closer fighting posture. Using her mind she pushed out to the girl, bringing her into the defensive circle. At once everyone could see those few microseconds where the kobolds would most likely be, focussing on defensive posture, T'risa gave them all a glimpse of the future to better protect themselves.

OOC:Attack Action Tactical aid for everyone +3 defence for 4 turns
This replaces anything I can do, but dodge.

  Rhic moves into position keeping himself in the path of the charging Kobolds, His fist strikes out aiming at empty air, He brings his pistol around and fires into the path of another Kobold his eyes not on where they are but where they will be as he follows T'risa's guidance.

   Once he sees Maran and Blue Steel have safely reached the humans, Sun Runner abandons any attempts at defense.  With a low growl he launches himself at the nearest Skandling-slave, determined to wrap his synthetic fangs around its throat.

OOC: 16:57, Today: Sun Runner rolled 14 using 1d20+7. Bite attack on nearest kobold.
16:59, Today: Sun Runner rolled 6 using 1d6+1. Damage for bite attack, if applicable.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Sat 07 Aug 2010.

   The Kobolds press their attack relentlessly, more correctly, insanely. the screeching and gibbering, sounds more frenzied as they gain numbers. Leaping at Rhic as he blocks their path to T'risa they literally crawl up and over the big man as he puts himself in harms way. His shot goes wide, as does his punch his switch of tactics throwing off his rhythm slightly. a blood streak begins to spread from his shoulder and back as he is raked and clawed by his attackers.
    With almost no effort one of the leaders falls to Leos psiblade. Leaving only one of the larger Kobolds standing to face him. The creatures death as an effect on the smaller Kobold four have fallen within a minute, the smaller creatures seem to hesitate, and shrink away from the group hesitation costing them their opportunity to strike at T'risa and Star as they begin to loose the eagerness that had possessed them a moment before.
    Blue spins and kicks the Kobold on the receiving in of a double hoofed blow is thrown into the air and screeches pitifully as it slams into a wall. sliding down among a clutch of it's fellows. their confusion turning to terror as Star lands in the middle of them sinking her fangs and claws into one, blood and screeches of pain coming from the tumble of limbs that rolls across the street as she mauls the creature. a second later anther is caught in suns jaws, fangs and powerful jaws crushing it's neck before it can utter a last squeal of pain.

OOC:
No damage for anyone but Rhic...
Kobolds Shaken...now might be a good time for someone to try and scare the little beasties off.

Her eyes lit with inner fire, T'risa looked carefully among the kobolds for the next biggest one, the one that would assume the leadership role now the biggest had been killed. Having spotted it she focused her eyes on it, once she had it's attention, she sent an aggressive impulse towards it, making it know it would be the next to die. She set her pistol towards it.

10:25, Today: T'risa K'mahda rolled 18 using 1d20+10. Intimidate.

   " You are the one who has interfered... The voice hissed out of the air, coming from the Kobold as it began to skitter backwards it's fear and hesitation overpowering what ever drove it forward."How dare you think to disrupt my plans, how dare you think your witches tricks enough to thwart one beyond your pitiful understanding..HOW DARE YOU THINK YOURSELF LES THAN A WORM FIT ONLY TO FEED MY THIRST...WITCH.....PRETENDER!!! DARE YOU TRIFLE WITH YOUR GODESS'S WORKS!!!

 As the voice ranted a shadow formed around the lead Kobold, Tall and fearsome something inhuman that grew even as the Kobold began to wither and fall to the ground. The other creatures began to screech in mortal fear throwing themselves to the ground and trying to slink away.
  The rank metal scent that hung over the planet became almost palpable as the form grew to twice T'risa height details forming and solidifying as the aura became real to her.  a mixture of reptilian and insect features that vaguely resembled a Q'sa, however they were far more evolved looking, dark sentience burning in it's eyes, an obsidian mask covering it's mouth and lower face joining to a headdress made of black steel looking more like a crown or ceremonial headdress than armor.

   BEHOLD ME AND ADORE ME!!!!! WORSHIP ME, FALL ON YOUR KNEES AND BEG ME TO GIVE YOU MERCIFUL DEATH!!!!!

   A powerful psychic assault washed over the group as the image wavered and shifted. the power of it incredible even to a trained O'maeda.

OOC: will saves

 As Sun Star and blue watched the humans in the area seemed to freeze, their faces going blank, for a long moment. Only Maran seemed unaffected but the shield around her burned fiercely with a blue shimmer as Blue seemed so stagger under the strain of the assault. The same fierce energies shimmered and flickered around Leo as he stood motionless staring into a distant point the image of the thing shattered exploding into black dust that evaporated before it hit the ground.
  without a sound Rhic falls forward landing in a lifeless heap. rolling over and taking a deep ragged gasp as he begins to babble in some language no one around him speaks.
[Private to T'risa K'mahda: You're suddenly and violently torn from where and when you are. In you minds Eye you see a battle field thousands of soldiers fighting a last stand, Tae, Tau, Valkiir, Even Najuhlim soldiers are being massacred by a sea of Q'sa and Onai soldiers. in space you see the assembled fleets of every race burning being destroyed by Hundreds of the Alien Dreadnoughts that lifted from the planets. You see both Kronos, and the Tau flagship the super-dreadnought Khugara Rii burning twisted wrecks, then The O'maeda Home world burning as a fleet of Q'sa warships encircle it raining city busters onto the surface.
  Then you see yourself worshiping the thing that tries to invade you mind, force you to love and worship her. you see yourself as a chained pet, willingly giving yourself to the thing. You have no future with, You have no destiny, only to serve me, to serve my will...you will give yourself to me, and i will take pleasures undreamed of from your body".

    You also see the past, of battles, endless battles. of ships burning in space, exploding one after another as a shock wave tears through their formations. Of creatures akin to the Q'sa literally burning as raw hyperspace energies explode into normal space incinerating everything they touch. the images of the past feel like memories, not intentional broadcast. The final images in your mind are of ships, leaving the planets.
          ships that resemble pure crystal formed into jagged towers and spires on one end a massive complex of nested spheres spinning one inside the other at the forward end of the ships. The images match descriptions of O'sahdii ships. you see hundreds of them fleeing the planet as it is consumed by a wall of raw hyperspace that seems to fill the sky beyond the leading edge of the wave.]

        [Private to Leoulin: you feel the alien mind pressing against your concousness, trying to fill it with images that refuse to form, for an instant you can feel the nature of the mind, not one but tens of thousands of minds controlled by one will. you can see tendrils of psychic energy faint and almost intangible trailing from the Kobolds, back to the source, ragged unsteady and flickering as if the bonds were being pushed beyond their abilities. the flow is one way, the energy seems to be siphoned from them to a source that is distant from your current location]

PM
T'risa slowly bent one knee, moving to the ground. The struggle between her and the entity, proving that the intruder was winning.
[Private to Prometheus: T'risa gazes with horror. Her mind reeling with shock at the senseless waste of life. The tears fell from her eyes, each a glimmering a beacon in the wake of death and destruction. "No, it will not be. I will strive with every iota of my body to see this does not come to pass. I will defeat you." Her body shook with the desire to join the alien queen, every moment as she tried to shake it away a struggle. Her mind equally a victim, moving towards the Queen, T'risa struggled to keep herself seperate from it. Her mouth unvoiced echoed with her thoughts forcing them towards the Queen. "Your kind is worthless, your kind is hopeless. The time for the Q'sa is past, the time for the O'nai is past. It is the Tae and Tau that will overcome and destroy you and your kind. You are not my goddess, you are an anachronism. An old worthless thing that has long become irrelevant. Left on a dead world to rot. You rule potholes and destroyed cities. Your allies, long forced to peace settlements because they cannot face our armies and navies. This.." she pointed to the battles "is all fantasy, a twisted vision from someone that everyone else has forgotten. The O'sahdii took your toys away from you, and in the very near future, we will too. Rest peacefully, whoever you are. For our ships will probably pass on and ignore you, irrelevant in the past and irrelevant once more. Old, decrepit, useless, forgotten... how many words can we use to describe you. I see you old Lady, I have your measure now. Beware my wrath, lest I decide to see you and bring destruction and extinction to you and yours." T'risa's minds voice filled with resolution at the last. She put the certainty of her spirit into her voice. Leaning forward she whispered to the thing "You will beg for mercy, and I shall weep as I wipe your kind from the universe." T'risa brought forth her memories, placing them around her. The attacks by the Cesti, the pirate/mercenary, the surprise attacks by the Q'sa, the attack by the taken over civilians, the battle that had just finished where the others had prevailed "The difference between your visions and mine are that mine are real. Watch your children be scattered into ashes. Soon you will not even be a memory."]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Tue 10 Aug 2010.

Leo looked at the dark energy a moment more and then began to bob his head rhythmically, "Yeah... I don't even let my Mother oppress me.  Go back to your weaker playthings, I will not allow you to usurp freedom any longer.  The name isn't worm.  It's Leo." He holds aloft his blade and cries, "Official ass kicker of Prometheus, your foe, and thereby ass kicker of all your minions.  Here's his Seal of Approval,"  The blade flared with additional power as circuitry along the blade lit up once more and he charged to press the blade through the image and into that stream of siphoning power... he figured that was where it would hurt the most.

Leoulin rolled 28 using 1d20+14. Smite SHE.
Leoulin rolled 17 using 2d6+10. Because Smite hurts.
...oh, and if it matters, it ignores 10 points of DR/Hardness.

  There is an almost physical blast of Psionic energy as Leo's blade intersects the fading image of the being. a shock wave ripples out from the center raising dust off the ground and causing a visible wave front to form as if someone had detonated a bomb in slow motion.
   For Leo the effect is quite similar to sticking a fork into a 20 gigajoule reactor. at least as far as the sudden jolt of mental energy and the psionic fireworks display are concerned. the psionic energy being drawn from dozens of nearby Kobolds flows into his Psiblade and into his body for an instant he can see, hear, feel and touch the world from dozens, if not hundreds of perspectives at once. the sensation is powerful, as if he were all those individuals at once. And simply too much for his mind to process causing him to black out and fall to the ground in a heap.
   Like puppets with their strings cut the Kobolds simply fall over dead, the scene is eerily silent for several moments before T'risa snaps out of her daze finding herself the only one standing. Blue having moved toward her with Maran setting in the saddle looking confused and totally lost.

Leo rolled over and after a moment of editing his own memories so he didn't have to deal with all of that stuff again every time he thought back on it... in reality he put it in a drawer of his mind, that one moment... Leo took another moment as he looked at the 'smoking gun' of his right hand... the gauntlet was gone now and his bright blue skin revealed, "Void Yeah!" he curled up and sprang to his feet with only a slight stagger.  "That was like... awesome opportunity for me to vent.  A lot of personal feelings were able to be let go just a little.

Everyone Alright?  Third best feeling in the world!"

 " Gott im Himmel, was dieses ist. Rhic muttered as he levered himself up off the ground, looking around with a suspicious, wary look that seemed out of place on him."was hier geschehen ist....What happened, Did someone get the number of that buss that hit me?? Rhic added after a moment shaking his head and clearing out the mental cobwebs.

T'risa looked around herself, relieved that both Leo and Rhic were fine. Her eyes blinked, focusing on the steed and its precious cargo. A flash of anger crossed her face at Leo being so foolhardy.

"Leo, in future, take more care. If she put more of herself here that might have killed you and Rhic. Matters were in hand, but nonetheless, you did well. Thank you"

T'risa frowned at Rhic as he babbled on the ground. She shared a glance with Leo wondering if the old man had lost his sanity in the backlash, before his speech became coherent.

"It wasn't a bus Rhic, it was psychic backlash. Leo played the hero and it worked....this time." she looked back at Leo trying to feel disgusted at him, though she was in fact pleased at the outcome. She motioned to Leo to help Rhic to stand up as she turned to face the steed.

"Greetings Maran, I believe you know Leo, but I am T'risa K'mahda and the fellow on the ground is Rhic. Are you... and your friends ready to come with us?"

T'risa closed her eyes, quickly scanning the area for signs of life and perhaps more pertinently hostile life. She raised an eyebrow looking at the steed. "I only read of your kind in fairy tales, yet you are here. It makes me wonder of the other things that might have been missed through the years."

Leo raised his face mask, "Hi again Maran... we met in the dream.  A pleasure to meet the person," he offered as he moved to help Rhic.  He'd recognized what seemed to be one of the many human languages that the race seemed to feel it needed... The things non-telepaths bother with...

"For the record, I didn't play the Hero, or the Fool.  IT was carefully calculated destruction of my foes.  I see the lines along which she was drawing power and cut it.  I'm an ambassador of the Tae... duly appointed to the Promethean race, cybernetic life... I'm fully qualified to use my body or allow others use, in times of peace or war," that said he scoffed as if he was surprised that she didn't know all of this already.  He couldn't help but smile though.

  " hello T'risa, Leo, And Rhic. Blue looked around to see if Maran had recovered from their ride retracting his safety web to let her move freely." fairy tales?" Blue looked puzzled then snorted a horsey laugh " We were trying to get Maran to safety, but it looks like we ran right into trouble.

"It seems as though we are trouble magnets, wherever we go it seems to follow us, but I am glad you and yours are safe. There are no places safe on this planet while the Goddess remains, but we can offer you a trip to a human place where Maran will be safer than in most places around here, until we deal with her."

T'risa rolled her eyes looking over her shoulder at Leo. "You're their ambassador now?" She stepped back from Blue Steel moving to one side to allow Leo to talk to them. "You might wish to consult with those you represent." She took Leo completely seriously, moving to help Rhic by the hand so that Leo could talk to the others in privacy.

" I have met some manipulative,soul sucking, psychotic bitches in my life but that thing has matriarch Maera beat. Rhic sat where he had fallen for a moment. Thanks, I feel my age today. He gratefully accepted T'risa's hand as he stood. reaching up and ripping the tail spine of a Kobold from his shoulder.
   " Might make a good knife for you, slim, strong, wicked sharp."

    What did you see, she tried to get into my head, fill it full of things."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:07, Sat 14 Aug 2010.

T'risa looked at Rhic as if he were mad when he held out the the spine of the kobold "Ah....I think I'll pass, I prefer my tools to be less....organic and less bleeding. I just have this thing where I have a mental block on using dismembered body parts as weapons."

She blinked happily struggling under the weight of the man.

"Oh you met Matriarch Maera? I think she's as empty as a black hole." T'risa considered how to approach the situation and reveal what she'd uncovered. "She pulled me into her, Rhic. We had a discussion while I was there. She has no..... she won't stop until our races are crushed. All of them. Tau, Tae, Nehajilim, we were all on one side. Q'sa, Oo'nai...something she called Skandlings on the other. She showed me history, Rhic, they destroyed this world to kill the O'sahdii living here. I uh....surprised her a little, promised genocide for her and her race unless she stopped. I don't think it worked. You get much of the same? I think it surprised her I could read her."

  " She's crazy as a bedbug." Rhic shook his head. slipping the spine into his belt. " I Have never known anyone to cross the O'sahdii and live. I've been through kinds of hell I hope you never see. If this psycho lives it's gonna make the Najuhlim invasion look like a picnic." Rhic looked up at the sky as if looking for something.

    "Guess we know why everyone is so interested in this world now, if it were an O'sahdii colony there may still be tech left behind...like that horse, thats no human cyberoid, that stuff he wrapped the girl up in is nano tech. Companies on Thuderhead or Styx would sell their firstborn to The Najuhlim to get their hands on something like that."

    Genocide huh? Gotta love a woman who knows how to show some brass. Just remember to bring along a few regiments when you meet her in person."

Leo smiled still, "No, no, he and I have an understanding.  I mean, if you want advice on something, I think I can commune with him... but we more or less understand that all our purposes are genuinely parallel and so I hit things he dislikes with a bit more oomph and in return for being his backhand out here while he's away... I get an additional dietary requirement and..." he glanced at the circuitry markings that still adorned his arm even while the gauntlet was deactivated, "...a few other perks."

That said, he checked the wound on his shoulder, he winced but the inside of the exposed wounds, along with connecting circuitry lines lit up with a soft light, not unlike that of his Psiblade, and when it dimmed the wounds were gone replaced by his lustrous blue skin.

"Here Rhic... let me try this on you too... I can't do this very frequently... but I think I'll have time to rest after this so with another organic repair command to spare, maybe this will let you be on your feet a little better again," he thought it was polite to give the other man warning before placing a hand near the largest wounds on Rhic.

"Not that I think being held by a beaut- T'Risa," he corrects himself slightly, "Is entirely a bad place to be, I just don't think that you should have to be there if you prefer to walk on your own," not being one particularly skilled at hiding when something was wrong, it was clear that restoring Rhic's independence was not his sole motive in recovering the companion, though only as his eyes moved slowly off of T'risa did he quickly catch himself and tuck some kind of anklet again into his boot rim.

Leo was far easier to get along with after he had hit something.

Rhic Healed 11, Leo Healed 12(didn't really add right in the roller the first time) each move actions so this is okay even for one tactical round if something jumps to its feet screaming with rage.

T'risa nodded "Plans to bring in the regiments are afoot. That's why we want the HPG repaired. We're far enough away from Tau space I doubt I could reach anyone else and make sense on my own....but with what I just did. I think every Battle Witch in Tau space will be calling Grand Admiral J'dai to find out what's going on. The future just got a lot darker."

She watched with curiousity as Leo stepped in trying to help Rhic. She stood off to one side with her arms folded as she stood poised, looking unamused as Rhic blundered his way through communicating while he healed. "And you agreed to these modifications of yourself with little thought of possible consequences. Oh well, I hope our paths continue to remain parallel. Ask it for all the information it has on She, the Q'sa, the Onai and Skandlings. We need to know more of our enemies. The Q'sa have always been a thorn in the side of the Empire, but She has stirred them to come here. I'd like to know why she has brought them here. Ask it if it has the ability to contact the O'sahdii."

She turned to face Blue Steel "So you are machine sentient. Are you aware of the entity with which Leo has made a pact? You have rescued Maran, and for that I thank and trust you, but I suggest we move back to the base of operations we've established on this planet. Are you willing to come with us?"

Leo shrugged and with a shine of humor in his voice, "If it had been my first contact with them... then yeah, I might have worried a bit, but... I'd have to Dream it for you... there's no other way to explain it than feeling for one's self.  I have to ask... didn't you see the blackness pouring off of those creatures?  I saw the minds whose power SHE was feeding from... in that bursting moment.  Not to mention that consequences are for those who have time.  I'm a survivor... choosing the future... that's someone else's job," he refrained from saying it was hers, just to be polite and show a little sympathy.  His face said he shared much of her trepidation, "Tell you what... I have more than just social freedoms to fight for I basically signed myself up to be a personal spearhead in this little genocide you promised.  We can't afford to be afraid.  Afraid is what got the races being subservient to SHE, 'fear is the mind killer', I'll ask about HER minions but I don't have the mind for lots of technical mumbojumbo... I can remember it, recite it, but for practical purposes I'm likely to only make much use of 'Apply force here' diagrams.  We may not get much, I'm not sure what the rules are."

That said, he took a moment to slip into communication with Prometheus...[Private to Prometheus: Sir... I imagine you have a fair idea what just happened, if not, I'll bring you up to speed... I think we're going to need whatever edge we can get as far as your intelligence on HER minions, and the survivors of your children... I was thinking there might be some key to contacting them still around, but, I'll need you to tell me what to look for before I start looking so I don't skip anything.]

  " yes, I know I am. we all do?"" tossed his head." I am Blue Steel, of the Steeds, this is Maran my friend and my charge, We look after young people who need a friend. Blue looked toward Star and Sun" I know of Prometheus, But we are only his children, it has been some time since he spoke to us directly.there were more of us on this world but things happened."

   "You don't seem surprised that we are alive, the others who found me were confused. I would have stayed and explained but I 'heard' Maran and had to return to find her. and my friends"

T'risa filled with indignation. "I didn't see them, Leo, she swallowed me inside her. I was not aware of anything passing here. It is sad, but this genocide has to be. She leaves no room for alternatives. She is absolutely sure that it is her place to rule us all." T'risa's cheeks filled with colour "I merely sought to make her pause to think for what she is asking. Promising her genocide for her and hers seemed an apt way to do so."

She watched Leo as he sank into a trance, looking puzzled at Blue Steels comments as she turned to answer. "I have been on this planet for only 24 hours and we're about to start an intergalactic war the likes of which no-one has seen. I've seen dreadnoughts been destroyed, entire villages of people being taken over, battles a plenty, technology recovered that was surely lost. To be honest....A steel steed is one of the more normal things I have seen today....you have friends? Please invite them to join us. We need to be on our way soon."

 "All this has happened before." Blue replied sadly,"Since I became aware the Steeds have helped those who were threatened by the Skandling, ancestors of the ones you call Q'sa."
 "Worlds rich and bright have fallen to them. They view your kind as nothing but farms and cattle. The Nephilum are simply fodder for them. The O'sahdii gave us the means to fight but their numbers are few and they are not warriors. They need the Nephilum to fight for them, which is why I believe the Skandling despise you people."
 "There were quite a few of us here to help evacuate the people of this planet,many of us were caught in the cataclysm. Our cores are difficult to destroy. If they still function some have the ability to sense them. I can tell you how to reactivate them. They will serve willingly...It's our purpose."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

T'risa looked depressed "I had hoped to avoid genocide, but I am ardent this is the last time this race will threaten us again. What do you call them? What can you tell us about them? We will rescue your survivors when and where we can....and should it become necessary to evacuate this place again we shall bring them with us and not leave them behind."

T'risa wander over to look more closely at Maran and Blue Steel while Leo communed with...whatever it was he was communing with. Her cool eyes watched both Maran and Blue Steel carefully. "Welcome back to the present day, Blue steel. Maran, we'll need to return to the human outpost quickly. Before they return and in greater numbers. We killed many, but this planet seems infested with them."

T'risa though over everything that had happened since arrival. It seemed as though their next course of action would have to be to investigate the destroyed dreadnought for technology and information.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Fri 13 Aug 2010.

Leo refocuses on T'Risa, "I didn't mean to mitigate your strength.  You are very impressive in more than just one or two ways... I felt it might be helpful to know that I can sense HER influence in others.  I left a message for Prometheus... I'll probably get more information the next time I really sleep."

He understood she had a lot on her mind at the time but he didn't much care, "It might do you in particular good for us to get back to the ship and rest.  In fact, I am feeling kind of insistent in this moment... Anyone objecting to moving out?" he said checking over their transport... the last thing they needed was to all have to walk.

   Sun Runner completed his sensor sweep of the area, finally satisfied that the hostiles had been eliminated, for now.  He runs to Bright Star to make sure she is still functional, then asks her to follow him, if she is able.  He walks forwards, heedless of the carnage strewn around him, approaching Leoulin first.  He catches Blue Steel's attention, trusting his fellow Steed to already know precisely what Sun would ask.  Once he receives Blue's response, he turns his wolfish face to Leoulin.
   Immediately his sensors flood with data on the Tau O'maeda male as his automatic scans take the full physical measure of the man standing before him.  Slowly Sun Runner bows his head in respect, then lifts his grey optical sensors meeting Leoulin's own.  He growls out a greeting in the old language of Avandii.

"H'leth A'halut'ii.  M'va O'halut Sun Runner."

[Private to Leoulin: ..."At your service, Purifier, I am Sun Runner of the Steeds."    He greets you as a servant would a Master, which would seem very unusual from Leoulin's cultural perspective:)]

T'risa watched the next one approach, as it evidently communicated with Blue Star she surmised it must be another awakened artificial sentient. Her suspicions seemed to be confirmed as it spoke to Leo.

"We can talk on the way there. There are others you should acquaint yourself with. If this is the last of you in the immediate area we should go."

    Love the color, Purred as she looked up at T'risa. using one of her forepaws to try and brush her fur clean she was soooo not going to lick herself in front of people. the urge was driving her mad though. " Is it a custom tint, or do...ummmm humans come in that color now? she looked to sun then sighed. " I am Bright Star by the way, everyone just calls me Star though, I am the brains of this outfit, and the personality as well. old runner there is a bit of a...

T'risa looked at the little one. "I'm not human, I'm Tau. We're tangentially related to humans, in that we share common ancestors, but we're seperate and have different technologies, customs and cultures. My people have evolved separately from Maran's. I'd be happy to discuss these things with you at length, but perhaps later, after we've returned to the Crow." T'risa accepted Stars word, as she looked over the cat, a powerful urge to pet her coming over her. Her hands reached out to pet, but resisted. "Bright Star is a very beautiful name for one such as yourself. My name is T'risa K'Mahda. I am appointed as a Colonial Authority Marshal, there are others we need you to meet. Let's please leave this area so we can formulate plans on how to retrieve the others of your race trapped here and stop Her once and for all." she waited an instant before continuing "If you like you can sit in my lap for the ride home."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Sun 15 Aug 2010.

Leo patted the Wolf-Steed, "I may be what you say, but don't give me any of that awe and reverence crap, call me Leo.  Do what you figure is best at all times and we'll sort it out later.  Sun Runner... it's a good name, a little tribal heavy, but strong.  Let's go then..."

He was more than ready to leave.

    " Maran, I'm Rhic," Rhic said to Maran as the others exchanged pleasantries.  We are Colonial Authority Specialty Action And Rescue. The lady Is Marshal K'mahda; the other one is Leoulin.  We were sent here to investigate the trouble at the dig sites, and Leo was sent here to help you and your friends get to safety.  I'm sure this is pretty confusing to you but if you give us a chance we might be able to explain it. If your willing to trust us enough to let us give you and your friends a ride back to the main compound and some clean sheets, hot food, and other people."
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 22:59, Mon 16 Aug 2010.

  " I don't remember such wonderful colors among ...ermmm Humans. star replied as she brushed up against T'risa's leg the impulse from her new personality mods catching her off guard. usually her brushing against a human mean a human got knocked down, the new body definitely had it's advantages." Things must have really changed while we we're napping.

Unable to resist any further, T'risa drops to her haunches delighting in the sensation of Bright Star's fur against her fingers. Her fingers moved up and down the thick pelt, the smile on T'risa's face growing larger by the minute.

"You know the knowledge of your existence may upset some of our scholars. They dispute that humans were around first. Insisting that the Tau were. Do you know how long you were asleep?"
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 21:46, Wed 18 Aug 2010.

 She replied to Rhic more than to anyone else, since he seemed more reassuringly human. The lady with the blue skin and orange hair was just a bit unnerving to her right now.
 "Hi Mister Rhic. I'm Maran. I was here with my parents and an archeological team studying the ruins. Something started killing everyone. It killed my parents first, then it attacked again, so they locked me inside the recreation center/Mess hall and went to hunt it down. It wasn't like these things here though."
 She pointed toward the dead things that littered the ground around them and along the avenue back the way they came. It made her feel sick to look at those dead bodies. It was too much a reminder of the deaths in their camp. She swallowed hard and wiped away a tear as she thought of her parents and of her friends. She straightened up and tried to act more adult. She didn't want to seem weak in front of strangers, even if she was just barely a teenager now.

  " I see," Rhic frowned, following her gaze as she looked back up the road. and took a deep breath then smiled sympathetically." Lost my folks way back when. things got pretty bad,I was a kid when aliens landed and started killing people,saw my share of bodies in the street too. So lets get you away from this mess and somewhere where you can take a long hot bath and have a meal that someone actually cooked."

 "Oh! A real bath in a bathtub? And real food? I'd almost die for a bath! And real food sounds great! Processed meals are ok, but they never really taste just right, ya know?"
 She laughs at Bright Stars comments. Yeah, the lady did look a bit strange.
 "I've never seen a blue skinned person before, though my friend back home dyed her hair orange once for Halloween."

    Yep, clean clothes too. I even heard rumors they're might be ice cream hidden on our ship somewhere.", Rhic Nodded with a smile and a laugh. Motioning toward the heavy Grav sled it's enclosed bed large enough to hold Blue steel and the rest easily." If your ready Maren we'll get out of here.

"You are at a younger age than I was when I met my first pink person. At first I though he had some kind of horrible skin disease, but it's all a matter of perspective. From where I am...pink skin is unusual." T'risa continued petting Bright Star asking her if she minded being carried as she led the way to the vehicle.

   Bright star melted into a boneless heap as T'risa began to pet her purring loudly as she enjoyed the sensations, she rolled over sticking all six feet in the air " Take me I'm your's she sighed as T'risa picked her up.

T'risa cradled the cat in her arms constantly petting it, her subconscious enjoy the feeling of warmth and harmony. "Don't tempt me, I could happily do this all day." She frowned, before continuing to pet Star. "We need to hurry up. The others will need us soon."

   everyone loads up into the cargo Sled, loading Blue into the rear of the sleds once inside everyone can see and talk to one another without problems although the interior has become a bit cramped. lifting off Rhic heads to the landing field under blues direction and everyone transfers to a small hyperspace capable ships boat and heads back to link up with the crow.
    Once inboard Blue can link to the ships boat computer and pilot the craft by direct access to it's systems. flight time is about one hour, that will put you in the area of the crow about the time M'kira spots the fleeing spy,

Please move to the Furesh Scout Crow thread.