Suddenly, one of the White Court vampires rushes you, and before you can blink, your head is in one hand, and your body in the other.

You verse out, startled at the awesome speed and brutality of the attack.

Dreams of Vampire Meter Maids trying to ticket your clown car move from a suburb of gingerbread houses to a large city with a windy day.

And then you do feel a steady wind.

You open your eyes, and look down over the plasticrete edge down a mile and a half through dozens of aircars and walkways to the surface so very far away.

"Gaaaah", and you look around. You're on a walkway between two towers.  A thundering space freighter passes a few hundred yards overhead.

No railings are in evidence on any of the walkways.

Awareness comes slowly, as I come to terms with recent events.

:: Dearest LORD, please guide and guard me now, I pray... ::

That sudden attack was... unexpected, but in retrospect, not surprising.  I suppose that I was monitored, and managed through my latest conversing to give away that my mind wasn't fried after all.

I'm not certain where I am, so better safe than sorry.

Eyes still closed, I open up my senses to the feel of the wind, and the sounds of unknown vehicles(?) moving above and below me(?).

Trying not to move, I stretch out other senses, reaching out to sense where my belongings might be, and if there are any other versers in this universe.

Then I attempt to send out my telepathic senses, in order to get an idea of my situation without letting on to any observers that I am awake.

Then I attempt to stretch out my clairvoyant senses to examine my surroundings from a slightly more dispassionate third-person perspective, from my immediate surroundings to a more macroscopic view of the area, and eventually zooming out to the world itself.

And finally, I open my eyes, take in the scene described... and close them again.

Tightly.

I become aware of a thundering drumbeat in my ears, moments before becoming aware that it is my own heartbeat.

: Why be afraid of heights now?  I could jump off now, and it would just be a doorway to a new world.  Why should heights strike a level of terror that decapitating vampires can't touch? :

: And is not the LORD Sovereign, and in complete control of every facet of every situation I experience?  He has brought me here, for His good purpose and pleasure, and for my good and growth. :


:: Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me now, I pray, and give me the wisdom and courage that I lack...  ::


I take a shaky breath, and speak, eyes still closed.

"CU2. Status. Are there electronic communications within detectable range? If so, begin recording now. Monitor, and summarize when ready. Analyze current surroundings, and summarize."

"Ring. Status. Are there electronic..."

OOC: Is there anyone near me, or approaching me, on the walkway?  How wide is this walkway?  And how far is it to each tower? :o

The wind has the faint taste of hydocarbons and plastic and mold.

You sense a vector to your belongings, but no other verser in the universe. But you do sense someting Other. Not a verser, not your belongings, but something that twangs on the same guitar in your stomach, but on a different, discordant chord.

*Yes, I'm introducing a somewhat new idea that may not be MJ approved.

You touch thoughts of many different people...where's my limo, if that driver....my hair looks good for the Senatorial Gala.....rich scum not even watching, but his bodyguard is....two hours and forty minutes till shift end. I'm bored.....this place is supposed to be the center of the galaxy, but nothing's gone right. Incompetent morons....

Clairvoyantly...you're on Coruscant. A huge section of the major continent is covered by spacescrapers going up four hundred and five hundred stories, and the more dense areas, even up to a mile high.  In just a quick glance in local orbit you spot dozens of ships, including one Star Destroyer.

Shaking, you move slightly away from the edge. The walkway is a hundred yards long, eight  yards wide, about four inches thick, and you're forty yards from one side. You feel courage touch you, but fear has a really strong grip on you as well.

Ring and CU2 both reply...

"Overload. Overload. Analysis of continuing data impossible."

OOC Q1: Am I able to converse telepathically with Ring?

OOC Q2: Which way are my belongings?  Are they on the walkway with me, or (probably somewhere far) below me, or elsewhere?

OOC Q3: Is there anyone else on the walkway?  If so, location, direction, and heading?


OOC: BTW, I like your new idea(s)...  :)

"Narrow search parameters to news-related broadcasts only.  Prioritize based upon items most reported on.  Analyze and summarize."

Clinging to the courage that I feel the LORD supplying, I inch my way carefully to the center of the walkway, and retrieve any of my belongings that are nearby.

Then I stretch out my telepathic and clairvoyant senses into each of the two nearby towers, seeking insight as to their respective purposes.

And I pray, seeking insight as to which way the LORD would have me go...

Yes.

Somewhere in the distance, at about your level, which probably means in another tower.

No.

Cool.

There is considerable reports on General Grievous and Chancellor Palpatine, and problems with balances of trade.

In the closer tower you hear a man thinking, one shell, two shell, three shell....there is a flat, calmness to him as if he is not quite human.  In the other tower...ship...hehehehehe....slow.....heahhe...fast....money....heheheheoh yeah...the mind is definetely not human.  Its hard to even figure out what the being is thinking about.

You inch to the center of the walkway.

No insight from your prayer.

OOC EDIT: Light bulb!  My RL brain and memory aren't what they used to be.  "Darkly humorous"...   Perhaps as in versing out with only the stuff I was physically carrying when I versed out?  While the rest of my possessions are elsewhere on Coruscant, as far away as Oak-Wizard's apartment was from my verse-out location?  :o

OOC Q0: Am I correct in my assumption that I currently have exactly the possessions I was carrying when I versed out, and that I currently lack exactly the possessions I had left in Oak-Wizard's apartment?

OOC Q1: Which direction is the vector to my stuff?  Is it in the direction of any obvious tower in visual range?


OOC Q2: Is there a vector (or vectors) associated with the discordant Other?  If so, what direction(s)?

"Continue recording and analysis of news broadcasts.  Update via telepathic interface when more information is available."

"Can you detect any publicly available computer information networks that we can access with limited risk?"

I continue examining the nearer tower via Clairvoyance and Telepathy to gain whatever further insights are available...

OOC: Yah.

OOC: Yah.

OOC: Its probably in a tower, but you're not sure if its too any tower on the far horizonn.

OOC: There is a huge tower toward the center mass of towers. If Vector One is 12 O'Clock, then this is 9 O'Clock to the Discordant Other Vector.

"Telepathic interferecene rising."

And you feel as if a great, smothering blanket has been draped over your mind. Its full of life, and energy, and you can't hear anything through the noisy blanket. Actually, its more like being in a room with a dozen parakeets, now that you think about it.

"Coruscant Public Info Net, Coruscant Edu Net, and Imperial Public Interaction Net are all easily accessible."

OOC Q1: What did I get from Clairvoyance on the nearer tower?

"Access Public Info Net and Edu Net."

"Obtain planetary map data.  Identify current location.  Identify both towers adjoining this walkway."

"Superimpose vector, designated 'Other', in
this direction, and identify approximately intersecting towers, prioritized by planetary importance."

"Estimate distance in previous universe between location of last social function attended in previous universe and place of residence in previous universe."

"Superimpose vector, designated 'Items', in
this direction, and identify approximately intersecting towers, prioritizing by those that are of similar distance from current location along 'Items' vector."

"Identify locations pertaining to the Chancellor, the Senate, and the Jedi, prioritizing by current proximity and significance."

"Identify methods of publicly available planetary transportation near this location, prioritizing by least cost."

"Initiate background process.  Obtain information about sentient lifeforms in this galaxy, sufficient for you to identify them when observed, and to provide a summary of tendencies, motivations, goals, personalities, aptitudes, capabilities, and other relevant and useful data about them.  Also obtain information about their languages sufficient for you to act as a translator."

"Initiate background process.  Obtain galactic map data.  Obtain overviews of historical, political, cultural, and scientific data.  Obtain educational data relating to learning objectives in major galactic education system(s), with textbook data sufficient to educate myself in such areas.  Obtain copies of significant publicly available works of music, literature, and art.  Obtain detailed descriptions and specifications of bestselling technological items."

OOC: Interference.

"May only access one at a time."

You get planetary map data, although much of it is blocked out in specific detail for security or privacy detail.

"D and R Residential Towers. Closer is D."

"Other is most likely Senatorial Tower One."

"Items likely to be in Residential Tower AA, Industrial Effluent Tower Q, or Market Tower RR."

You're able to get public information on the Senatorial Towers (the office tower and the Grand Meeting Tower).  The Chancellor's Tower and the Jedi Tower are also listed. No further information about them is available except for historical data.

"Air Taxi, robotic is available. 5 creds."

You get the equivalent of 500 words on 500 races with a few races like human meritting 2000, along with some pictures.

Translation information not on the Net.

Your last paragraphs covers thirty thousand words, and is fairly general, vague at times, and not the least bit detailed.

OOC Q1: Are the possible 'Items' locations within walking distance?  About how far is it?

OOC Q2: Is the Jedi Tower within walking distance?  About how far is it?

"Access Interaction Net.  Determine if it may be used to contact a Jedi Master named 'Yoda'.  Does communication via the Interaction Net take place synchronously or asynchronously?"

"Ring.  Is nanite cloud capability currently online?  If so, estimate risk factor in assuming nanite cloud form for transportation purposes under current environmental conditions, notably current wind conditions."

Five miles.

Three miles.

It may, but it looks to you as if he receives many questions. And its uncertain that he answers his own questions. Asynchronously.

Yes. High energy levels in the radio frequency range, and other energies of higher levels that are intermittent that would cause unknown effect. Wind may make it hard to move near towers in self-willed direction.

I ponder my position, both short and long term.  My first choice will be to seek Yoda, but I will need to know what fallback options are available...

"Access 'help wanted' listings.  Analyze, and summarize general categories of employment positions available.  Prioritize based upon proximity to the Jedi Tower, and upon those not requiring specific local identification papers or credentials."

"Access information on the Jedi.  How may one join them, and in what capacities?  What are the requirements?  What positions include room and board?  Analyze and summarize."

"Dockloaders, bartenders, doormen, private guard, escort, sparring partner, bouncer are all widely available. Question, do you wish to apply for illegal jobs?"

"One may join the Jedi as a youth with Force abilities. Other means are classified except for Senatorial Oversight Aides which are appointed by the Chairman of the Jedi-Senatorial Liason Committee."

"No illegal jobs."

"Are any of the positions within the Jedi Tower itself?"

"Are there any applicable available categories working with children, such as day care, nursery, live-in nanny, tutor, etc.?"

"Noted."

"No."

"Yes. There are two that do not require accreditation. One is 'Caretaker for Ambassadorial Children. Kzinti cubs.', and the other is 'Feedmonger for Talazoonsk.'

A quick search of your enclyopedia reveals that the K, when full-grown, is seven feet tall, clawed, furred carnvore with excellent night vision, and a tail.  The T are 'Non-treaty signatories due to language issues.'  They live in five mile deep waters, and have nine arms with claws at the end, and a sharkish head.

"Analyze and summarize available information regarding the 'Caretaker for Ambassadorial Children.  Kzinti cubs.' position.  What are the employment terms of service?  Where is the work venue?  Is it a live-in position with room and board included?  What duties are involved?  What is the work schedule?  How does one apply?"

"100 creds per day. Six hour work day. A live-in position is possible, but only room. Caretaking of Kzinti cubs is your sole duty. I can apply by sending an application now. Or you can apply be making your way to the ambassadorial manor."

"Please send an application now."

"What is the location of the Ambassadorial Manor?  How far is it from here, and from the probable location of my Items, and from the Jedi Tower, and from Senatorial Tower One?"

"Unless I risk attempting to use nanite cloud form or teleportation, I need to either walk, or to raise funds for a Robotic Air Taxi."

"Query.  Does available information indicate that one can walk from this location to the probable Items location, and then to the Ambassadorial Manor?  Analyze and summarize."

"Query.  I currently possess data unique to this universe, including locally unknown works of literature and music.  Is there any market for such data here?  Could local funds be raised by selling such a work of literature or music?  Analyze and summarize."

"Two miles direct flight. Five miles by walking. Some of the 'walking' will be elevator and sliderail."

It gives you a listing for the Art Guild, and for Non-Affiliated Art Presentations. These lead to a number of other listings in each group that you might approach.

"Please inform me as soon as a response to the application is received."

"It is a five mile walk from here to the probable Items location?  Please show me the route I should take to walk there.  Is there any charge to use the elevators or siderails, or am I able to traverse the route without any payment required?"

"How far is the walk from the probable Items location to the Ambassadorial Manor?"

"How far is the Ambassadorial Manor from the Jedi Tower, and from Senatorial Tower One?"

Upon receiving confirmation that I can walk from here to the probable Items location without paying anything, I take a deep breath, and pray for wisdom and strength and courage.  I can feel the beginnings of the terror of my current altitude, kept for a time at arm's length by my focus upon gathering information online, trying to take hold of me again.  But it helps to have put several feet and several minutes between myself and the sight of what lies over the edge of the walkway.

And then, with Ring and CU2 to guide me along the needed route, I take another deep breath, and start walking...

"The Ambassador will receive you within the hour. Or tommorrow at this hour. The purpose is a private inteview for the job."

"All elevators and sliderails are free on the planet Coruscant."

"Roughly five miles."

"Three and four miles."

You set out wobbling a bit, fighting for breath, flinching from an overhead freighter than thunders by with the air spinning in strange corkscrews behind its passage, and enter into a more enclosed area. Inside the elevator you relax until it drops, and the exterior wall turns transparent to give you a better view of the three hundred stories  you plunge through with your ears popping and your tippy toes just touching the floor.

At the base of the tower still forty stories above street level you take a sliderail that cuts through a meat market and snakes around another tower.  The railings on the sliderail help an awful lot.

Until the sliderail ends and a railless walkway starts. Gulping you step out onto it. And then a taxi car zooms past you, and you stumble back, to balance half on and half off the walkway with forty stories of clear air below you.  Your back is arched, and you're wobbling between land and air.

"The Ambassador will receive me within the hour, or tomorrow at this hour?"

"Estimate travel time required to walk from current location to the Ambassadorial Manor, both directly, and via the probable Items location.  If I can safely get there in time, confirm appointment for today."

-=-

OOC: If there is only sufficient time to go directly to the Ambassadorial Manor, then I will do so, and seek my items later at the earliest opportunity.  I definitely want my stuff back ASAP, but since I already have my best stuff with me now anyway, getting this Ambassadorial childcare giving job providing room and income and interesting interactions is probably the top priority.

If there is sufficient time to check out the probable Items location before heading to the Ambassadorial Manor, then I do so.

If I can't get there in time for an appointment today by foot at all, then we'll need to stop and rewind a bit while I consider options (such as nanite cloud or teleport instead of walking).


However, if I'm walking at all, I presume that whether I am currently headed for the Items or for the Ambassadorial Manor directly, I will still manage to find myself wobbling between land and air...  :o

-=-

As I wobble, I pray earnestly for the LORD's deliverance, even as I speak an urgent query to Ring and CU2.

"Can Kinetic Field Repulsion be used to safely keep me from falling?  If so, initiate now!"

If my position is such that I can use my oak staff to thrust myself away from the edge, I do so.  If not, I move the staff directly away from the edge, extending it as far away from myself as possible while firmly gripping one end, in order to tilt my balance away from the edge...

"No." Ring replies, but your staff trick works.  And sweating you stagger back to the middle of the walkway where you drop to your knees to give thanks to Almighty God.  Something green with more legs than a dozen, but less than a hundred crawls over you, and keeps on going.

You pray ernestly, and rise, and make your way down the walkway to another elevator, and for two blocks of blessed relief you're actually on the surface of Coruscant.  Several Jawa try to sell you 'Commemorative Headgear', and something about nine feet tall with a lot of scales and teeth asks you if you'd like to have your 'nonfunctional talons buffed and manicured to functionality'.

A unit of Clone Troopers has you pause as they take precedence in the elevator.  But you only have to wait ten seconds for another elevator which you share with something purple and hairy (very) that is about two feet tall.  It smells of peppermint.

Seventy stories up, you announce yourself at a door, and it slides open.

"Do come in, come in. Excellent a tall bipedal, ah, human, excellent." Says the seven foot tall furred man in the leather harness adorned with eight knives.  His tails flicks back and forth as do his pointed ears.

"I am an ambassador, and my duties keep my from home too much, so I would like a caretaker for my cubs. I am unfortunately in a rush. More of those duties. Palpatine is generating more executive orders, and the Jedi Council wants to try to ban 'excessive weapons', what foolishness."

When the leggy green being crawls over me, I gently move the back of my closed hand so that the creature brushes against it as it marches over me.

:: Ring...  Record this form into next available morph memory slot. ::

-=-

And after it has passed...

:: Ring...  Was form acquisition successful? ::

:: As I walk, please seek any available further information regarding Kzinti culture, particularly about appropriate and inappropriate ways to interact with them.  For example, data such as 'always (or never) make eye contact', 'always (or never) smile', 'never speak unless spoken to first', 'always (or never) call them by their name (or whatever other designation)', 'always (or never) express gratitude or deference explicitly', etc.  Summarize telepathically before I arrive. ::

-=-

I keep my telepathic senses open as I walk among all these interesting creatures.

When the nine foot tall scaly toothy creature queries me, I regard it politely.

"I cannot stay now.  But if I came back later, how much would it cost?"

I offer the nails of my Ring hand for inspection.

:: Ring...  Record this form into next available morph memory slot. ::

And after departing...

:: Ring...  Was form acquisition successful? ::

-=-

I do not initiate physical contact with the purple hairy peppermint alien.  However, I subtly keep my Ring hand nearest it if it gets close enough to brush against me, and attempt to acquire that form as well.

-=-

As the elevator ascends, and as I approach the door to announce myself, I listen to Ring's summary of whatever information was obtainable, and pray for wisdom and strength.

And assuming that I don't receive any information advising me not to act as following...

-=-

I nod respectfully.

"I would be honored to act as their caretaker."

"I confess that I am but newly arrived here.  I am unfamiliar with your culture, as well as with your own preferences regarding how to care for your cubs.  Should you find me to be a suitable candidate, would you be able to give me access to data that would let me familiarize myself with Kzinti culture, and with the caretaking needs of Kzinti cubs?"

-=-

OOC Q1: So I assume that I needed to head to the Ambassador's directly, since there wasn't time to go after my missing stuff yet?

OOC Q2: Was I able to acquire any forms along the way?

OOC Q3: Was I able to get any useful information regarding Kzinti culture before I arrived for the interview?

OOC Q4: Any interesting telepathic impressions?

"Successful. Amphibian twenty-legged crawler. Designated from Encylopedia 'Voriak'. No further information."

"20 creds. Hey, if you want to copy my DNA, you gotta pay." The lizard thing says. "That'd be a good oh, 200 creds."

"Yarmask. Low-rent traders and merchants. They warred upon the Empire at first meeting, but were 'persuaded' to peace. Most of their military caste has been annihilated. Said to be capable of mrak fight state, and yarl memory state."

The mop doesn't touch you.

"Primarily, they need meat once a day. About one pound for every ten pounds of cub. If you feel up to it, you can take them to one of the Imperial Parks."

He promises to get you that data later when he comes back.

Evidently you're hired.

He's heading toward the door.

Second...
Yes.
No.
Kzinti culture is run by the sentient males who keep a harem of non-sentient females.  The Kzinti are a peace-loving culture who upon meeting the Empire immediately saw the benefits of contact, and made bold moves to initiate it. See Djanalaso; Vortrepi's Mission. After the Jedi Council intervened, a Mutual Trade Treaty was signed.
Blanket, blanket, blanket. What telepathy?

I fall in step with him as he moves toward the door, walking with him if necessary.  He is obviously in a rush, so I make brief essential queries one by one, listening to each of his answers before asking the next:

"I must quickly retrieve my belongings before assuming my duties here, but should be back shortly."

"When I return, how do I reenter this residence?"

"Have the cubs been fed today?  Where is the meat?  How do you wish it prepared before serving?"

"Do you have a datapad I can use for reference while you are away?"

"Do the cubs communicate in this language?  If they use a native Kzinti language, do you have translation data available?"

"If expenditure is required for the cubs, how do I gain access to any needed credits?"

"In case of urgent need, how may I contact you?"

"No time. I'm sorry."  He says to the first. "You can take the cubs with you if you like."

"House, admit this human at will."

"House show him where food is stored. Chop it into five pound chunks."

"They speak Common, Kzinti, Personal, and Vaskin."

"House give him access to personal credit, less than five hundred, and a line to me. Now I really must be going."

He's halfway out the door, and all his fur is standing up.

It doesn't seem as if I can get any further information or resources from him at this point, so I'll just have to make the best of it, and pray for the best.

I give him a soothing, calm, respectful nod as he heads out of the door.

"Yes, Ambassador.  Farewell."

I quietly blow air out of my cheeks after the door closes, considering the new circumstances suddenly thrust upon me.  I am very thankful for such a position, though I'll be starting out with very limited information and resources to work with, and I'll be hampered from immediately retrieving my missing belongings.

I silently give thanks to the LORD for providing me this position, and pray for wisdom and strength to carry out my duties.  And I pray that He will bless my interactions with the cubs, and with the House computer for that matter.  And I pray for His help to hold back the darkness that is blanketing my psionic abilities, that I might be able to use those gifts here.

And then I attempt to stretch out my telepathic and clairvoyant senses through the rest of the residence.

And afterward...

"House.  As you have witnessed, the Ambassador has hired me to be a caretaker for his cubs.  How many cubs are there, and what are their names?  Where are the cubs currently located?  How long has it been since the cubs were last fed?  What quantity of meat should be prepared for each of them?  Where is the food stored?"

Zilch on the telepathic and clairvoyant. Its more of a living blanket, a field of so much energy that you can't get your message through than darkness although its easier to feel it as darkness.

"You are indeed the Caretaker of the Cubs. Their names are Rawl, Mace, Scrape, Junior, and Cutter. There are five of them born the same day as Kzinti biology makes customary.  They do not have their adult names yet. The cubs were fed in their denroom last night before sleep.  The amount to be fed to each is unknown to me."

You remember the ambassador gave you that info.

"Follow the tone." You follow a 'hiss-hss' noise and it leads you to a Dynamic Stasis Food Storage Device. Inside, you find the equivalent of four cows, and ten pigs of hanging meat. Then there is also some prime cuts of meat, about a hundred pounds worth.

You also see about ten pounds worth of herbs.

OOC: Yeah, I remember.  I was indirectly trying to find out how big the cubs are...  :p

"How old are the cubs?  What are their sizes and weights?  What stage of mental development are cubs of this age, expressed in terms of the age of a human child of similar mental development?"

"What is a typical day like for these cubs?  Do they have a customary schedule?  What activities do they frequently engage in?  Do they have duties or responsibilities, such as chores, schoolwork, or training of any type?  What activities do they like and dislike?"

"Do you have any information regarding Kzinti culture and cub caretaking for someone who is not currently familiar with such topics?  Are you able to compare and contrast Kzinti culture and caretaking with typical human culture and caretaking?"

"Please show me the layout of this residence, labeled by room, with my current location and with the current location of the cubs shown.  Also indicate which room I am to abide in."

"Are the cubs currently awake?  Are they aware of my presence here?  What are they currently doing?"

"Please show me images of the cubs, labeled by name."

"The cubs are three years, four months old."

"Kzinti are built on the felinoid bipedal pattern. An adult Kzinti male is typically 400 pounds and seven feet tall."

The Ambassador is smaller.

"Each Kzinti male tends to have a harem of at least two and up to ten females."

It gives you a map, and lot of 'unknowns'.  However it can precisely regulate the heat temperature in the house to a very fine degree.

OOC: Any responses to the other queries?  :)

Q1: Cub height and weight?
Q2: 3 year 4 month old Kzinti cub is equivalent mentally to a human child of what age?
Q3: Typical schedule, activities, duties and responsibilities, likes and dislikes?
Q4: Cub status (awake? aware of me? current activity?)
Q5: Am I able to see any images of the cubs?  I'm not really asking you to download cub images to this page, but I'd like my character to be able to know in advance what they look and act like, if possible...  :)

Most of that is outside the purview of a House com, and the picture taking is forbidden by Kzinti custom.  The House com seems  much more limited, and dumber than your Ring and CU2.

"Pictures are of use to one's enemies who may then gauge your strength, and the power of your spirit, and the keeness of your cunning in battle."

OOC: Hmmm.  Limited info, no psi, caretaking five carnivorous cubs with unknown capabilities and customs, and many of my items elsewhere, after almost falling off a forty story ledge.  Still, even I can appreciate the dark humor of my circumstances...  :p

Well, information may be limited, and psi may be blanketed, but the LORD is still with me, and directing my path.

So I again pray for wisdom and strength, and that he will bless my interactions with the cubs.

And then I proceed through the residence to seek them out, and get acquainted...  :)

OOC: Oh, this is just the build-up to what I was really talking about.

You open the cubs door, and smell a faint aroma of cat, and a stronger scent of cat poop.  Looking in, its a haven for outsized cats with walkways up and sideways, and holes to jump down into the floor below. You're not sure how many total floors there are.

And then as you walk in, you hear a cheep by your right leg. A small electronic device is talking.

And you see a shadow in front of you.

A beachball made of strips of metal on a rope of what looks to be underwear is heading right at you.  It has what might be steak knives sticking out all over the ball so you're about to be spiked maced by a giant...

You can hear raucous laughter from above and below you....

"Get the pale, furless monster!" One yells encouragement to his boobytrap.

OOC: From my initial glance of the layout in front of me, and of the trajectory and size of the incoming object, what options am I able to immediately process as viable? 

For example, jump left or right into room (anywhere I can land safely?), press myself left or right against door frame (sufficient clearance?), press myself against the floor (sufficient clearance?), jump backward (sufficient time and clearance?), jump over (sufficient clearance?), etc...  :o

You can dive through a hole to the floor below by going right and down. This is the safest from the ball.  You can dive backwards, and crumple up in the hallway behind you, but this is slightly slower.  If you're real ambitious, you can jump on the ball,a nd grab the 'cable'.  It does look sturdy enough.

OOC: And this seen comes from the short story 'The Children's Hour' by Niven and/or Pournelle.  See also the Man-Kzinti Wars series.

OOC: Additional clarifications needed...
Q1: The ball is beachball sized, and the knives are steak knife sized, correct?
Q2: Are there knives on top of the ball, where I would need to land if jumping onto it?
Q3: How heavy does the ball look?  If I held out my oak staff firmly at each end at arm's length, and took the impact in the middle of the staff, do I have reasonable confidence that I could successfully ward off the blow, or am I concerned that the staff could be snapped?
Q4: What trajectory does the ball have?  Does it seem to be swinging like a pendulum?
Q5: Does the top of the cable appear to be attached to the ceiling directly above me, or to the ceiling in the middle of the room, or elsewhere?
Q6: How high would I have to jump to land atop the ball?
Q7: How high would I have to jump to pole vault over the ball entirely?
Q8: If I pole vaulted, would there be a safe place to land?
Q9: If I go down the hole, would there be a safe place to land?
Q10: Does my martial arts training give me a reasonably confident feeling about attempting jumping and/or pole vaulting and/or hole diving, or not so much?

And this is just the build-up?  :o

Yes.
No.
Fifty to seventy pounds. You're not sure you could ward off the blow.
It swings in a big circle as if just released, and the endpoint of this curve is you.
Its attached to a slim walkway running from one side of the room to the other.
Absolute minimum four feet, if done perfectly. Five feet more realistically. Six feet would be best.
Seven feet minimum for pole vault, I guess.
Somewhat rough, multi-level maybe on the far side, but you have enough space if you land well.
Don't know. Can't see.
Your MA training tells you that certain things are possible, and ....you're out of time. Make your decision, or the ball hits you in the chest as you gape at it. Grin.

"Whuuuuh? Ah...Aaaargghh!"  :)

I take in the situation at a glance, and silently pray as I dive through the hole in the floor by going right and down...  :o

You pray, and thus calmly dive, and see a thin ramp ending in a flat platform about two yards square. You carom off the ramp, semi-controlled, and roll into the horizontal plane, and fetch up feet first against the wall, winded.

"Escape, my brothers, escape, the door is left open!" You hear from above you, the same one that was cheering the ball on is now leading the next step of the 'prisoner revolt'. heh.

+@1 for Falling skill, or something like it.

Semi-amused and semi-concerned, I immediately summon my singer's breath control to project my voice in spite of my windedness.

"House, close door to this room now!  And prevent cub access to exits from this residence!"

With another prayer, I do a rapid head count to ensure that all five are still within...

You reach for the wind, but its not there...

"Freeeeeee!"

You succeed the second time with a strong voice.

And Ka-thumphs.

Thud. Scratch.

"Aaah." Different, lower pitched voice from directly above you.

A two foot tall Kzinti cub lands on your stomach after falling five feet. It looks with wide eyes at you for a second, and then begins to groom its claw tipped hand.

"I meant to do that." It says in a much lower voice.

I look around to see if I can spot all five of the cubs from my current vantage point.

IF not, then I project my voice once again: "House, list current locations of each cub."

Then I regard the cub perched upon my tummy with a friendly twinkle in my eye but a respectful expression.

"Indeed.  And it seems that you have captured me, young warrior.  What will you do with me?"

"Hold you for ransom," the cub says automatically.

"Four are in the cub den, and one is in the kitchen combining chemicals in an attempt to make a bomb to force my front door." House replies.

"Oh cool, bombs," you hear from the next level above you.

"House, open a channel to the kitchen."

"Why waste your time on the front door, young warrior?  I am about to give you all a briefing for a training mission... which will involve all of you getting to go outside.  Are you up to the challenge?"

:: Ring... Record this form into next available morph memory slot... Was form acquisition successful? ::

Noise stops. Continues stopping.

"No fair takebacks." And the den door opens, and the escapee reenters.

OOC: Was Ring successful in acquiring the cub form?  If not, then I keep trying while waiting for the prodigal to return...

"No fair take-backs", I agree solemnly.

After the escapee returns, I nod.

"Well met, young warriors.  Now, I seek brave and capable young warriors for a training mission outside.  Any volunteers who feel up to the challenge, line up here at attention, and state your names..."

:: CU2...  Access visual logs, and locate a suitable image of my missing suitcase.  Also access map data with route from this location to probable Items location.  Prepare this data for holographic projection on my command. ::

OOC: Yes.

They give you different names than the ones you'd heard already.

Charge. Sneak. Allout. Leaper. Runt. Charge is the leader, although Allout is bigger (but slower).

::Prepared::

I nod with satisfaction.

"Today your training with me begins, young warriors.  And to begin our training, we must be united in our vision, and in our goals."

"What do you think are the most important things for a young warrior to learn?"

Charge: Leadership
Sneak: How to kill
Allout: Courage
Leaper: ???????
Runt: Know how to break the enemies' will

I nod with understanding, encouraging each one as they answer.

"And what qualities do your people value most highly in a warrior?"

OOC: Which cub's form did Ring get?  Which cub was in the kitchen?

Strength.

Although a couple argue for fighting skill for a couple seconds.

Leaper. Charge.

"What type of strength?  Strength of body, such has what can be lifted?  Strength of power, such has what can be physically defeated?  Strength of mind, such as what can be strategized?  Strength of coordination, such as what can be accomplished as a team?  Strength of will, such as discipline?  Strength of spirit, such as honor or integrity?  All of these?  None of these?  What do you think?"

Charge and Leaper disagree holding out for Power and Mind, and then proceed to settle things in time-honored fashion.  They hiss and jump on each other, while the others circle them, and cheer on good punches, scratches, and choke holds.

OOC: Is it Charge=Power and Leaper=Mind?  Or is it the other way around?

I allow them to settle their differences before proceeding.

"What of your people?  If we had all of your people gathered together in one big room, would they all agree on the answer?  Or would they have different opinions?"

Yes.

Charge wins.

They think they would agree, and if not, they'd agree after the brawls and the duels were over.

I nod in satisfaction.

"Indeed, strength of power is to be highly valued for a warrior.  Yet the strength of power that can be used to defeat a foe, both physically and otherwise, is a multifaceted strength.  It actually includes all the facets we have mentioned thus far, and more besides.  Mind.  Fighting skill.  Leadership, and how to kill, and courage, and knowing how to break the enemies' will.  Strength of body, and coordination, and will, and spirit."

"Just now, I saw some promising punches, and scratches, and choke holds.  But would a worthy warrior know just one skill, such as only knowing how to punch?  No.  You combine many skills, many techniques, many maneuvers to face a foe, and defeat him."

"And this brings us to today's training mission.  Now, what do you all know of our surrounding neighborhood?  How familiar are you all with it?"

They listen attentively with a keen focus to what you're saying, and you can see that at least Charge and Runt are even thinking over and evaluating what you say.

+@1 to teaching skill mark (its a new mark for a teacher to teach an alien species.)

They don't know that much. They're not allowed out that much. Their father is busy or tired, and you get the hint that with their tendency to scamper off wildly, no one is too eager to let them out in the big city.

:: CU2.  Project holographic image of missing suitcase. ::

"Today's mission is search and retrieve.  Here is the item."

:: CU2.  Project holographic image of local map data. ::

"An hour ago, the item's estimated location was here.  And here is our present location."

"A relatively simple mission, you think?  Well, it is true that it is our first training mission.  But even so, it is not quite so simple as it might seem."

"The exact location of the item is unknown.  And in the last hour, the item may have been found by anyone, and moved.  It could be in some location that is easy to retrieve, or in some location that is difficult to retrieve, or in some location that is impossible to retrieve.  It may be undisturbed, or it may have been found and taken by anyone of any rank or strength of power."

"However, I do have a directional locator to help us find it.  It won't tell us relative distance directly, but it will tell us relative direction.  We can use this information to help us track it down."

:: CU2.  Cease holographic projection. ::

I pause, regarding them with an appraising eye.

"Now... what do you think are the purposes of this training exercise?"

They have a hard time thinking that way. In-depth strategic thought does not seem to be a gift for this species, or it could be that they are just cubs.

But they are eager to go get it.

I nod encouragingly at their eagerness.

"We are almost ready to depart.  But first, we must be united in our vision and our goals."

"To develop strength of power, you must develop a multifaceted strength.  And therefore, your first training mission must include some of the skills that are currently weakest in you, so that they can be strengthened."

"You have the hearts of warriors, and you are eager.  That is good, for it is harder to teach such things.  But you currently lack experience, and strategic thinking, and discipline."

"Now I have managed to obtain permission from your father to undertake this training exercise.  But do you think that we will still have such opportunities if you are not disciplined today?  If you scamper, and scatter, and become separated from me, or cause some trouble that comes to your father's ears, then we may lose such opportunities."

"We must be disciplined.  We must function as a team.  You must follow my directions, promptly and completely.  And if we encounter unexpected difficulties, you must follow my lead, and not take rash action without authorization from me.  That way, if difficulties arise, the blame will be mine, and not yours."

"These are the training mission parameters, young warriors.  Do you each agree to abide by them, completely and wholeheartedly?  Those who are still up to the challenge, signify your agreement by taking one step forward, now."

There's some quick discussion, and then they agree to your terms as you felt certain they would.  They seem to be serious about it as if honoring one's word was an important part of being Kzinti.

You take them out, and lead the way, and bump into someone as you step out on the walkway.  He starts falling away, probably beyond saving off the edge, although his feet still contact the edge, most of his body is over thin air.

You recognize him.  Jar Jar Binks.

"How rude, mesa says."

After they agree, I nod approvingly, and solemnly give each of them a small copper disk (that is, a penny :)

"Welcome to the training mission team, young warriors.  Here is your equipment.  My directional locator is attuned to these objects, just as it is to the suitcase we seek to find and retrieve.  Keep it with you at all times, and guard it well.  Then if unexpected external difficulties arise that separate us, I can use these to help reunite us."

"We should definitely travel light.  However, if there is any other equipment or supplies you deem advisable to bring, please get them now, and we will depart."

OOC: Do they bring anything with them?  If so, what?

And so, I step out on the walkway...

"Please excuse me!  Do you need help?"

OOC: As I have just stepped out onto the walkway, am I still within reach of anything to anchor myself with, such as the doorway?

I brace myself as well as I am able, and extend my oak staff toward the unbalanced being while firmly gripping the other end...

They bring StickyRope (it attaches by contact if moistened to an object), curved knives, a diplomatic badge, a ball, a dozen uncooked meatballs (‘want one, they're good!'), and a shrieker. (‘Papa said if the law was coming for us after we set something on fire we were to throw this and run away.')

"Mesa is needsa muchas helpes."

You grab the doorway, the cubs grab your legs, and you extend the staff, and Jar Jar misses it by just an inch.  He plummets to his doom.

"So sad, you kill goofy alien, boss. Where too now?" Says Charge turning the discussion back to practicalities.

OOC: I'm hoping for more of an opportunity to react as this significant event unfolds, so I'll post accordingly...  :p

Time subjectively slows down as I see him dangling there, for I myself know all too well the horror of teetering on the edge of such an abyss.

Heart in my mouth, I see him just miss my extended staff, and his balance giving way.

:: NO!  PLEASE SAVE HIM, LORD!!! ::

I stretch out my telekinetic senses toward him.  Power that have shaken an orbiting space station.  But here, there is this living blanket of noisy energy in the way...

Strangely calm, I know the LORD is with me to do His will, whatever it may be.  And instead of fighting the living, pulsating blanket of energy, I suddenly and calmly immerse myself in it, feel it, embrace it, and channel it with all my calm focus toward the Gungan as he starts falling backward.  Feeling the energy between us.  Seeking to draw him back from the brink...

OOC: If that doesn't work, let me know, as I may try want something else before he actually falls over the edge and out of sight... :o

You fall into the blanket, and images rush on to you.

A web of energy that unites the planet, and ties each planet to each other planet all across the Galaxy. You feel yourself being pulled into, and incorporated the linkage in yourself.

You see that the web seems unbalanced.

I zoom in my focus upon this planet, upon this building, upon the Gungan as he starts falling backward.  Feeling the energy that ties him to me, to this planet, to this Galaxy.  Feeling it, drawing upon it, using it to lift him against the force of gravity drawing him downward.  Using it to lift him back onto the walkway.

Perhaps this Gungan would simply fall, and with his usual incredible clumsy luck would survive unharmed.  Perhaps the LORD is simply using this as a catalyst to move me to engage this energy blanket.

But there is a life at stake here.  Not just a goofy alien, but a sentient life.  And my actions have put that life at risk.  So I know, as I reach out toward him with a calm and focused peace, that I must save this life... or die trying.

* bump * :)

You plunge toward the planet, and pass by six stars that are nearly in a ‘line that is not a line' until you reach Coruscant, and Something Awful Beyond Words meets you in orbit.

And you fall screaming back into your body.

"Wow, boss, its just a dumb alien. No need to freak out."

"He went splat. Oh well. Let's get on with the mission."

Congrats....Force Use 1@1 with new mark for heading back so 1@2.

MJ and everyone talked about the Force, and his suggestion some time ago was that the Force was a huge negative on psi use to anyone who could not tap into the Force for more power.  In this case Force=Lifeweb.

And....check for another post.

Bump.

:: Dearest LORD, please deliver him, I pray.  And please deliver us from the Evil Presence here... and show me what you would have me do here to serve you faithfully.  Forgive me for my sins, and for my inattentiveness in bumping him off of this ledge.  Thank you that you are in control of all things, to your glory.  I pray in Jesus' Name... Amen. ::

I take a deep breath, and slowly shake my head.

"It was not in fair battle.  It was not for just cause.  A life was taken, without intent... and without honor."

I take another deep breath, and regard my charges.

"The lessons on this training mission begin early, young warriors.  Any coward can slay someone without honor.  Take heed, that your names are always honorable, and your actions always honorable.  Mind well your surroundings, for you know not when and where the battle lines will be drawn up.  Flee from evil, and cling to that which is good."

And I form them up, and lead them off toward the probable location of my missing Items.  As I go, I compare the probable location with the scriff vector to see if my Items seem to be moving...

You get a definite impression of ‘no' in response to at least part of your prayer.

"Sure." Charge agrees.  "He stupid."

They straighten up, and puff out their chests and their fur at this charge to be honorable.

Your items scriff vector seems to have moved, but is not moving.  It did not move much.  The discordant vector has moved greatly.  It is directly below you.

I was afraid of this.  Before making use of the Force, I may have been below the radar of the Sith.  But now I've waved my arms around to get their attention.

But it seems that, for whatever reason, the LORD has allowed these events to come to pass in such a way, to His glory.

:: Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me now, I pray... ::

"Young warriors, I sense danger in the area, and it may be a foe too great for you, or even for me.  If I suddenly give you the command to return to quarters, remember that you must obey immediately, without question or hesitation.  Such discipline is indeed essential to your training."

I quicken my pace as we press onward in the current direction of my Items, while monitoring the discordant vector...

It does occur to you that the Force seemed unbalanced.  And there was a prophecied Balancer of the Force coming.

As you pray, you get a sense of ‘always' and that you're right in the middle of His plan.

You walk along, and suddenly you see Princess Leia, a bit older than you're used to.  She has twins in her arms.  She looks at you, and speaks.

"The future you know may not be born. The Sleeping...." A look of terror on her face, and she's gone as if she'd never been there.

You arrive in front of Lucas' Fine Goods Emporium.  Where your items are displayed with price tags in the window of the shoppe.  It looks like a pawn shoppe, and some of the people standing around don't look too savory.  Your cubs growl, and fluff their hair up and start striding cockily toward the front door.

OOC: Q1: Do the cubs seem to see Leia, or only me?
OOC: Q2: How has the discordant vector responded to my movement, if at all?
OOC: Q3: How much does my stuff cost?

I give thanks silently for the LORD's reassurance, and ponder the vision I see as we walk.

And when we arrive...

"Stand down, young warriors.  First I must do some intelligence gathering."

"The items we wish to retrieve are these..."  I point out my displayed belongings.  "But we may or may not choose to do so today.  You may enter with me, but you must follow my lead.  Understood?"

After briefing them, I enter the shop, and indicate that I am interested in seeing the feather that was in my luggage.  The feather that I received from Kyle the Ariatte, once upon several worlds ago, in the anthropomorphic world of the emerald powered Piper, sailing through the pastel skies.

And when I receive the feather to examine...

:: Ring... Record this form into next available morph memory slot. Was form acquisition successful? ::

Only you. But Runt seems quiet.

It seems to be following along below you.

The cubs sorta stand down, and while the unsavory sorts sneer, they also don't start anything.

You examine the feather, and Ring tells you it acquires the form.

"Fine, fine merchandise. Three thousand credits and not a bit less, or I'd be stealing from my own grublings. You've no idea how much fresh insects cost in the capital, these days."  Says the praying mantis Lucas who looms a good three feet over your head as he pats his ‘hand' on your luggage.

I nod sympathetically.

"I understand... but that's a lot more than I've got.  Ah, well.  How much is this ball (glowball), or this stick (dazzle stick), or this crystal (psionic medication crystal)?"

-=-

After I (peacefully) conclude any (or no) transactions, I thank him, and lead the cubs out of the store.

:: Ring... how far is it from here to the Jedi Temple, and to the Park? ::

"Well done, young warriors.  It was an interesting challenge, keeping discipline in such circumstances.  I am pleased... sufficiently so that I am extending the mission..."

40, `10, 200...

Sneak whispers in your ear after climbing your pants leg and your back..."You can buy a brand new glowball for 25."  You feel somewhat ventilated as you have about a dozen small new holes in your skin from Sneak's claws.

The Ring tells you. Its not very far, but more than a mile.

Outside, you see Jar Jar Binks running up to you, his hand full of some expensive device.

"Mesa thinks ah you dropped this."

"Trouble." Charge whispers, and you hear pistols and knives around you clearing leather as the unsavory four decide they've found the perfect pigeon.

I nod quietly in response to Sneak's report, and decline to make any purchases.

My eyes widen as Jar Jar appears.  But all may not be as it appears, for I prayed for his deliverance... but did I feel the LORD answer "no"?  And I saw Leia, when she wasn't really there.  And I feel the discordant vector following me...

OOC: Which way is the discordant vector now?  Directly below me?  Toward "Jar Jar"?  All/none of the above? :o

But first things first.  After the unsavory four start getting less savory...

:: Ring.  Activate Empathic Field, Sleep Mode, upon those four targets, now! ::

Its an interesting question.  The LORD said no, but to which of your questions?

Toward ‘Jar Jar' the vector disordant is.  Mesa mightsa notsa besa whosa hesa saysa hesa saysa hesa is.

‘Activated'.

Two stumble and fall sleeping.  One steps forward unaffected.  The last suddenly moves faster, roaring with rage.  It seems weapons designed to affect human minds may have different affects on alien minds.

OOC: BTW, how much were my hymnal and psalter selling for?

:: Ring.  Activate Kinetic Repulsion Field, TK Pulse Mode, incapacitating nonlethal force level, upon those two targets, now! ::

100 credits each.

‘Kinetic Repulsion Field...error in processing....'

The two guys go down, and Jar Jar goes sailing off the edge as he was hit by KRF, TK Pulse Mode in some distorted way.

"Mesa not happy. Not again."

OOC: OK, I admit it.  This time I'm laughing... :p
OOC Q1: Where is the discordant vector as "Jar Jar" falls, and after?
OOC Q2: What did the "device" that "Jar Jar" was carrying look like?
OOC Q3: Did he drop it before he fell over the edge, or did he hold onto it?
OOC Q4: BTW, I'm not giving up on my belongings, though I can't retrieve them now.  Hopefully, if I can't get them back in this universe, I'll be able to get them back in the next verse?...

A part of my mind observes with interest that I feel much differently about sending someone over the edge when they are a probable disguised Sith than when they are a supposed innocent bystander...  And that temporarily solves the problem of what to do with that discordant presence.

I look at the cubs.

"My apologies for not leaving any of them for you, young warriors.  I have not yet been able to evaluate your skills, and I did not know if your father would appreciate me doing so with pistol-armed strangers.  If we encounter any hostiles who wish a more honorable unarmed skirmish, I will try to be more considerate."

I look at them with satisfaction.

"As I was saying before, you did well in the shop... and I think it appropriate to extend the mission..."

OOC: Which is closer, the Jedi Temple or the Park?

The discordant vector follows ‘Jar Jar', and then it stops. And then it grows in strength.

He dropped the device.

You should be able to get them in the next verse.

They inform you that they could handle themselves, why Leaper tells you how he chased off a Jedi last week.

Jedi Temple.

And so you hike on over to it.  Its a tall spire at the center of a dozen walkways leading to it from all over the compass.  And at every door are two Clone Troopers, examining lists as they talk to each person who comes for a minute.

I examine the device where it lies, and pray for the LORD's guidance as to whether or not He would have me take it.

:: Ring.  Analyze this device.  Can you discern its function or purpose? ::

-=-

I approach the nearest door and Clone Trooper pair.

"I am John Oakmaster, of the Kzinti Ambassador's household."  I indicate the cubs as I speak.  "I have information that I believe may be of interest to the Jedi Council.  May I please speak with someone in authority?"

::The device appears to take in energy, in terrawatts, and release something. However, it is totally nonfunctional, and usage of it would result in a small explosion.  This nonfunctionality appears to be part of its original design.:

You don't get an answer, which seems to be some sort of answer.

"Yes, sir. Wait here, sir."

Five minutes later, a young man in a grey, and trim uniform approaches.

"I'll take him from here, Trooper," and then he turns to you. "I am Captain O'Reilly. What do you wish to discuss."

"Captain O'Reilly.  I am John Oakmaster, of the Kzinti Ambassador's household."

"I have had several unusual encounters which appear to be Force-related earlier today.  This device is evidence from one of them.  You may wish to secure it as evidence and for possible examination, but the possibility exists that it could be dangerous, so you may wish to take appropriate precautions."

"I am also in possession of information that may be of interest to the Jedi Council.  I would like to deliver it personally to a Jedi Master.  Due to the nature of the information, I would suggest Master Yoda if at all possible."

"I'm sorry sir, all the Jedi Masters are busy today.  Its a very strenous job as you can well imagine.  But if you give me a record of the problem, I'll see that its placed before the relevant people."  He smiles seemingly politely.  "Is this in relation to the two stars shifting to red from blue? If so, Republic Astronomers assure everyone that it is merely a normal part of a star's burn cycle."

And then out of the corner of your eye you see a figure in black. Its Darth Vader.

"If you think I am impatient, wait until you meet my master."

Its almost a line from the movie.

Vision.

Bump.

Even as he pauses in his rejection to smile politely, I begin to immerse myself in the force again.  Feeling the energy around us, and between us.  Reaching gently toward his mind mentally, to give him a gentle nudge toward agreeableness...

"I'm afraid that the information is of sufficient sensitivity and strategic value that I can only deliver it personally to a Jedi Master.  I'm certain that they would want to receive it.  Are you certain there are none currently available, even for a few minutes?"

"Of course, follow me."

He leads you into an awesome lobby whose glistening floor is a map of tens of thousands of stars and whose sky err ceiling shows the planets of the star system your feet are closest too (with each person having his ‘own' ceiling.)

"Captain, you can go on, now."

"Yes, sir."

The Captain leaves.

You hear Anakin Skywalker's voice behind you, the voice of a young adult male, confident in his power, and a bit angry at you.

"You dare meddle with the mind of a Temple Guard."

Snap-hiss....

Something you hear, and not a vision....there is some arguement among Star Wars fans as to whether snap-hiss properly describes the sound of a light saber igniting, or some other words do...but you know good and well what is behind you now...an apprentice Jedi with his saber ignited, and in the ready position.

I turn slowly, and nod gently in acknowledgement.

"I ask your pardon, for need compelled me."

I look him gently in the eye, respectful but unafraid.

"I have cause to believe that I may be pursued by the Sith."

After you  beg pardon, and see that it is indeed the young adult Anakin, you hear a snarl from Charge, down near your kneecap.

"Put that sword away, or we'll come over there and make you eat it, punk."

The others snarl in agreement like miniature buzzsaws.

"Stand down, young warriors.  Have you forgotten your mission training parameters?  Do these words sound familiar?"

"We must be disciplined. We must function as a team. You must follow my directions, promptly and completely. And if we encounter unexpected difficulties, you must follow my lead, and not take rash action without authorization from me."

"Anyone can say they will be honorable, young warriors, until the time of testing comes.  Who now will honorably fulfill their words, and maintain the discipline that any true warrior must have?"

"We are guests here, and our host has just cause for suspicion."

"Anyone can fight for any cause or no cause, but only the true warrior has the honor and discipline to discern friend from foe, and act accordingly.  Those who are the honorable, disciplined, true warriors will stand down now, and show me that it is so."

I gaze upon them solemnly, and nod with approval at those standing down.  Then I turn back to our host.

"I ask your pardon again, for they are young, and have much to learn... as do we all."

Anakin douses his light saber, and slowly puts it up.

"It is I who have wronged these noble Kzinti, and I apologize for that." He gives them a bow.  They fluff up, and assure him they accept his apology.

"It seems I mistook your intentions, perhaps you and your bodyguards would join me in a private audience chamber?"  He gestures, and once you agree, he leads you to a conference room the next level up that overooks the city.  The room is quietly opulent.

Once the door is closed, he speaks.

"I am the padawan learner Anakin Skywalker of the Jedi Order.  You are....?  And what business was so urgent that you must compel a Temple Guard?"

He's a lot more polite, as if he's remembered his manners, but he's stilll got that compulsion on his mind.  And you notice that he never gets closer than ten feet to any of you.  Its done subtly enough that the cublings are probably not aware of it.

OOC: Do I currently sense the Discordant Vector?  If so, in what direction?

"I am John Oakmaster, currently of the Kzinti Ambassador's household, though my presence here is only in my own personal capacity.  These honorable young warriors are the Ambassador's cubs."

"I have had several unusual visions and encounters which appear to be Force-related earlier today. This device is evidence from one of them. You may wish to secure it as evidence and for possible examination, but the possibility exists that it could be dangerous, so you may wish to take appropriate precautions."

"I am able to perceive that the Force is out of balance, and that a powerful Dark presence is here on this planet.  I have been blessed with some unusual sensitivities, which include not only the ability to sense the presence of such Darkness, but its relative direction.  And, after a particularly powerful vision earlier today, I have sensed that Darkness following me.  It is possible that the Sith have taken notice of me, and deem such abilities to be a threat."

"I have gifts, but lack knowledge and training.  Therefore, I have come seeking the protection of the Jedi, and seeking to be trained as a Jedi.  And I have come to share what I have glimpsed with the Jedi Counsel, in the hope that this knowledge may be useful in the conflict with the Sith."

The Discordant Vector is below you, almost directly.

Anakin examines it with his Force senses (hey, he's strong, he knows it, and he's arrogant), and you feel a ripple in the Force, and he's gone.

The room seems to have doubled in size.

You see Darth Vader speaking to the bounty hunter.

"No disintegrations. That's not for us to do."

"Right. No disintegrations."

Its almost like the movie.

Then the bounty hunter turns to you with evident plan to attack.

Second post...

Its like there were two times and spaces in the room. Your half is normal, but Anakin's half is the Future.  And now the bounty hunter is here, and Anakin is gone, and the Future is gone.

:: Ring.  Is what I see and hear a vision, or reality? ::

IF Ring says that it is a vision:

"I am experiencing a vision now.  Do you sense anything?"

IF Ring says that it is reality:

:: Ring. Activate Empathic Field, Sleep Mode, upon that target, now!  If unsuccessful, raise shields immediately!::

:E Field activated. Counter-resonance detected. Shields...up...

A metallic wire, suited for whipping around a target and tying said target up, launched from the bounty hunter's arm. It hit the field, and rebounded so that it wrapped around the bounty hunter's arm.  It does not restrict his movement, but he won't be using that device again until he gets it unfouled.

(GE 6).

The bounty hunter fires from his other hand, and several bolts of fire pulverize the floor under your feet. You're falling.  The Kzinti cubs, being inclined to jump, and jump quickly have scattered back from the hole in the floor.  The bounty hunter seems to be ignoring them as you plummet forty feet to the cafeteria floor below you...

:: Ring.  Maintain shields, and brace for impact.  Access Jedi Temple computer network, and alert them to the intruder's presence, with description and location. ::

:: Dearest LORD, please guide and guard me now, I pray... ::

I reach out to immerse myself in the Force again. Feeling the energy around me, and between me and the floor below.  Seeking to at least slow my descent to a soft landing...

Assuming that I somehow achieve a relatively safe landing, I then reach out through the Force toward the mind of the Bounty Hunter, seeking to confuse his thoughts.

:: Target... neutralized...  Stand... down...  Must... untangle... now...  Collect... body... after... ::

: High level security....encountering difficulty....many backdoors. Access granted as ‘Trusted 4th Level User'.:

You have a flash of INSIGHT. You see into the computer net. The last complete overhaul from ImperialWeb 20.1 to IW 20.2 occurred five hundred years ago.  The security is fairly credible considering that its for a hypertech society, but its riddled with holes and secret passages and backdoors, and a lot of it disagrees with a lot else which makes sense considering that the system is over seven thousand years old.

And you see that the thing you're fighting does not register on the computer screens.  The hole in the floor does, and so does the explosive force, but the system thinks you or something near you generated the hole in the floor. You're currently tagged as ‘Attacking Sith Master. Kill on Sight.'

And then the flood of superintelligence leaves your brain, and you know your prayer was answered.

Less than a tenth of a second later...

You reach into the Force...And tentatively grab onto it, and come jerkily to a crashing landing at about half speed, splitting a table in two with your feet.

Above you, you touch the bounty hunter's mind...but it seems ephemeral.

However Mace Windu, charging you from across the cafeteria, leaping from tabletop to tabletop with Jedi grace, his lightsaber out, as everyone around you flees wildly....he seems very solid, and very large, and very composed as he holds his saber ready to chop you into two pieces.

I immediately and non-threateningly raise my hands in surrender.

"Help me, Master Windu!  I'm pursued by Sith, and a cloaked Bounty Hunter is attacking me!  Anakin Skywalker has just been abducted!  Save the Kzinti Ambassador's cubs!"

I point urgently toward the hole I just fell through, where I last saw the Bounty Hunter...

You see the bounty hunter descend toward you, his backpack flaming.

Mace slows, and brings his saber up into the ready position so that its pointed skyward.  You feel him sensing.

"A great disturbance in the Force centers around you....Sith Lord."

He lunges with a speed you'd have to see to believe, and his saber hits your shield, knocks you back against the wall.

:Shield unstable.: Ring reports.

Mace is coming back for another strike before you can move, and you realize that the movies you've seen have not prepared you for the supreme skill and dreadful speed of a Jedi Master intent on killing. And then the bounty hunter shoots him, and he blocks the attack.

He stops and begins to advance toward you more slowly with his saber in a defensive swirl, his face a mask.

:: Dearest LORD, please open the eyes of the Jedi now, that they would see I am not a servant of the Sith, I pray...  ::

"The disturbance pursues me, and surrounds me, but does not come from me!  The Bounty Hunter is trying to take me alive!  Your computer system does not see the Bounty Hunter, and has mislabeled me!  I seek your protection!"

"I am not attacking.  I am surrendering.  Will you not hear me, and interrogate me, and confirm the truth of what I say?  Or will you slay me now, and later find that you have murdered the innocent without cause?"

"You know what our computer system, a secure, private system, has labelled you as. You betray yourself, Sith."

Flash. Flash. Searing pain.

You're laying on the ground, preparing to verse out.

In the distance, you hear Mace Windu calling for the body disposal crew, and ...

A GREAT HIDEOUS MACHINE ADVANCES ONE TOCK ALONG ITS GEARS.

The horrid wrongness of the machine fills you with loathing, and it does little for your mood to wake upon a morgue table with a medical bot advancing toward you with a spinning buzzsaw  in place of one of its hands. Your stomach is reattached to your legs, and you never versed out.

Awareness comes slowly, as I check for vectors...

:: Dearest LORD, you have placed me here by your sovereign hand, and have assured me that I am in the middle of your plan.  Yet evil stalks me, and enemies of that evil condemn me as of their number, and seek my life to take it away.  And that evil has plans that progress...  ::

:: Thank you that you are in control, and have promised that ‘all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose'.  Thank you that you are sovereign over every facet of this situation, and every situation.  Please guard and guide me now, I pray in Jesus' name... ::

I open my eyes, which widen as I see the medical bot.

:: Ring.  Analysis.  What purpose does this medical bot approach me with? If it is hostile, can you deactivate it, or reprogram it?::

:: Status report.  Summarize events since I was attacked, including time elapsed and current location. ::

If the medical bot keeps advancing and Ring doesn't assure me that it is benevolent, then I will attempt to keep it away from me, first by shield, then by TK (via tech) pulse if the shield doesn't do the job, then by TK (via Force) if the previous two don't do the job...

After you pray, you remember that the Sith are powered by hatred, and passion. Fear and hate are their weapons.

:Autopsy. Dismemberment. Wait two seconds.:

The medical bot advances, raises its arm. Then it powers down.

:I cannot reprogram it. Its a very complicated program past my ability to usefully alter. But its shut off program is straightforward.:

It occurs to you as a computer scientist that your Ring is probably in some ways less ‘smart' than the medbot which is, possibly, if the movie is accurate, an independent AI.

: Eight minutes, forty-nine seconds. You were transported in a body bag to the Jedi Temple morgue. Upon exiting, your formerly two part body was again a one-part body by unknown means. You were casually examined by two Jedi of unknown identity who then ordered an autopsy.:

The Discordant Vector is above you toward your feet, and it seems possibly stronger.

I examine my clothing to see whether or not it is sliced where the lightsaber struck me.

:: Ring.  Change my likeness to Form Two, designated "Jacob Dulane".  Initiate now. ::

:: Continue status report.  What became of the Bounty Hunter after I was struck by the lightsaber?  What became of the Kzinti cubs?  When the two Jedi examined me, was my body in one or two parts? ::

:: Access floor plan of Jedi Temple, and display via telepathic interface.  Identify and display current locations of myself, Master Yoda, Master Windu, the Kzinti cubs, and Anakin Skywalker, if available.  Analyze current vicinity for potential hiding places with minimal risk of detection when accessed from current location, and present recommendations.::

I examine my location, and consider the recommended promising nearby hiding places, so that anyone returning to follow up on the autopsy won't immediately find me.

:: Dearest LORD, please rebuke this evil that stalks me, and cast it away from me, and protect and deliver me from it now, I pray.  And please grant discernment to those I encounter, that they would know I am not a servant of the Sith.  I pray in Jesus' name...  Amen. ::

:Changed.:

:Dissappeared:

:Unknown:

:One piece:

The people you list are displayed except for Master Yoda :Security block:.

OOC: Locations?  And does that mean that Anakin is also present in the Jedi temple again?

When I checked vectors, what other vectors did I get besides the Discordant Vector?  For example, each cub is carrying one of my coins.  What is happening with those vectors? :o

Everyone is inside the Jedi Temple. The Kzinti cubs are together.

The cubs have a vector that agrees with the temple computer.  They are currently not moving.

OOC: Was my clothing sliced where the lightsaber hit me?  Was I able to identify a suitable nearby hiding place?

:: Ring.  Is there any means of monitoring what is happening at the locations where these people are?  Are there security camera feeds, intercom systems or other means of audio access, etc., that you can tap into with minimal risk?  If so, initiate monitoring, and summarize. ::

If there is a suitable nearby hiding place that can be accessed with low risk, then I try to move there.  However, if the area is monitored by security cameras or etc, then I externally play dead a while longer until I figure out my next course of action...

Yes and yes. However your clothing is now repaired.

:No. There are no internal surveillance systems available anywhere within the local net. In fact, teh system seems to be wired to make this difficult.  There are intercom systems, but unless the user activates them it is impossible to remote activate them.:

This sounds like a cultural taboo of great power.

There are lots and lots of hiding spaces. The Star Wars universe is an old place, with thousands of years of back history, and this breeds all sorts of little nooks and crannies of forgotten usage....also, when one alien race builds something, and then another rebuilds it, and then a third uses it....you find more nooks.  Its not remotely like being on the Enterprise which except for cargo holds and engine rooms has little purely physical place to hide (and even those are poor).

There are no security cameras.

OOC: Where exactly are these people located?  Are they together or apart?  Are they in a conference room, or a cafeteria, or a holding cell, or etc.?

I move to the best nearby hiding place, and hunker down.

:: Ring.  Are there hidden passageways that can be used to get from my current location to the cubs?  Or to Anakin? ::

:: If needed, do you have the capability to send a detachment of nanites to provide a remote sensing capability?  Or a remote communication capability? ::

They are separated. Anakin is where you last saw him.  The location of Mace Windu is a conference room.  The Kzinti cubs are in the Children's Reception Area (Open Use).

Cubs. Yes. Anakin. No.

No.

:In Kitchen Number Two. Partially able to comply.:

It shows you a route that will get you about one-third of the way there. But then it flashes as it notes another route that will get you all the way there.  All you have to do is turn right, go fifty feet, open the window, and climb on the exterior ladder network for two hundred feet alongside the outside of the Jedi Temple along a curving surface with an angle of 45 to 65 degrees about a quarter mile above the surface of Coruscant. Then you can reach a balcony, and from there, reach the kitchen and its openable windows.

:: Dearest LORD, please bless my efforts and interactions now, and protect me from evil, I pray...  ::

I reach out to immerse myself in the Force again. Feeling the energy around me, and between me and Kitchen Number Two, and between me and Master Obi Wan Kenobi.  For though I have not yet met him in this universe, I have previously met him, and previously trained with him, and previously made telepathic contact with him, back in the Dreamworld...

:: Master Kenobi.  Can you hear me?  Please... help me...  ::

You touch Master Kenobi's mind. Its most difficult, as if the noise of the blanket rises higher.

His eyes widen, and you can see the food he was making himself. He drops it, and then recatches it with those phenomenal Jedi reflexes.

For the first quarter second he is receptive but then walls come crashing down and you can feel him trying to find you even as he says coldly....Sith Lord, you shouldn't have come here. You will not tempt me away from the pure Force.

I will come.

He tells you.

What do you do while he does?

I give him the morgue as our meeting location, and move back to the morgue.

:: Ring.  Revert to original likeness, designated form "John Oakmaster".  Initiate now. ::

And...  I pray.

:: Dearest LORD, please deliver me from evil, and bless my interactions with the Jedi now, and guard and guide me, I pray... ::

And... I ponder.

: For it seems that they all immediately assume that I am Sith... and I am able to sense the Discordant Vector in a similar manner as my scriff sense... and the Discordant Vector has been attracted to me for some reason...  Could it be that scriff itself acts as an indicator of the Dark Side?  And either way, how do I convince the Jedi that I am not?  How should I proceed? :

And as I ponder these things, I seek insight from the remnant shards of my past superintelligence...

You go to the morgue and revert back to original form.

Insight flashes through you.

You have Force powers. You're in the Jedi Temple without permission. Obviously you must be Sith and most likely an assasin sent to kill some Jedi.

Also, when Anakin used his own Force powers on the Discordant Vector's device, it seemed to rip a hole in time. Key word ‘seemed'. A dozen concepts flash through your mind: time loops, sawtooth snap. You're not seeing the Future, somehow the Force is trying to communicate to you in images you will understand.  But the DV's device changes the Force as well.

And suddenly you know what the DV will do. He's going to stalk and kill Obi-wan, so that you will be blamed.

You stagger as the burden of demigodhood leaves you confused and drained and merely a ‘normal' mortal once again.

I pray fervently for the LORD to deliver us from this evil presence and this evil plan, and to bless my interactions and their reactions, that I may be believed in spite of their suspicions and the evil workings of the Discordant Vector.

And... I wait...

:Aaghgh.:  You hear Master Kenobi's voice in your mind as he is struck down by ‘Jar Jar Binks', his trusted friend.

Shortly thereafter, the door to the morgue open with a crash, and you see what the cubs are trying to become. The Kzinti Ambassador ready for war.  His talons are out, his fur is fluffed, and his fangs are ready. He looks like he's fifteen feet tall and a tornado, but you realize he has to be less than eight feet tall to fit th rough the doorway, and he's only a ‘man'.

"My cubs tell me that the Jedi have attacked you. They tell me you are a good man. I believe them."

You see his cubs behind his feet.

OOC: I didn't know that I still had a telepathic connection to Kenobi.  If I had known, I would have warned him immediately.  Would that have made a difference?  Either way, I would *really* appreciate having that action being inserted back there... :o

"Thank you, Ambassador.  And thank you, young warriors."

I give the Ambassador and the cubs a respectful nod of gratitude as I check for vectors...

"The Jedi attacked me... but they are not to blame.  There is a powerful evil entity present here, using us as pawns.  When I sensed it, I came to them for help.  But when they sensed it, they thought that I was Sith, and attacked."

"I must make them understand that I am not Sith, and that we are not their enemies.  But I am concerned that I have inadvertently brought this evil to this place, and that they will blame me for it.  And there is a strange device that I brought with me as evidence, that I now am concerned may be somehow aiding the Sith.  The Jedi must be warned, and the device must somehow be removed from this place."

"Do you advise that we attempt to talk with them here?  Or should we retrieve the device ourselves, and then depart?  Or should we leave this place now, and attempt to talk and to warn them from elsewhere, such as from your residence?"

:Kenobi, your ‘friend' Jar Jar Binks, is not himself. He may not even be Jar Jar Binks. Be cautious. I fear he comes to attack you.:

Reply :Feeling of Incredulity:

Shortly thereafter. You see a flash of Kenobi being cautious, and backing up. Then Binks puts down his weapon and reaches out with an open hand....

:AAAGGGh. You were right. As soon as he touched me, I fell under his strange powers.:

There is no further reply when you attempt to contact Kenobi.

Kzinti aren't big on relying on others outside the pack, and while you think he would be happy to stay and find the device, he looks at his cubs.

"We leave."

He punches a few buttons on a handheld com, and then tosses a small object at the window.  The window explodes outwards sending wild winds through the room.

"Tie on." He tells his cubs who begin to tie themselves to his clothes.  He throws a sticky glob end of a black rubbery band on the floor. It sticks.

"My airspeeder is five hundred feet below. It won't be detected for a bit, but I can't get it closer." He tosses you a small, very sharp knife. He jumps out the window with an exhilarated roar. Fifteen seconds later, the other end of the bungee cord flops into the room.

:45 seconds.:

I consider rapidly as I wait for the bungee cord to return.  It would certainly feel safer to be an Ariatte when jumping out a window a quarter of a mile above the planet's surface.  But if the Ambassador sees me in that form, he may attack first and ask questions later.  So I decide to remain as I am, with a distinct lump in my throat.

:: Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me now, I pray... ::

So by the time the other end of the bungee cord arrives, and I carefully secure it around myself, I am as ready as I am ever going to be.

:: Ring.  Can you maintain access to the Jedi Temple computer system remotely? ::

And with a final prayer, I jump...

:Possibly. I will retain the ability to link later with ease.:

You plunge. Your stomach hurts. Your eyes tear. The ground is huge and flat, and aaaaaaahhhhhhhh.....

Screaming you pass the airspeeder, and suddenly you're dead certain you're dead.

Snap.

You're flying back up.

The Kzinti Ambassador and cubs are making weird handsigns.  You go up nearly half the distance back to the window.

Down again.

They're moving the airspeeder to get it under you....maybe. You've got a lot of velocity still.

OOC: Rather than screaming, I am grinding my teeth together, with my breathing hissing between my teeth.  The breathing is a deep breath in, and a slow hiss out, like I do those few times when I am forced to ride on a roller coaster.  And besides that, screaming isn't warrior-like... :o

:: DEAREST... LORD...  PLEASE... HELP... ME!!!... ::

My mind is too full of terror during my first descent, but the terror recedes as I ascend, and my mind starts to clear.

Deep breath in, slow breath out.

Tightly gripping the small sharp knife, I reach out to immerse myself in the Force again as my ascent nears the apex, and then starts to descend.  Feeling the energy around me, and between me and the planet below. Seeking to at least slow my descent to a soft landing before I get to the altitude of the speeder awaiting me...

You grasp the Force, and start to slow.  The speeder jockeys under you, and praying you slash the line.

The movement gives you a spin, and you're on your back rather than coming down on your feet.

You lose contact with the Force, and hit the back padded bench hard enough to drive all the wind from your lungs.

And you bounce.

Things get blurry for a second.

Your jacket is hanging by two Kzinti talons, and you're mostly in it, and the Ambassador is hanging on to the edge of the speeder by his outstretched right arm and leg.  His left arm, at full extension has your jacket.

"Um, what should I do?" Says one of the cubs.

Oh, yeah, the Jedi Temple fires a laser blast near the speeder.

Your back feels like its on fire.

:: DEAREST... LORD... PLEASE... HELP... ME... NOW... I... PRAY... ::

Deep breath in, slow breath out.

Using the pain to help myself focus, I reach out to immerse myself in the Force again. Feeling the energy around me, and between me and the planet below. Seeking to lift myself gently into the speeder...

You flip up into the air, and settle down into the airspeeder. You felt the Lord calming your mind through the pain and terror. The Kzinti Ambassasor throws himself into the speeder, and roars.

"Dive, cub, dive."

The speeder dives in an eighty degree plunge (near vertical.)  You're about a foot above the back bench, and the cub is screaming a Kzinti war cry  that sounds like a very happy tin can getting shredded by a garbage disposal unit.

"Faster." Shouts one cub.  The others agree, and the engine surges and starts to whine as Coruscant surface rapidly becomes more detailed.  Now you're about a foot and a half above the back bench.

A bolt of energy passes overhead, and you look back. Hmmm. That seems to be Anakin Skywalker on a speeder diving after you with some one or perhaps two other speeders coming.  Considering how absolutely insane he was in a speeder in the movie, this may be a problem.

:: Thank you, dearest LORD.  Please guard and guide us now, and bless our interactions, I pray... ::

I grab onto whatever I can to secure myself within the speeder.

:: Ring.  Initiate "Heal" functionality on me now.  Estimate time to completion. ::

:: Do you still have access to the Jedi Temple computer system?  If needed, could you open a communication channel to the pursuing speeders? If needed, could you find any backdoors to their speeder's computer systems? ::

I stretch out my senses, seeking vectors.

Then I call out to the Ambassador.

"Any protection through diplomatic immunity?"

Bolstered, you press on.

You reach down, and cling to a compartment handle  off to your right. Its awkward, and you've not got that great a grip as there's not enough space for a full hand grip, but just a few fingers.

:One minute.:

:Comm link could be available. Possible backdoor. Link deteriorating.:

The rest of the reply fuzzes out as a bolt of crimson fire passes between you and the Ambassador who is now standing up.  His hair is completely straight all over his body.

"Nothing like a good electron burst to unkink your hair." He howls over the wind roar.

You feel a vector below, and rising, and to your left.  You pass a walkway, one of the highest, and see Jar Jar Binks standing on it, with his mouth gaping open in utter shock.

"That would shame my star nation. No we ....can't hear because of the wind.....fighting."

Thwhoom.

Your speeder car is hit, and it flips on its side. Unfortunately, your hand grip is not enough. You may have broken your index finger, but right now, you're dropping in a near straight fall, and the smoking speeder is on its side heading downward at a now forty five degree angle.  Already, you are forty feet from it, and thats a mere half second later.

:: Ring.  Shields up.  Brace for impact. ::

:: Dearest LORD, please help me now, and the Ambassador's family... ::

I reach out to immerse myself in the Force again. Feeling the energy around me, and between me and the planet below. Seeking to slow my descent to a gentle controlled landing...

:Likely will not survive terminal velocity fall.: The Ring informs you as it puts up the shields.  You're still over a fourth of a mile above the surface, and rapidly gaining speed, as you drop feet first.

You connect up to the Force, and slow yourself.

In the distance, you see Anakin pursuing the speeder. The speeder, despite smoke, suddenly dives inverted. No one falls out. Those couches were made for Kzinti claws, not human fingers.  Anakin fires again, and the Ambassador fires back forcing Anakin to swerve off course.

You slow to a near crawl. It feels wonderful to hang there in space.

And then you see a young female on a small bikelike speeder. Her tendrils sway back from her hairless head.  She looks at you awed.  And as she swoops around you can see her clear calculation in her face.

She's not a full knight. You're obviously a Sith Lord of phenomenal power to fly. Duty calls. She guns her bike, spins it about, and ignites her saber as she comes in for a charge.  She looks like she might try a slashing run by attack or a lance like piercing attack from the way she holds her blazing green saber in her left hand.

And you suddenly realize why no Jedi Knight or Sith Lord in the movies did what you're doing now. You can feel resonance from the Force building up, exponentially, the longer you use the Force continuously with no let up.

OOC: Argh!  I just remembered (see "Oak's Oversight", msg #126) that the Ring has levitation and flight capabilities!  Sigh... ::

I suddenly remember that this Ring has levitation and flight capabilities, but I don't waste time smacking myself in the forehead right just now...

:: Ring.  Activate flight capability, and move toward the nearest walkway. ::

I immediately cease my Force-powered telekinetic flight.

:: Ring.  Try to gain backdoor access to approaching vehicle's computer system, and bring it to a motionless hover. ::

:: If not successful, take evasive maneuvers as attacking vehicle approaches.  Use Continuous Kinetic Repulsion Field at maximum range to gently repel us away from each other. ::

:: Open communication channel to approaching vehicle. ::

"Please wait!  I don't want to hurt you!  I'm not the attacker!  I'm not Sith, but it is near, and dangerous!  Please get help!"

:Agreed.: You begin to fly slowly over to the nearest walkway, the one w/ Binks on it.

As you halt, you feel as if you were vibrating like a tuning fork.

:Processing...:

The Ring cuts power, and drops you as a crude evasive maneuver. But its not counting on Jedi reflexes. The alien girl matches you move for move, and when the field comes up, she brandishes her saber.

:Field down.:

She might not even hear you, so deep is she in her combat trance.  But in any case, you're EVIL, and hence not to be trusted one tiny bit.

You FEEL A GREAT MACHINE ADVANCE ONE HALF A TOCK FORWARD....

You wake up, sloshing about, back and forth, in the back of the Kzinti ambassador's speeder, with skyscrapers fifty and sixty stories above you.  You're also dodging traffic, and you see Anakin coming in for another attack. His speeder looks somewhat damaged.

"What is the Great Machine?" Runt says from on your chest. "Oh, the human is alive again. I didn't know humans could do that." He announces to the rest of the cubs and the driver, the Ambassador.

:: Ring.  Try to find a backdoor to the pursuing speeder's computer systems, and command it to stop, and to hover in place. ::

:: Status report.  How much time has passed since the female attacker struck me with the lightsaber?  What has occurred since then? ::

I look up at Runt.

"You perceive much, young warrior.  What have you seen?  And what has happened since we were last separated?"

:Processing. Anakin Skywalker's speeder is specially modified. Processing.:

:71 seconds.:

"That's because I'm the Runt."

"He's a telepath." Sneak explains from next to your right ear. "They're always scrawny."

"I saw a giant machine moving stars."

You and he look up at the same time, and you're in his head. You see several red stars in the sky, in a line. They weren't red last month.

The stars go right, he thinks.

And then you see yourself falling, chopped in two, and the Ambassador catching your body in the back of the speeder. Anakin and one other still pursuing.

:Pursuer shut down.:

Anakin's speeder bike goes to hover.  Sadly, that doesn't stop him. He does a Force assisted superleap in your direction. You're not sure if he's going to make it or not.

When our eyes meet and we make telepathic contact, I smile, and nod respectfully.

:: Well met, young warrior.  I am honored to share thoughts with you.  What do you mean, "the stars go right"? ::

And when Ring reports that Anakin's speeder has been stopped and he jumps...

:: Ring.  Kinetic Repulsion Field pulse, non-lethal force, at approaching attacker, now! ::

I reach out to immerse myself in the Force again. Feeling the energy around me, and between me and Anakin.  Seeking to telekinetically thrust him back toward his speeder...

::I do not know. But...:: He hisses with all his hair up. ::I hate it. I will kill the One Who Comes, and the Opener of the Ways.::

He blinks puzzled, but his hair is all fluffed up, and his kittenish talons are all the way out, about half an inch

The Ring hits him, and slows him. You reach out, and suddenly Anakin plunges with unnatural speed. Before you can rise to your feet...

"He's on a speeder beneath us." Sneak howls from the side of the speeder,  her back claws firmly dug into the speeder seat cushions.

THUMP.

You're pretty sure Anakin is hanging on the underside of your speeder right now.  The Ambassador has nosed the speeder over..

I check for vectors, and pray for help.

Then I reach out to immerse myself in the Force again. Feeling the energy around me, and between me and Anakin. Seeking to make telepathic contact.

:: Anakin Skywalker.  I am not Sith, though I am pursued by Sith.  I have sought out the Jedi to seek help, and to bring information.  I have not attacked, even when I have been attacked.  Can we not talk peacefully? ::

::You wished to talk before you led me into trying your device, and then attacking the other Jedi.::

His mental voice is aggrieved and aggressive.

And then ::Well.::

You realize that the Ambassador is diving alongside a skyscraper with the intent to scrape Anakin off.

Vectors where?  IF the DV isn't in immediate proximity: :: Use your senses.  Do you sense Sith here now? ::

-=-

:: The device isn't mine, but I brought the device as evidence of the Sith that was pursuing me.  I warned that the device was possibly dangerous, and that appropriate precautions should be taken.  I did not attack the other Jedi, even when they attacked me.  It was the same Sith that has been pursuing me that has been attacking.  Obi Wan Kenobi heard my telepathic warning, and acknowledged that it was true.  I do not wish to harm you, or any of the Jedi.  I am willing to be examined to verify the truthfulness of these statements, and to verify my innocence. Is it truly the Jedi way to slay someone attempting to surrender? ::

DV is above you, and wobbling.  You look up and see a speeder diving straight at you, but its at least four hundred yards away.

::Hmmm.:: You can tell he's remembering that its more his fault the device went off than yours. This is somethign he had forgotten from his natural disinclination to fault himself. ::Obi Wan? Mmmm.:: You can tell that name carries a lot of weight with him.

And then...

::Tricky.:: You hear a mental grunt, and feel a flux in the Force.

Anakin leaps off onto a balcony in lieu of the Ambassador scraping him off the bottom of the speeder against the wall of a skyscraper.

::Almost had me believing you, Sith.:: Anakin says as the speeder plummets away, and the Kzinti all roar in triumph at losing their foe.

When I see the DV diving toward us...

:: Beware...  The Sith is approaching, probably to attack... ::

And after he jumps...

:: I speak truth, Anakin.  I will contact you all soon, and tell you what I know of the Sith that attacks us, and prove my innocence. ::

I check for vectors again as I listen for his reply (and possibly respond to it).  And after...

"What now, Ambassador?"

After I hear his reply (and possibly respond to it), I turn to Runt.

:: What was it you perceived just now, young warrior? ::

::Feeling of disgust and desire for vengeance::  Yes, Anakin has a temper. Its one of his issues which eventually leads to him becoming Darth Vader.

The Ambassador laughs when he sees Binks pursuing.

"Claws in." He tells everyone, and then he takes a few swoops and dives upside down around a couple skyscrapers.  This loses Jar Jar for now, although you can't truly lose someone who can scriff sense you.

"The Honorable Senator is no Jedi.  Even a Kzinti cub could outfly him."  The Ambassador says.  "Now, hmm, the Embassy."

Runt replies.

::That Jedi is most angry, almost like a Kzinti. He's going to try to get you.  But why do you call Binks a Sith?::

"That pursuer is not the Honorable Senator, but a Sith imposter.  It can sense me, as I do it, and can track us through me.  I believe that it has identified me as a threat, and seeks to isolate me.  It has attacked the Jedi while successfully causing me to be blamed for it, so the Jedi may pursue me as well.  We must be cautious."

"From my heart, I thank you all for your rescue, and am sorry to have brought these troubles upon you..."

The Kzinti Ambassador laughs.

"We Kzinti hate the Jedi and the Human Empire.  Once long ago, before the Humans, we ruled our own small empire, as did many other races.  The Humans were one of the smaller and less important races to have an empire.  Only a few thousand stars held their banner.  And we had ten thousand stars.  Now we have barely a dozen where Kzinti laws rule, and even those live in the Human Empire as our overlords.

So, we thank you.  A beautiful day it is when I get to scorch a Jedi's nose hairs."

He flies the speeder to the Kzinti embassy, and debarks.  There he speaks to his superior and begs asylum for you.

As I wait, I query Runt again.

:: I asked you about what "the stars go right" means... and I heard "I hate it. I will kill the One Who Comes, and the Opener of the Ways."  Do you remember this?  Do you know what it means?  Do you know who said it? ::

And after, I ponder and pray.

:: Dearest LORD... The DV seeks to alienate me from the Jedi at every turn, not without success.  And if I were the DV, I'd probably use the same strategy.  The Jedi and I are significant foes, and would be a bigger threat united against it, rather than at odds with one another.  So how can I successfully thwart the DV's strategy, and successfully convince the Jedi that I am friend rather than foe? ::

:: And what of all these tantalizing puzzle pieces I have glimpsed?  What of the various visions,  and the Sleeping, and the One Who Comes, and the Opener of the Ways?  What of the six stars that are nearly in a ‘line that is not a line', and of several red stars in a line, and of stars shifting from blue to red, and of stars that go right?  What of the Great Machine moving stars, and of the Great Machine advancing a tock when the Jedi slay me, and of my reviving in one piece in this universe after being sliced in two?  If stars are being moved, then they are now redshifting away from here, but weren't last month... but then how do they go right?  What all is really happening here, and what must I do here to best serve you? ::

:: Dearest LORD, please guide and guard me now, I pray... ::

As I ponder and pray over all these things, I also focus, and mentally reach toward my remaining shards of super-intelligent insight...

And after...

:: Ring.  Can you still access the Jedi Temple?  Can you glean any information about what has passed there since my arrival there?  What is the current status of Obi Wan Kenobi?  Where is Yoda?  Is there any way to communicate with him?  Are plans being made to pursue me? ::

::I don't know what ‘stars go right' means except it makes my hair stand on end, and I want to kill something.  Oh, that other bits from a bedtime story, the Tale of the Suncat and the Great Beast. Its from his Oath of Battle he made before his court.  Did I say that?::

As you pray, you suddenly feel a tap on your nose.

"Wake up, human." Its a very old Yoda with a small stick in his hand like he was on Dagobah.  "Seeing without eyes is difficult. The future, always moving it is. And what you see may be the past, or other places, or the future. The Great Machine is one. The line of stars is now and the future."  He pauses and coughs. "The Force needs your help, human. It is being twisted."

And then you see Obi-wan, teh older version.  "Going right? A great deal of things depend on your point of view as to what is right or wrong."

You strive for insight, and then you feel yourself jerked to your feet by a Kzinti taller than the Ambassador.

"Speaker to Animals bids us keep you, human animal. I say we toss you off the side of the embassy wall."

Meanwhile the Ring is working on what you asked of it.

::Yes, I still have access.  Obi Wan Kenobi is in the healing liquid tanks for the next week. Yoda's location is still password protected. Uncertain. Uncertain.::

:: Please tell me of the Tale of the Suncat and the Great Beast... ::

And after...

:: Ring... Record this form into next available morph memory slot, replacing form "Leaper" if necessary... Was form acquisition successful? ::

I blink, and regard the Kzinti calmly, and speak respectfully.

"If you keep me, you thwart the Jedi.  If you toss me, you do the Jedi's work for them.  Which is more honorable to you?"

::Father knows it better than me. The Suncat was our Great Pack at the time of the Rise of the Humans, and there was a monster in the stars that we had to destroy.  And it nearly destroyed us, but we got it first.::

::Form acquisition successful.::

"How dare you judge the honor of a Kzinti? Why..."

"For a human it is honorable. It makes no great roar, but it stands without shaking." Another Kzinti obseves. This one has two swords on his back, plus a half-dozen energy pistols strewn on his person.

"Yes, lord." The first Kzinti bows,a nd the Ambassador goes to his knees.

"So human, our lowest rank, the Ambassador dares speak up for you.  He claims battle honors against the Jedi,  and that you are a worthy warrior. Show me."

He pulls off one of his four foot long curved blades and tosses it sheath and all to you.  He's only two feet and three hundred pounds bigger than you.  He draws his other sword with practised ease and a fang filled smile.

:: Ring.  Raise shields now.  Increase elevation by one hundred feet now. ::

I bow my head respectfully as I rise.

"Some warriors are worthy by virtue of their battle prowess in close quarters.  Others may lack such superior physical gifts, but may still be a worthy warrior of value to the pack by virtue of other gifts, such as ranged prowess, or strategic prowess, or knowledge.   Is it not so, Honorable Kzinti Lord?"

I check for vectors...

"But the fang is the basis for all warriors." The lord replies as you float beyond his reach.  He has made no move to attack you.

You note a DV off in the distance sort-of toward the Jedi Temple.

A large spaceship swerves off course, trying to cut others off, so that it won't have to wait in line so long.  Its shaped like an Airstream trailer, but its about two hundred feet long, obviously some sort of freighter.

You see the bulge-eyed lizardoid staring in frantic horror at you as you rise to intercept his course.  He's going to smack into you like you're  a bug.

You just barely start to dive...Splat!

A GREAT MACHINE....

You wake up with the Kzinti warriors looking down at you with great concern.

Beyond them you can see another red star in the sky.

When I see that I have no hope of evading the spaceship in time, I look at the Kzinti Lord... and smile.

-=-

:: Ring.  Time elapsed since impact?  Summarize events since then. ::

I look up at them.

"I am new to Kzinti culture, and confess that there is much I do not know, Honorable Kzinti."

I rise with deliberation.

"When you say ‘the fang is the basis for all warriors', I am uncertain of your meaning."

I deliberately pick up the curved sword, and unsheathe it.

"But I do know that worthy warriors must have be able to face death with courage."

I respectfully bow to the Kzinti Lord... and smile.

::1 minute, 10 seconds. You hit, were dismembered. Fell, and your body parts were brought together by the Kzinti at their lord's command.  They then began to plan ways of disposing of your body discreetly.  One warrior suggested since you were brave, they might eat you.  This was under discussion when it was noted that you were coming together. After which they watch in silence and concern.::

"A valid point." The Kzinti lord acknowledges.

"A Kzinti wise man, or other specialist, must first learn the Way of the Fang before he may learn other ways." He instructs you. After a second, you realize you're supposed to nod or otherwise acknowledge him.  Otherwise you're considered to be challenging his point, and things get...energetic.

The lord bows back deeper, and sheathes his sword.

"Wise one." He proclaims and there is a bit of a stir in the crowd. "This is to say, you are accorded the honor of a warrior, and the honor of the wise amongst the Kzinti, and any who gainsay this may be faced by me at my choice with a fang."

He glares about, and no one looks him in the eyes.  Its an obvious dominance-submission gesture.

I nod immediately as I am instructed.

After his proclamation, I bow deeply.

"You honor me above measure, Honorable Kzinti Lord.  From my heart, I thank you."

"Now let us repair to an inner chamber."

They offer you the choice of sitting with them, or waiting outside.

"Some humans find Kzinti eating customs, the eating of raw flesh with our talons, to be bothersome." The Kzinti Ambassador explains.

"I would be honored to sit with you."

Assuming that I am seated next to the Ambassador, and able to converse discreetly with him...

"I am new to Kzinti culture and customs, Honorable Ambassador.  What are the ramifications of what has passed since our arrival here?  And could you please explain more fully what is the way of the Fang?"

"You are now accounted one of us, and so we will not be turning you over to the Jedi or the Sith. I risked status by defending you, but now I have gained status. Still, I will continue my job as Speaker To Animals until another comes to replace me."

He rips off a couple ribs from a dead animal on the plate in front of him,and chews on the bones a bit.  Its not cooked at all.

"The Fang,or the Sword, is the basis of all Kzinti life. We must be ready at all times to fight for who knows when the Great Enemy may come?  A Kzinti male who cannot fight is accounted for little more worth than a female."

"You have honored me above measure with the risks you have taken on my behalf.  You not only entrusted your cubs to me, but you defended me against the Jedi, and you defended me before your people.  From my heart, I thank you."

"I have some knowledge of the Sword, but I still have much to learn.  How do you counsel me to proceed?  What is my role to be as a member of the pack?  And who or what is the Great Enemy?"

He chuckles.

"I could not find anyone willing to take care of them so I was most glad to have you. My cubs, they thought well of you, and so I judged you worthy, and as I said, any day I can scorch the Jedi's nose hairs is a good day."

He shrugged.

"I do not know. As to the Great Enemy, some question whether he was Myth. Some say He or It was God. Some say He was Madness Incarnate.  He was before the Empire, and it is said that when the stars were in their proper places It would return, and bring back The Old Terrors, the Gods of Darkest Space. It is said that the Suncat, our greatest warrior...." And here he whispers "And while not a popular interpretation, I feel he was a telepath and a Force user of great skill. Few here are they who would spend the effort I spend on Runt."  He speaks louder now. "Killed, or caused the Many-Armed Thing, the Great Enemy to die, to be cast into a deep sleep in the depths of the planetary ocean of Ryleh."

I nod, and whisper back.

"I believe you do well with Runt.  He perceives much, and knowledge is power."

I speak slightly louder, but still quietly.

"I have perceived glimpses of strangeness today.  I have heard of things I do not understand, such as the Sleeping, and the One Who Comes, and the Opener of the Ways.  I have seen six stars that are nearly in a ‘line that is not a line', and several red stars in a line, and stars shifting from blue to red, and stars that go right. I have glimpsed a Great Machine moving stars, and advancing a tock when I am slain.  And I have been slain multiple times today, only to revive in one piece."

"Do you know anything of these matters?  And could you tell me more of the Tale of the Suncat and the Great Beast?"

....the Great Beast is said to be Sleeping....

...And to come back...so he could be the One Who Comes...

...those stars almost lead back to the Kzinti capital planet...

...some versions of the ancient tale say that the Suncat could not die before he finished his quest...

I take this information in thoughtfully.

"What is the role of a wise one within the pack?"

"If the Fang is the basis of all Kzinti life, do I need to start training with it now?  I know something of battle, and something of swords, but I am untrained with the curved Fang..."

And speaking more softly...

"The Kzinti value the way of the Fang highly, and value other strategically worthy things less, such as telepathy or the ways of the Force.  Yet the Kzinti have lost most of their empire of ten thousand stars.  Do any within the pack consider that the Fang alone may not be enough to defend themselves against their enemies?"

"The wise one provides counsel, and helps the pack avoid traps. The wise one is not such as can be counselled too much, for what is the good of the unwise to tell the wise what to do?" Speaker to Animals replies.

"Yes, there are some on my home world, Great Fortress. One of my teachers, very wise, taught such, but most discreetly."

"Do you know how I am to serve?  Will I continue on as your caretaker in your home?  Will I serve here in the embassy?  Will I serve on your home world?"

"Now that I am a wise one of this pack, I must learn more of Kzinti culture and history, so that my counsel may be as informed as possible.  How may I gain access to relevant Kzinti databases that will help me learn more about the Kzinti?"

OOC: I'm still waiting for his feedback about my previous Fang training query as well... ;)

"No, I do not. Why should I? You are a free being. But I would be glad for you to continue as a caretaker."

He points out, after you remind him, a much scarred, and tattered ear Kzinti.

"Singer of Swords. He has much unconventional ways, but still, he is very good with the Fang. Approach him."

"Hmmmm." He takes his leave with you, a bit regrettfully as he seemed to be looking forward to sitting around and cracking the bones for their marrow.  He takes you to a children's area, and searches in several areas inside it until he comes back with some very sturdy books.

"The youngest children do not fully control their temper. We do not give them devices too easily broken."

You now have the equivalent of K-5th grade Kzinti History/Culture books.  Each book is metal plated, and claw scarred.

"I shot first." You hear Han Solo say in the dimly lit, and not currently inhabited except by you and StA.  He's looking directly at you. StA seems not to see him.

I encourage him to wait and finish cracking the bones first.  I definitely don't want to take him away from his meal prematurely.

Once we do go, I take the books gratefully.

"Thank you very much.  Are there also computer databases that I can access for information?  There are questions I will want to research that probably won't be contained within these books, such as any and all obscure details about the Suncat and the Great Beast..."

When I see Han Solo, I immediately check for vectors.  If he doesn't seem to be a manifestation of the DV, then I attempt to stretch out my telepathic senses toward him...

It takes another hour of idle conversation, and war stories, and loud jokes at each other's expense before the bones are mostly clean.

The books are heavy.

"Somewhere, yes. But I'm not sure..."

You feel a vector coming in from your front right toward you.

You touch Han Solo's mind, and you're instantly above the galaxy, seeing the lifeweb run from planet to planet.  And then you see something like a cancer growing in one section as the balance of Love and Hate is replaced by Madness.  You realize the Force is trying to communicate, but it doesn't communicate that well with normal sentients.

And then you feel your Insight yanked open. And you know who comes...the Opener of the Way, He Who Lets in the Madness, ...Jar Jar Binks or so he looks.

OOC: How many pages are the heavy metal plated K-5th books?  If possible, I'd like to simply look at each page for a second with my eyes and with Ring and CU2, and record their contents that way instead of lugging them around...

BTW, which section of the galaxy is the cancer growing in?

While my Insight is open, I focus upon the problem at hand.  "What does the Force want me to do?  How can I defeat the Discordant Vector?"  I pray for wisdom, and seize upon my activated super-intelligent shards to try to gain some insight into these questions...

There is a line of red stars leading to the problem area.

Don't let Jar Jar kill you, don't kill Jar Jar. Each time you do the first the Machine advances half a notch, the second, a full notch.

That seems to answer my first query, so I focus my Insight on the second...

"How can I defeat the Discordant Vector?"

Pages...20 per book. Five books. You easily scan them.

You realized, frustrated, that you have enough info to solve things, or at least move forward, and that there is no more time. Your Insight clams up before you end up killing yourself with it.

You hear Jar Jar's voice coming down the corridor outside the room.

‘Mesa most grateful for this tour.'

"Of course, a Senator from the Imperial Senate is always welcome." A bored security guard says.

"Not all of security got the message to keep out this Binks. Or he's got some sort of power like the Jedi." Speaker to Animals says. "It is protocol to be polite to Imperial Senators."

"He has power, and is dangerous.  Beware his touch."

I stretch out my precognitive senses via the Force, seeking any possible insights in the moments remaining to me...

You see yourself dodging Jar Jar Bink's touch, and he laughing at you as a red bolt of entropic energy flares from his hands, and disintegrates you.

"My old limits are being broken by you. My thanks, Opener of the Ways."

Your vision ends, and Jar Jar Binks steps in the door. The guard with him stares, and begins to speak. Binks touches him, and the guard dies.

"Meesa thinksa thisa goes better with no witnesses. Oopsie, I guess thats bad news for you, Speaker to Animals." Jar Jar adresses the Kzinti next to you.

Speaker to Animals flexes his six inch long talons, and roars, the sound bouncing off the walls repeatedly. Jar Jar blinks a bit nervously.

I look at Jar Jar.  :: Ring.  Put that one to sleep, now! ::

Jar Jar staggers as you hit him with sleep, but he seems to draw on some strength...And Speaker to Animals throws a metal box off the counter at him...and as Jar Jar blocks it, Speaker goes in to knock him off his feet....and you actually don't see it as the box is between you and Jar Jar, but there is a crunch...

A GREAT MACHINE ADVANCES ONE TOCK FORWARD.

The box hits the ground, and you realize you've never seen a Kzinti warrior in full rage before.  He's still breathing like a fan on overdrive, all his hair is out, and drips of sweat run down his fur.  Jar Jar is profoundly dead.

OOC: Why yes, that's 2@1 Combat Skills with 2@1 plus STR and Dexterity plus berserk.  You really don't want to make a Kzinti mad at you if you're closer than twenty feet from him.  Your ‘sleep' might have worked, but StA didn't give it a chance.

I speak quietly, but with calm authority.

"Ambassador...  I suspect that this... thing... will not stay dead long.  We must restrain him quickly, so that he may neither slay nor be slain when he revives.  Options?"

As I listen to his response, I check for vectors...

He stares at you with a blazing look that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, but his voice is civilized.

"Yes, wise one, I do."

He shows you a personal locker, about two feet wide by eight feet tall by three feet deep. Its got stuff in it, but could be easily cleaned out.

He shows you some wrap cable which can be flicked around someone, and it will bond to itself, and unless one knows the trick of it, it will not release without very great strength.

He shows you a bactine tank for healing massive injuries (Luke floated in one at one time.)

The only vector to a person is Jar Jar's body.  It is healing, but slowly.

"Quickly then.  We'll use the wrap cable first, then stick the bundle into the bactine tank.  Can the latter be configured to keep the subject sedated?"

He nods, and the job is quickly accomplished.

OOC: Good thinking about the bactine tank's sedation powers.

I check for vectors, and check the readout of the bactine tank.

:: Ring.  Monitor captive in bactine tank.  If it shows any signs of reviving, alert me immediately, and immediately use the empathic field's Sleep mode upon it. ::

"Thank you, Ambassador.  I had better monitor him for awhile, and make sure that our precautions are sufficient.  Can this bactine tank keep a subject deeply sedated but alive indefinitely?"

"Do I currently have access to the Kzinti computer systems and databanks as a Wise One of the pack?  If not, how do I gain access?  It would be well if I made good use of the time while I"m watching this thing, and learned more of the ways of the pack, and of the Suncat and the Great Beast..."

I again check for vectors, and again check the readout of the bactine tank...

If/when the Ambassador leaves to see to the computer access, I stretch out my precognitive senses once again, attempting to glimpse any insights of what may be to come, given the current state of things...

:: Ring.  Summarize contents of recently scanned Kzinti books. ::

If/when I receive computer access, I set Ring and CU2 to work sifting through the data to help me glean whatever insight about the Suncat and the Great Beast, about Kzinti culture and the role of a Wise One in the pack, about Kzinti history and interactions with the Jedi, and any other relevant topics...

"Well for at least a week, I know."

He tells you where the computer access room is.  You have to physically go there.

The vector leads to the tank.

With your precog, you see Yoda standing in front of the bactine tank.

The Ring points out that this is a very militaristic, small group oriented, formal society of pack carnivores who place great emphases on personal fighting prowess.  Because telepaths tend to be smaller than average, and Jedi are similar, and they hate Jedi, they mistreat their own telepaths.

W/o the Jedi, the humans would not have beaten them.

Kzinti have two genders, but the female gender is unintelligent.

Its clear to you that the Suncat did have force powers, and was pssibly a Sith who used hatred to drive the Great Enemy to death/sleep in the oceans of Ryleh.  Ryleh is just beyond the Kzinti homeworld, Great Fortress.

 "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh (Untranslatable) R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn" ("In his house at R'lyeh dead (Untranslatable) waits dreaming"), ...this is one of the Suncat's sayings.

::Processing ‘Untranslatable', Processing. Error. Error. Illogical Pattern. Error. Imminent Shutdown.::  The Ring and CU2 are crashing, computer wise.

OOC: From the precog, do I get any hints about when this scene takes place?  For example, from any nearby clocks, or directions and lengths of shadows through any nearby windows, or etc.?

I reboot Ring and CU2, and have CU2 alone work on the translation work in "safe mode", so that it will simply abort instead of crash when severe difficulties are encountered.  I have Ring continue to monitor "Jar Jar", with empathic Sleep mode at the ready just in case.

I monitor the tank to see if/when "Jar Jar" revives, and if the sedation is effective after life signs return.

And as I do so, I consider the current circumstances.

It is possible that I can keep "Jar Jar" knocked out for some extended period of time, but that is simply a dangerous stalemate that could be overturned at any time by a multitude of circumstances or causes.

It is possible that I could use Ring to open a portal to another random universe and push "Jar Jar" through, but that is full of risks.  "Jar Jar" could well be a danger to the other universe.  Or the portal could get stuck open into a universe with a radically different bias level, and really mess up both universes.

I could tell the Jedi that I have captured the DV and enlist their assistance, but they might not believe me, and they wouldn't be welcome in the Kzinti Embassy, and they might object to me keeping an apparent senator captive.

And beyond "Jar Jar", there are still too many unanswered questions.  Why does the Great Machine advance when I die, or when he dies?  How many ticks are we away from some undesirable event?  What is that undesirable event?  And how do I avert the danger for good?

And so I pray fervently, and seek insight from the remaining shards of superintelligence once again...

Your Insight kicks in...and you know what waits in the oceans of Ryleh beyond the Great Fortress of the Kzinti.

"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn" ("In his house at R'lyeh dead Cthulu waits dreaming"),

The Old Gods once ruled this universe before the Human Empire. And the stars are going right as the Great Machine turns them, and when they're finally right, the King of Madness will again reign.  You are the lock, and "Jar Jar" is the key, and once the door is open, the way is open, then Great Cthulhu will come through.

You realize you're screaming, and then ...thonk.

You wake up in bed some time later. Your ring tells you its been twenty-four hours since StA clobbered you in order to stop you from tearing your eyes out with your own hands.

I awaken, and come to terms with this new information.

:: Ring.  Is "Jar Jar" still safely sedated in the bactine tank? ::

And then, I pray fervently for guidance, and seek Insight once more, as I consider the following question: Will pushing "Jar Jar" through a portal into another universe, separating the "lock" (me) from the "key" ("Jar Jar"), save this universe, or endanger both of them?

According to the Ring he is. It says that it needs repair.

You seek Insight, but you find yourself screaming, and a medbot does something to your arm.

You wake up some time later. Your ring says its been two hours.

I check on the tank to see what kind of repair is needed before seeking Insight, and see to it if possible...

-=-

When I awaken again, I remember the limited tidbits of second-hand familiarity I've acquired on this subject from reviews and parodies of Lovecraft RPGs, and wonder if I'm acquiring Insanity Points.  It looks like some things don't make for enjoyable contemplation, whether for human brains or for computers...

I head back out to check on "Jar Jar", and check for vectors.

:: Ring.  If I start screaming uncontrollably again, use the empathic field to calm me, or to put me to sleep if necessary. ::

As I look at "Jar Jar", I prayerfully and carefully stretch forth my Sight to perceive him, to see what the "symbols" I sense from him indicate (as I did in the anthropomorphic Mary Piper world), to try to determine whether he is the real Jar Jar possessed by the DV, or purely a DV doppelganger...

You look, and you see Jar Jar holding a metal symbol with a puzzled look on his face. He's about to say something. He's always about to say something.

Around him is a moss-hung stone block room, full of ancient dread, and symbols carved in the stone block of the Suncat with his fang, and the ....something your mind flinches from seeing.

Your mind flees back, and you're out of the underground complex, past the booby traps, and above a lush green alien jungle while in the distance a sea slaps the shore.

And then you're falling away from the planet, and running down a stairstep of red lights until you're looking into the maddened eyes of somethign that is not Jar Jar in the slightest even if it looks like him.

You see hanging about him a black halo, and in it is a wound and tied cord that has one end, but no other. It looks easy to unwind, but the closer you look, the harder it is....there are no signs of love or of senatorship, which there should be if this was really Jar Jar.

You start....

And suddenly you are asleep.

Oh, yeah, I am a bad referee.

"Now that you're drugged senseless, what do you do?"

=============

You do wake, and you feel as if something unpleasant was patiently watching you.  But ‘Jar Jar' is still there, and so is the vector to him.

I inwardly sigh.  Poor Jar Jar.

I ponder creating a portal to another universe, and pushing "Jar Jar" through.  But the unpleasant watching deters me.  Perhaps a portal is just what the DV wants me to do, so it can itself use it to escape this universe.

I pray fervently for wisdom.

And afterwards...

:: Ring.  How much time has passed since my arrival at the Kzinti Embassy? ::

:: Summarize events that have occurred here during my periods of unconsciousness. ::

:: Summarize monitored broadcast news events that have occurred since my arrival in this universe. ::

:: Access Jedi Temple.  Determine current condition of Obi Wan Kenobi.  Check if Yoda can be contacted.  Summarize any available information on Jedi activity since my departure. ::

Opening a portal is actually what you are doing every time you nearly verse out. You are cracking the portal open when you verse out or ‘Jar Jar' does (although what he does is a bit different, but essentially the same in effect although stronger.) Deliberately opening a portal would be like attempting to cure third degree burns by jumping into an incinerator on full blast.

27 hours.

"(Translated from G'tgoric: We have seen a 9.4% increase in irrational actions in the last day cycle. The G'togoric Stock Exchange is closing as the incidence of computer errors has risen to an unacceptable 1 in 1 Terraflops operations.  The converse theory is that the ‘irrational actions' are ‘merely aliens being alien.')

The Star Destroyer ‘Might of the Republic' has collided with Orbital Factory YF92 due to ‘computer error'.

Ryleh Solar System is engulfed in a hyperspatial storm.

The Red Lights continue to glow, inspiring acts of violence and insanity among the weak-minded, but we encourage the wise to ignore them–Jedi Council News Release.

::Events that have occurred at the embassy are unknown to me.::

Obi Wan is recovering in bactine tank. Yoda wishes to contact you.

:: Contact Jedi Master Yoda now. ::

:: Master Yoda.  My name is John Oakmaster.  I have information about the evil entity threatening us, and urgently need your counsel...  ::

Shortly thereafter, Master Yoda walks in surrounded by a half-dozen much larger Kzinti warriors.  He makes them seem outnumbered and outmatched.

"End Herald you are. Now wonder, should I trap you."

"If you Jedi had not destroyed the Suncat, we would not be at this impasse. In your greed for our light sabers and our secret knowledges you brought the Universe to this prophesied point." The Lord who defended you speaks harshly with a growl in his voice.

Yoda merely stares at him.

"I have spoken to my homeworld, and talked to one of our great scholars, and now I know truly why the Kzinti loathe your kind, Jedi."

The others growl so that the chamber vibrates.

"Honorable Kzinti Lord and Master Jedi.  We are all threatened by a great evil.  I have temporarily hindered it by binding and sedating the body it has been making use of, but we are all in grave danger."

"We must take counsel together, to fully understand both our current circumstances and our needed response."

"I suspect that you both have your own information and perspective regarding the history and prophesies relevant to our current circumstances.  May I request that each of you now summarize what you know of these things?  It may be that, together, we can perceive more clearly what has been done, and what must be done, in order to save us all."

"Room better when anger gone." Yoda says, and motions for the Kzinti Lord to speak.

"Anger is a great shield against evil." He spits back.

"Leads to the Dark Side it does. Once you, your race had gone down that..."

"You're an idiot." The Kzinti Lord snaps back.  One of his peers lunges forward only to be greeted by a lightsaber blade suddenly igniting and resting right in front of his nose.

The Kzintis breathing becomes louder and you see that their hair is all standing up, and beads of sweat are running down their hair (and yes, it stinks like wet dog, but with an undertone to you of shivering terror. You realize yet again, the Kzinti are carnivores, and much more aggressive than humans.)

"Honorable Kzinti and Master Jedi...  The evil entity that threatens us all acts by sowing discord, and thereby manipulating others to do its bidding.  Even those in the Jedi Temple were thus manipulated to attack me without cause."

"Kzinti brethren, are not the Kzinti a great and honorable race?  Will you then allow yourselves to be used as a simple pawn by the evil entity that threatens us all, as those in the Jedi Temple were?"

"Now is your chance to show a Jedi Master how the Kzinti can refuse to be tricked, how the Kzinti can refuse to be manipulated, how the Kzinti can refuse to be used as simple pawns by this evil entity sowing discord among us, as those in the Jedi Temple were."

"Let us take counsel together, and share knowledge of the past and present, so that we may have hope for a future.  It is the Honorable Path.  It is the Path of Duty to the pack, that we do all we can to defeat the true enemy entity that will destroy us all, unless we unite together against it now."

"Have you honored me as a Wise One?  Then please, hear my counsel now, and choose the Path of Honor and Duty.  Let us stand down now, and take counsel together, and work together to win this battle... while there is still hope."

I take a deep breath, regarding those before me.

"Honorable Kzinti Lord, you said that you have talked with a great Kzinti scholar.  What did he say?"

The Kzinti Lord calms down, and forces his brethren with much snarling and show of fangs to do likewise.

"In the days before the Human Empire more than ten thousand years ago which now owns most of the galaxy, there were many empires."

The Kzinti Lord looks at Master Yoda who nods agreeably.

"The Humans were one of the smaller ones. And then they received....counsel from Master Yoda's people."

"So, it is. We saw a promising people."

"You saw a naive tool you could use." The Kzinti Lord snarled back. "Your race, Wise One, were well-intentioned, but young to the vastness of space, and enthusiastic."

"Much depends on one's point of view." Yoda says very calmly.

"Typical Jedi sophistry. From the depths of intergalactic space, the Old Ones, led by their master, came back.  Suncat, our greatest king, who had been born of prophecy to save the galaxy went forth in his rage to confront the King of Madness.  And he was aided by many wise adepts of many races.  And even the humans sent some.  But what was not known was that the humans were treacherous and had made alliance with the King of Madness."

"Again, a simplistic understanding..."

"My ancestor, my ancestor, Master Yoda, fought the King of Madness, and then the first Jedi struck him from behind, and took from us the secret of the sabre and of the Ways of Power. "

"Then did things happen?"

"Yes." The Kzinti sighed. "Then the Jedi turned upon their ally the King of Madness and struck him down. It seemed even he was not prepared for such betrayal."

I listen attentively, then turn calmly to Yoda.

"Have you anything to add to our understanding of these past events, Master Yoda?  And do you have counsel for what must now be done to finally defeat this King of Madness?"

"The Ways of Power are simply the use of the Force, which like the use of the lightsabre, your people denied to themselves in their rage."

"So you admit you stole..."

"Learned we did. How is that stealing?"

There is a moment of silence.

"Stop you, we did not."

"Oh?" The Kzinti Lord says narrowly. "Any Kzinti who could use the Force as you name it was forced to join your cult. Why would a true Kzinti give his sons to you and your kind?"

Suddenly you get a flash and you see Master Yoda insisting on turning over Runt to them, or else.

"Is this so, Master Yoda?  Have you anything further to add to our understanding of these past events?  And do you have counsel for what must now be done to finally defeat this King of Madness?"

"Counsel is useless where no wisdom rests." Master Yoda says.

"You have heard one perspective on past events, and one perspective on why Kzinti do not use the Force.  You now have the opportunity to give your own perspective upon these topics, and to correct any mistaken impressions you may perceive."

"And you have the opportunity to share whatever wisdom you bring not just regarding the past, but also the present."

"The need for wise counsel and wise action, in the face of the grave threat we all face, is great.  And anything any of us can do to help finally defeat this King of Madness is hardly useless."

"Will you not share your thoughts with us now, Master Yoda?  And if not, then why did you come?"

"Hoped I had for wisdom, at least in you. See now that the Dark Side is seducing you.  These prophecies. Foolish. Jedi saved the universe then, save it now."

And he reaches out and touches the glass of the bactine tank holding ‘Jar Jar'.

And there is an emptiness where Yoda was, and then you see Master Yoda is there again, and his saber is lit, and its swinging and already one Kzinti is headless.

As he reaches out and touches the glass, I check vectors, and continue checking vectors as he disappears and reappears...

OOC: Based upon what I sense, I will post my actions which immediately respond to his attack upon the Kzinti...

There was one DV in the bactine tank, and now there are two DV's, and one of them is ‘Master Yoda'.  But you feel as if both signals are weaker than the original DV signal.  Hopefully that means there is some sort of limit for Cthulu creating Wayopeners.

:: Ring.  Put attacker to sleep, now!  If unsuccessful, TK pulse attacker, incapacitating non-lethal force, now! ::

As I watch the results, I pray fervently for the LORD to guard and guide me...

Before the Ring strikes, Yoda flicks out his blade which seems to do nothing, blocks a curved knife attack, blocks another from another hand, shrugs off your Sleep attack with no effect, and you blast a Kzinti into the wall as Yoda suddenly ducks.

The Kzinti is across the room, and he gives you a look that is easily translated.

...oh, you've joined the bad guys too, eh? Well not for long....

He leaps at you, and a large box falls off the wall and lands on him.  Your prayer was answered....which should be impossible or something.

I fervently pray for wisdom, and reach for insight from my shard of superintelligence.

:: What must I do to finally defeat this King of Madness? ::

Don't do that you feel...and you're suddenly screaming.  But everyone is too busy to pay attention to you, but Ring, and it knocks you out.

You wake up a while later and you're surrounded by several bodies, Kzinti, one headless and other two punched through the heart.  The bactine tank is empty. Yoda is gone.  No Kzinti is immediately around.

:: Ring.  Time elapsed since losing consciousness.  Summarize detected events, whether local, or detected via broadcasts, or detected via Jedi Temple system access. ::

I check for vectors, and fervently pray for wisdom.

:: Dearest LORD...  It is written, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."::

:: Dearest LORD, what must I do to finally defeat this King of Madness?  Please guide and guard me now, I pray... ::

Three hours, ten minutes.

Master Yoda killed another Kzinti with a thrust, and then shattered the glass at which point, Jar Jar spoke and darkness filled the air. When it cleared, the Kzinti left to track down the two of them.

An hour ago you were listed on the Jedi Temple datanet as Most Wanted, capture and return body, dead or alive.  Bounty, 200,000 Imperials.

You receive no answer from your prayer.

One vector is below and the other is above you.  Some study reveals the one below to be detectably close (a few miles at most.), and the other is very far away.

:: What did Jar Jar say when he spoke?  Which direction did the Kzinti go when they left to track them down?  Did the Kzinti say anything about me, for good or for ill?  ::

:: What transgression(s) am I listed as being Most Wanted for?  How am I described?  Are photos or holograms of me included? ::

You did have a direct physical response to prayer earlier. But now, you don't even feel a sense of direction. Strange. (this note is in response to your fervent prayer.)

OOC: I had not considered it, but you've certainly faced a lot of puzzles and such through the various worlds. MJ gave me a Persuasion bump because I scared a lot of people. I'm going to give you an Intuition @1+ for lots of seeking of wisdom and dealing with puzzles.  This is in response to your prayer for wisdom.

::Jar Jar spoke "I will wait and continue." To which the Master Yoda entity replied "I will go and destroy." And then both cried out a name....Automatic reset per orders.::  Evidently your ring can't bear to say the name, but I'm fairly sure you should be able to figure out the name involved.

::The Kzinti Lord checked you to see if you were still alive.  "Wake soon, Wise One. We need your counsel to deal with the treachery of the Jedi, and the rise fo the Great Enemy."::

Upon leaving, the Kzinti realized that the two foe were splitting, and they chose to reenter the embassy and take ship to follow the Master Yoda entity upwards into the sky on a path along the red stars.

::You are listed as a Sith Lord assassin.  There are photos and holograms included, however they have been doctored I conclude, unless you have been hiding from me a red lightsabre that you possess.::

They have gone to hyperdrive, so no.

: Hmmm.  The Kzinti Lord still wants my assistance and counsel, yet left me behind where I can't communicate with him.  Therefore, it must be the case that I am currently needed more here.  And that must mean that my path leads... downward. :

:: Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me now, I pray...  ::

I take a deep breath.

:: Ring.  Change form to Kzinti.  Initiate now. ::

While waiting, I focus, and stretch forth my precognitive senses to glimpse what may be to come...

:: Did the Kzinti Ambassador depart with the ship?  If not, can he be contacted?  If so, contact him now. ::

You shapeshift to Kzinti.

You look into the future and you catch a glimpse of yourself calling into the sky...

"Send the fires of Elijah to free these people from this false god!"

And then the vision is gone.

And then you see Han Solo standing about ten feet from you.  He's got his laser pistol in his hand.

"You know some people think you should wait to shoot.  I shot first. You gotta know what the rules really are if you want to master the game."

And then he's gone.

Another Force-dream.  The Force is still trying to talk to you in its way.

You head down, and you see Jar Jar talking to the Chancellor Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker on a walkway curving between two buildings.  Your knowledge of body language lets you read that Palpatine is bored stiff, but being polite, and Anakin is amused and friendly to Jar Jar.

OOC: Was I able to contact the Kzinti Ambassador?

:: Ring.  Download Jedi Temple data regarding light sabres, including technical specifications and light sabre fighting form techniques.  Analyze.  Can you remotely deactivate a light sabre?  If so, how long is required to do so? ::

I prayerfully and carefully stretch forth my Sight to perceive the Chancellor, to see what the "symbols" I sense from him indicate....

OOC: No, however your cubs are here.

Downloaded. Techniques are for broadsword fighting.  Uncertainty.  Yes. From one to three minutes due to further degradation from being in ‘MY Entity's' presence.

You look at the Chancellor and see....

Lightning. A Crown of a Galaxy. A copy of Macchiavelli's ‘The Prince'. Lightsabre. A Dead and Decapitated Head.

He turns around, looking, and you feel a powerful mind searching for you.  It flies past you in its hurried search.

OOC: What is MY in "MY Entity's"?

BTW, how do I know that the cubs are still here, but the Ambassador isn't?  Who is watching them now?

I cease examining him as he starts searching, but continue gleaning what I can of their conversation from afar.

Then I search for vectors, seeking my belongings.  Hopefully the cubs are still carrying the pennies that I gave them...

OOC: MY is Master Yoda.

As you walk around, they see you and run up to you.  And no one.  They are very serious having been put on their best behavior as ‘the Kzinti Nation is at war'.

And yes, the cubs still have the pennies.

At first, I expect that they wouldn't recognize me in my current form, apart from being a generic Kzinti, when I see them approaching me.

And then I remember Runt's telepathy, and nod thoughtfully.

"Well met, young warriors.  What instructions has your father given you, and what has happened since then?"

At first they did not, but then Runt whispers to his fellows.  You remember you're the only adult Kzinti so far you've seen since you woke up.  Its natural for them to approach you.

He said to help you, and to defend the honor of the Kzinti Nation, and uh, to watch our tails.

They left in a great howling war pack, and now we see Clone Troopers outside ‘spying' on us ‘discreetly'.  (The scorn in the young voice is obvious.)  The Troopers could not sneak up on a blind Bligahootz.

I nod thoughtfully.

"Let us return to the embassy, young warriors.  The air smells fresher there..."

Upon our return, I look for Singer of Swords.

If I find him, I ask him to teach us the Way of the Fang.

If I don't find him, or after we finish spending time with him, I go to the computer access room, and look for interesting information about prophesies, history, culture, light sabres, and the Way of Power...

No one but you and the cubs are in the embassy.

Prophecy...
...And the Suncat will kill that which sleeps, and the Way will be One...
History....
....The most powerful Jedi tend to become Sith.  If the Sith Lords did not recruit from the Jedi, they would self-annihilate due to their tendency to have the padawan kill the master.

Culture...
...The Jedi do go about recruiting young kids, mostly males, and teaching them to be celibate, and wholly separate from their families.  A number of Kzinti and other races have objected to t his, and were informed at the point of a Star Destroyer that ‘this is the way things are'.
Light Sabres
...Originally designed to be ‘light talons' for the Kzinti.  The Kzinti gave them up as a means of rejecting the Jedi. Rather blockheaded.
The Way of Power...
...It sounds like a combination of Sith and Jedi Powers, and greatly more powerful than both.

I pray for wisdom...

I look for more information on techniques used in light sabre construction, and in the Way of the Fang, and in the Way of Power.

I try to take inventory of resources available at the embassy.  Are there any light sabres?  Swords?  Energy pistols?  Sticky rope?  Shriekers?  Other interesting equipment?  Diplomatic badges or other types of diplomatic credentials, particularly those that might confer diplomatic immunity?  Communication equipment that seems capable of contacting the ship (though I might have to wait until after it exits hyperspace)?  Food?  Credits?  Defenses for the Embassy Complex?  Ships capable of hyperspace travel to the Kzinti homeworld with untrained pilots?

I also check for any dangers, passcodes or other ways to avoid the dangers, etc.  I find out what I can from the computer and from asking the cubs.  If the computer doesn't warn me off, I also enlist the cubs to carefully search the place to see what can be found...

There is a manual on light sabre construction.

There is a holotrainer suite for the Way of the Fang.

Way of Power...
...'The Force is Life.  While it has been corrupted by the presence of the Old Gods, to believe that anger is evil, is to believe that the One God who made the Force in the Beginning is evil for he made anger.

The Jedi confuse tactics for morality.  The Sith believe the propaganda the Jedi speak about them and are doubly fools.  Only the Kzinti and certain other of the Ancient Races remember the Way of Power before it was broken by Jedi treachery.'

When you inquire about weapons, a robot shortly joins you.  It gives you a Harsh Environment Suit, a Handtalon Knife (generic for untaloned races), a Laser Blaster, a two-shot double barrel Plasma Torch (short range and massive), and a crystal knife to hide out on your forearm.

There is sticky rope, and Diplomatic Immunity badges, and Senatorial badges, and several air speeders (one heavily armed and armored).

Food and credits are available.

Weapons for the Embassy are locked in Defense Mode.  Once you leave you'e not getting back in.

:: Ring.  Download holotrainer suite for the Way of the Fang. ::

I pray, and search for further information about "the One God who made the Force in the Beginning".

I also search for further information about the Way of Power, particularly information that would actually help me progress in learning it, as well as more information on the "certain other of the Ancient Races".

I query the weapons robot regarding which weapons function indefinitely, and which weapons cease functioning after any type of ammunition or power supply is exhausted.  For the latter, I query about replacement supplies.

I request the weapons robot to thoroughly double-check embassy inventory for any available light sabres, and for any available fang swords.  (Do I still have the one the Kzinti Lord gave me?)  I give the robot a copy of the light sabre construction manual, and query if materials are available within the embassy to construct light sabres, and if it is capable of doing so.

I also examine the weapons robot itself to evaluate whatever capabilities it has.

And I gather the cubs together...

"Well done, young warriors.  You have progressed well... and external events have progressed as well.  I think that it is time for us to spend some time with the holotrainer suite, and learn more of the Way of the Fang..."

OOC: Was there any way to communicate with the ship?

Thats about the extent of the information on the One God.

You find some information, but its annoyingly cryptic in the ‘one hand clapping' kind of way on the Way of Power.

"To understand the universe, see it from the top.  To know how to change many things, know the very smallest word/quark."

The knives are indefinite.  The blaster has 20 shots. The torch has four, two per barrel.  You're able to find energy packs which work for both. Four packs.

You have your fang sword. There seems to be no fang swords in teh armory.

"No, master." The robot replies.

The bot is a low level combatant able to defeat an untrained human, but primarily of use as a servant to a warrior.

No way to talk to the ship.

The cubs cheer and you're off to fight many battles in the holosuite.

OOC Q1: Is the holosuite like in Star Trek, where created objects and sparring partners are solid while in the holosuite?  Or are they just holograms?

OOC Q2: Was there any information about "certain other of the Ancient Races"?

When it is time for a break from the holosuite, I pray, and focus, and immerse myself in the Force, and reach out my perceptions to perceive the universe, as I did before.  Though I suspect that to "see it from the top" is metaphoric (to see it from the One God's perspective, for example), it doesn't hurt to try, for I did gain some insight into the state of the universe last time.

And then, I attempt to zoom in not upon this planet as last time, but upon the Kzinti ship, to see if I can make telepathic contact with any aboard...

Just holograms.

Wookies, and Quatamarians.

You look down and see the poisonous insanity reaching out from Ryleh, and the line of red stars going to it, and the whole mass of the galaxy spinning with all the stars in their own orbits.  And you can see the whole Force is starting to look tainted.  By now, you're sure its not about the Sith.  Madness is going to take the Balance between Jedi and Sith, their gameboard, and just tip the whole thing over.

No.

You've already accessed the Kzinti embassy.  The publically available networks have nothing.  The Jedi Temple has a secret core.

In it you find arguements by ancient ‘fencers' to use the lightsabre as a fencing weapon.

You also find eugenics programs to foster high Force power bloodlines, and genealogies of Force masters reaching back several thousand years.  Anakin Skywalker has over four dozen Jedi and Sith Masters in his ancestry.  He's particularly ‘blessed' in this way, even more so than someone like Mace Windu who has twenty Jedi and three Sith in his ancestry.

You find that the Jedi by turns restrict being Jedi to the celibate and at other times encourage children.

You find a Jedi philosophy text which argues as Thomas Aquineas argued that there has to be one God, a Creator.  You find truly ancient Jedi documents from the first millenium of the Human Empire which speak of talking to unknown races about texts received from the One God.

You also, in Year 489 of the Empire see a comment about a Sith Lord returning to the Jedi Way, and then leaving it, but not by falling, but by transcending it.

Nothing more.

Quatamarians are semi-aquatic sentients of great antiquity.  They dominate four dozen solar systems near the R'talwan Rim, and are active in high value cargo transportation along the Rim and across it to the outlying regions.

Some researchers claim they have genetic memory, but the Quatamarians are reclusive, and reticient.  They live in shallow water pools primarily, although they are comfortable enough in rain forrest jungle planets, and in purely aquatic worlds.

They have four arms, and a hardshelled central node.  They change color to match their environment.

Star Destroyer Vice Captain Reux of the Republic SD Powerful Presence is their highest ranking officer in the Republic Fleet.

:: Ring.  Are any Quatamarians also Jedi?  Can you determine where the Republic SD Powerful Presence is now? ::

I pray, and focus, and immerse myself in the Force, and reach out my perceptions to perceive the universe, as I did before.

And then, I attempt to zoom in not upon this planet, but upon the home planet of the Quatamarians.

And if I am successful, the I pray for guidance, and attempt to make telepathic contact with one of them...

;;Yes. It is in the Rokianti System at what is considered a ‘liberty planet'.::

You find one of the Quatamarians.  His mind is most powerful.

::Ah, the prophecied overly large vegetation.  I wondered when you would show up.::

OOC: Is this a Quatamarian from their home planet, or is this the Jedi one, or is this one from elsewhere?

:: Please pardon my intrusion.  There is a great Danger to this universe, and I seek to better understand what must be done.  Please, what do you know of the prophesies?  And what do you know of the time this Danger last rose up, and of how it was defeated? ::

Home planet.

::We know that the One Who is An Overly Large Bush would come, and with him would come the Wayopener.  We know that the Great Machine which was hidden inside a black hole would come forth and rearrange the spinning orbits of the stars, and the orbits of the star systems to let the Great Majestic Sleeper Awake, and spew forth poison into the Lifeweb.

In the time before the Great Human Conglomeration of Star Systems, which is ruled by the Jedi Cult, the Suncat of the Fang and Talon People came forth, and he sought to destroy the Sleeper.  But, the Jedi struck him down, in their silent deception of soul, in the equanamity of evil, and when the Sleeper made himself vulnerable to them, they then turned on him, and cast the Great Machine back into the black hole.  And then the Sleeper fell into the depths of the waters.

But now, is the Suncat reborn. Gold is his hair. Mighty is his wrath.  But this time he is not borne of the Fang and Talon People.::

:: It is your name is it not?  No.  Both excellent questions. We were there to support the Kzinti.::

::I do not understand, Overly Large Bush. We gave them of our will. We do not know. Pause. The Great Machine.::

The Quatamarian shrugs.

:You must have met the Wayopener already for the stars are being moved.  All we know is that the Suncat will be mighty in the Lifeweb, and greater than ...well, he should be as the Suncat was before, should he not? We have told you what we know of the Suncat.  The Great Machine is held at the Star's Death beyond Ryleh, and it is ...we don't understand your distinction. It is in its essence a machine.  But then all life is such, and more.

Ah, a good question.

‘And the Overly Large Bush shall come, and shall slay the Wayopener, and be slain in turn, and the Time Shall Be Made Right as the Great Machine wills, and the Stars shall speed to their new orbits so that they turn Red.  And the Overly Large Bush shall ask many questions that cannot be answered, and shall plead for someone to take the burden of making a decision of what to do from his shoulders for he fears the fate of the galaxy that is laid on his shoulders as any wise being should.  But pity him not as someone has to do it, and it might as well be him.  And the King of Madness shall awake and the Overly Large Bush will know great fear, but then he shall stand in the fullness of power for madness brings new rules, and the mad may be burnt as a false prophet.  And there be many ways the Overly Large Bush may triumph, but it is not certain he will.  If he does not, life will truly stink.

OOC: ROFL!   You had *way* too much fun writing that, didn't you? :D

I recall to my mind the vision where I witnessed Jar Jar accidentally becoming a Wayopener, omitting the portion that my mind avoids involving the King of Madness, and telepathically share the vision with the Quatamarian.

:: Do you know what these symbols mean? ::

:: Do you know anything of the One God? ::

OOC: Who me??

Let me think on this a bit...

::This Jar Jar is the Wayopener.  It, for it has little awareness, of itself, is a tendril of the Dread One's manipulator appendage.  It seeks to open the door to this reality from some awful place where the Dread One reigns.::

The Quatamarian shows you several runes that mean that.

::And here is you, the Overly Large Bush.  When you ‘verse' you tear at reality, but you are tied here by the Wayopener, so you yank him little by little further into another reality, thus opening the way.::

::This is the Suncat standing under its circle with a sword of light in each hand.::

::This is you, or its the Lifeweb.  You see yourself split in two.::

::The Suncat heals you, I think.::

::Then you burn the Wayopener, and the Suncat destroys....or....ahem...the Machine is broken....and this circle th e Suncat stands under....does it mean ship or sun....this last symbol is really hard::

::Of course, we know of the One God.   I have genetic memories of talking to Him.::

:: What did He say? ::

:: What is the relationship between the One God and the Suncat? ::

::He explained Reality to us, and our moral duties, and the Lifeweb He had created for us to use.  But He forbad the use of the Lifeweb to reach into other realms, but one did so and so came the Old Gods.

But the Creator said...One will come whose soul is the sun, and great shall be his name, and his destiny, and he shall utterly destroy the wicked false gods from before you.  Worship them not, turn aside from them, cast not your mind upon them, flee from their awful presence, a sword broken with one edge and another sword is not better than a single sword with two edges.  Beware the peaceful.::

::It is taught by the One God ‘Use the Lifeweb as you use your life. But touch not the unclean realms. The Lifeweb will heal you, defend you, guide you, show you paths to other futures and to the past, will strike down the wicked with great wrath, will make the weak strong, and the strong great. Only worship it not, for it is not Me, but only my gift to those I love.."::

::Haven't I told you this? Fear not, the Creator would not have meant this to be impossible for you to figure out.::

A flood of psionic energy fills your link, and its cut off.

Snap-hiss.

A dark figure, looming, ominous, draped in a black cloak is standing ten feet from you.  His voice rasps out...

"Am I to be the Future?"

And then he advances with clear intent to separate you from your mortal coil...

:: Ring.  Kinetic Pulse upon approaching figure, lethal force, now! ::

Regardless of the outcome, I pray aloud fervently as I raise my oak staff, even as I recall my previous visions...

"Dearest LORD, please send the fires of Elijah to free these people from this false god!"

The Ring pulses, and Darth Vader raises his right hand. You feel the air driven out of the room as your ears pop.  Pulse vs. Force, and the air molecules are losing.

"Your God's powers are not meant to work here in this exact place. Together father and son, we can save this galaxy.  Bring order..."

His sword flashes, and he's just faster and stronger than you are.  Your oak staff barely blocks his attack.  And then his saber slices into your chest.

And as you collapse you see him dissappear and a great glowing web of energy appear, and it too has a slash through it.  You sense a great frustration from it as its trying to bridge the barriers between merely human and millenia old galactic scale Lifeweb.

And then its gone, but you still have a raw open wound in your chest.  And it refuses to heal, but neither does it bleed.

:: Dearest LORD... it is said that in this universe... you have commanded... "Use the Lifeweb... as you use your life", and... "The Lifeweb will heal you". ::

:: Thank you for this gift...  Please help and... heal me now, I pray... ::

I immerse myself in the Lifeweb, and attempt to use it to heal myself...

You feel rage and hatred flash through you...

I take a deep breath, focusing my thoughts upon prayer and upon Holy Scripture, even as I press on with my efforts using the Lifeweb.

:: Dearest LORD...  it is written... "Resist the devil... and he will flee from you."... and... "Greater is he that is in you... than he that is in the world."... and "My peace I give unto you... not as the world giveth, give I unto you."... ::

:: And it is said that in this universe... you have said... "The Lifeweb will heal you... defend you, guide you... show you paths to other futures and to the past... will strike down the wicked with great wrath... will make the weak strong, and the strong great... " ::

:: Dearest LORD, strengthen me now, I pray... ::

I press onwards in my attempts to heal myself via the Lifeweb.  For even though it has been touched by unclean realms, the LORD God Almighty reigneth...

You feel strong as the rage courses through you.

And you see another vision from the movie.

Chancellor Palpatine telling Anakin that the power of the Sith is such that it can save someone from death.

And then he turns to you and chuckles.

"Come to me. Join the Dark Side. I will tell you who the Suncat is."

I focus harder upon prayer, and upon drawing upon the Lifeweb for healing.

:: "Get thee behind me, Satan... for it is written... Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God... and him only shalt thou serve."...  "For the wrath of man... worketh not the righteousness of God."... ::

The vision of Palpatine ceases at the exact same moment the healing influence of the Lifeweb ceases.

And then you see a vision, which you know is from the Force, or Lifeweb, of a sheet filled with animals descending from the sky.

OOC: Does this mean I am successfully healed?  IF so, I give fervent thanks to the LORD in prayer.

I quietly watch the vision as it unfolds, struck by the similarity to Peter's vision in the book of Acts...

OOC: Nope. No healing. The two events seem connected. You rejecting Palpatine and the lack of healing.

The sheet comes down, and you see the clean and unclean animals, and then you hear something like the Voice of the Lord, as interpreted by the Lifeweb...

"What I have declared clean, do you declare unclean?"

And then you see Palpatine talking to Anakin...explaining that the Force can stop death....its a scene from the movie...and they are walking off the sheet amidst the animals.

I use my Sight to discern the nature of this vision, whether it be a true vision from the LORD (which I am quite skeptical of), or instead a deception from the twisted and poisoned portions of the Lifeweb (which I strongly suspect)...

Its the LIfeweb trying to be as honest as it knows how to relay information.  It is manifestly not from the area of the Lifeweb which has been Maddened by the slow awakening of Cthulhu.

You're able to see the difference very, very clearly as even a slight look That Way toward Madness with your Sight leaves you rocking back and forth on the ground with a whimpering migraine. Minutes pass before you can regain your feet again, and there is something in your own thoughts that feels untrustworthy.

(Why yes, that's Insanity Points! Yea! What could be more fun than a Massively Powerful Telekinetic Immortal who's Plain Nuts? Or headed that way.)

In other words, its the foolishness of preachers.

The Lifeweb hovers before you, split in two, and a third part of it infected by Madness.  And the wound in your shoulder is like the wound that cut the Lifeweb almost in two.

I ponder, and pray.

:: Dearest LORD, please guide and guard me now, I pray.  I do not trust this Lifeweb, which has been tainted to an unknown degree.  I do not even trust my own thoughts, for even glimpsing this evil from afar is an unclean experience.  But I trust your Word, which has told me that "Ye shall know them by their fruits."  And I have seen the fruits of the Dark Side, and know well that they are not the fruits of the Spirit.  Help me now to discern the way that you would have me walk, for I trust in your Word.  And please heal me now, mind and body and soul.  I pray in Jesus' Name...  Amen. ::

You get no answer.

You pray further and still no answer.

You pray through the night and still no answer.

Finally as the dawn rises, and you're weary beyond belief you see again the sheet drop from Heaven as the Lifeweb tries to talk to you.

"What I have declared clean, is clean."

Now you're free to listen to the Lifeweb, or not.  But you realize you're not going to be healed any other way, except perhaps by a bactine tank, if that would work, and if you have time for that.  And you're not going to get another answer from Heaven, possibly because this is not a world with miracles, or possibly because you're wrong.

Your next action?

I ponder my position.

I am not afraid to die, and I will not do evil by the say so of a vision from a Lifeweb that is known to be tainted.

The only certainty is the Word of the LORD, and the only certain source of that Word is Holy Scripture.

Holy Scripture says, "Ye shall know them by their fruits."

And I've seen the fruits of the Dark Si–...

I pause in my weariness, considering.

My Sight's impression of the Chancellor was not overly promising....

Lightning. A Crown of a Galaxy. A copy of Macchiavelli's ‘The Prince'. Lightsabre. A Dead and Decapitated Head.

But I don't actually know the deeds of the Dark Side in this universe, any more than I knew with any accuracy the deeds of the Jedi.  So what if their fruits were not evil in this universe?

:: Ring.  Access historical data banks pertaining to the Dark Side, and their deeds in this universe.  Analyze.  Are their ways good or evil, relative to Biblical morals?  Give examples used in your conclusion. ::

I ponder a few moments further, and get another inspiration.

:: Ring.  Change form to John Oakmaster, now. ::

And I look with interest to see if changing shape makes me whole again...

It doesn't.

The Ring queries: The answer is complex. 1. A significant segment of them believe themselves to be evil, thus according to the doctrine taught in the Bible that he who does a deed doubting is evil, they are evil.  2. Conforming to the theory proposed by the Bible, their actions, as all humans actions, seem to fall short of basic ethical standards, so by that standard they are evil.  However, by that standard, you are also evil.  And therefore you should not ‘pull the splinter from their eye before pulling the beam from their eye'.  OTOH, you are to ‘judge all things'. I do not' believe' these are contradictory, but the complication is too much for my processors. 3. They do seem to engage in actions that by the avowed standards of other political rulers are considered evil, however such actions tend to have on the whole more positive results or ‘fruit' than the actions of the political leaders who deplore the Sith.  To be more plain, most people are better off on a Sith run planet.  Also Sith seem less hypocritical. 4. Their powers tend to derive from Hate and Rage and Anger.  However, the Bible says ‘Be angry and sin not.' and humans are told to hate evil.  So the fundamental questio is ‘Is anger inherently evil, or is it a part of human nature that is potentially good?' It certainly seems from the example given of the Christ in the Temple that anger can be a positive good. 5. While infrequent, Sith are capable of healing. Jedi never.  Since Healing comes from the Lord, that would mean the Sith have this power from the Creator, if I understand the logics involved.  6. There is a higher level of deranged individuals in the Sith.  And a deranged Sith is often very obviously evil in a spectacular way.

The Ring gives you dozens of examples which support its points.  The symbol about Macchiavelli seems more clear.  M. is for doing harsh deeds and lying as needed for a ruler, but for a greater good.  The Sith agree.  They can be terrifically harsh and ruthless to hardcore rebels, but on the other hand, they can surprise with acts of gracious mercy to rebels who sincerely surrender.  One thing is clear, making an enemy of the Sith is very hazardous.

Deranged Sith often go on courses that end in self-destructive practises, but along the way kill LOTS of people.  Darth Vader would be a classic deranged Sith.

Sith have more than once used tactics similar to Solomon's ‘cut the baby in half' in dealing with their subjects.  Sith tend to believe that ‘war is ||||, you cannot refine it', and the best way to ensure peace and security is to make war so terrible and quick and destructive that 1. Peace is rapidly secured (instead of W's soft and friendly approach in Iraq, a Sith Lord would have burned Baghdad down, and then dared any terrorist to stick his head up. Peace would have been obtained in five weeks rather than in ten years.) and maintained by utter terror on the part of rebels. ‘The eyes of the king are messengers of death'—not sure if I got that quote from the Bible correct.

Again, leading a rebellion against the not deranged Sith Lord is likely to be the last mistake you make.

You still have the wound which mirrors the wound, and you realize now that you have another wound in your head which mirrors the Madness.  That is your Insight is tainted by Madness.  In some sense, you are the Lifeweb.

I consider thoughtfully, and wearily.

This Lifeweb may be one banana short of a bunch, thanks to the Madness.

But it was originally created by the LORD as an instrument for good.

Therefore, it is probably trying to do what it thinks is right, though the efforts and/or conclusion may be flawed.

The Sith don't strike me as very Cornelius-like.  But this Lifeweb wants me to seek Palpatine.

Peter-to-Cornelius?  I don't buy it.  But... Jonah-to-Nineveh, perhaps?  Palpatine certainly needs the LORD.  Perhaps I am called as an instrument to lead him from darkness to light.  Not from one side of the Force to another side of the Force... but from worship of self to worship of God.

It has been the Jedi raising their hand against me without cause, time and again.  Perhaps the Sith of this universe are different.

And if not, and the Lifeweb is wrong, or my interpretation is wrong?

Then... perhaps I am being called to meet with Palpatine in order to slay him, or die trying.

Either way would probably be better than dealing with evil-avatar-Jar-Jar or evil-avatar-Yoda.

And so I pray, and reach into the Lifeweb, seeking Palpatine...

It is not hard to find Palpatine.  There is a great deal of power in him.  Its not quite as easy as ‘find the location of the sun', but its heading in that direction.

You can feel his emotions. He is fearful and angry.

::Ah, so the Wayopener chooses to make himself known.  I  am afraid for the people of the Republic.  They are in my care, so many lives, so many dreams, and they so little realize how close to the precipice they stand.  And I fear for the future...no great new dreams will be made, no people that I coould understand live there if the Jedi's gambit fails.::

He's very cordial and charming  (2@7 Charisma).

::I am angry because I'm failing, because innocent weaklings who through no fault of their own will be slaughtered by th etrillions.  Because anger brings power, and I need power to do my job.  Because Yoda is an arrogant fool.::

He pauses, and calms himself easily.

::But if you wish to continue this conversation, visit my office. And fear not, I would not,e ven if I were the evil beast I glimpse in your thoughts, kill you. I would instead stop an assasin's blade with my own body if I must for the door you open  must stay closed.::

:: Death is nothing to be feared, if you possess what I possess.  And there is a path to true power that neither Sith nor Jedi possess.  If you would learn of such things, then I will come willingly, and share such things with you. ::

:: But the cost is great, Chancellor.  You just expressed your willingness to give up your own life, and it is written that this is indeed the price of such power.  Would you still have me come? ::

If he still wishes to host me, than I brief the Kzinti cubs, doing what I can to make any provision I am able for them.  I bid them farewell, in case I am unable to return to them, and share my regard and respect for them, and encourage them.  I briefly share with them the secret of Way of the true Warrior, the Gospel, and I upload copies of Holy Scripture and supporting works sufficient to instruct any that would read them, and follow the Word.  And I check to see if they are able to let me back into the embassy after I depart.

And then, I go to meet this Chancellor...

There is no answer.  He truly has stopped talking to you.

The cubs listen closely as you tell them of the Gospel, and assure you they can let you back into the embassy.

"The true Warrior can conquer Death." Is what they get from what you tell them, and yes, they like that, and regard it as a worthy goal.

"Indeed.  And the power to conquer Death is through the Redeemer, the LORD Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conqueror of Sin and Death.  I have left copies of the Holy Scripture here, and you can read it as you grow, and learn more of these things.  Tell your father and your people of these things, and tell them that the Wise One earnestly charged you to deliver this information into their hands safely."

I change shape into the adult Kzinti, and after a last farewell, make my way to see the Chancellor...

You go to see the Chancellor.

Its a bit of a difficulty with the guards as they were expecting a Human, but not a Kzinti.  But that is quickly dealt with, and you're let in to the Chancellor's palatial,if sparsely decorated private office.

He gets up from behind his desk to greet you.

"This room, its shape, its backdrop, the way it all converges on me at my huge desk with the chair....its not very subtle.  In any system of governance, someone must give way to someone else.  This room is meant to make it easier for others to give way to my self.  But, a useful phrase from the ancient archives...'one must never believe one's own propaganda'."

He smiles.

"I assume that is part of the reason you stand before me as Kzinti when I clearly sensed a Human."

He reaches out to shake your hand, and you realize you can't read his emotions.

I regard him with my Sight as I first see him, and accept his handshake.

:: Ring... Record this form over memory slot ‘Jacob'. ::

"Well, the Jedi were kind enough to forge a hologram of me holding a light sabre, and proclaim me as a Sith Lord Assassin on the Jedi Temple datanet.  It seems that I have been labeled as Most Wanted, capture and return body, dead or alive, with a Bounty of 200,000 Imperials.  So choosing a different form seemed prudent.  I must say, their hospitality left something to be desired."

I regard him quietly.

"You choose to hide your emotions from me now, but you at least have not attacked me as they have.  Indeed, you have even invited me to visit, and to converse with you.  What therefore would you converse about?  Would you take counsel together?  Would you tell me of things I currently know not?  Would you have me tell you of things you currently know not?  Or would you prefer some combination thereof?"

It is as it was, but with the addition of a telescope.

::Recorded.::

He chuckles.

"Treacherous they can be.  They think this wisdom, a morality above the morality of the common."

"All of the above. It is rare that a leader, do not think I ask for pity for I well knew the cost, has a chance to openly converse.  But first I desire a way to stop this Madness, and second I desire a way to convince you to join the Sith in truth.  There are, of course, third, and fourth, and fifth.

I would that the Suncat go forth in his glory, with the Kzinti supporting him in their Rage, and put an end to this Thing that threatens my galaxy. My people.

I hope I do not shock you when I say I would kill you now if I thought it would save the Republic.  But it would merely make matters worse.  Already, I have many reports of insanity...wives hacking their husbands to bits.  A Star Destroyer commander commanding his crew to sing ‘I'm a little teapot' and then blowing the ship up.  It will get worse until all that we think of as sentient life succumbs to Madness."

You can feel his grief and fear.

"What do you know of this Madness, and of how it may be stopped?"

"A very long time ago, before the Human Empire, there were many smaller, feuding empires.  Humans have many faults, but we brought a peace to the galaxy.

And there were Old Gods living in the darknesses between the stars, far from any sun, so that it was unwise to come out of hyperspace except in a solar system.

And in that day, there was no Sith nor Jedi, just Forceusers.  Some truly ancient forceusers from the birth of the Era of the Many Empires had prophesied that one of these Old Gods would find his way into a star system, would grow great and unstoppable, but that the Suncat, a forceuser of unparralleled power, would come and destroy him with rage and power.  Most thought this creature would be Kzinti although I don't know why.

In any case, the Kzinti were mighty in that day.

But even then, there were strains in the community of forceusers. Some favoring this approach, and others that approach.  All agreed that getting more powerful was important as it offered new horizons for sentient life, and as preparation for the Suncat.

A treacherous and conniving group, called the Jedi, broke with the community.  And Old One had disovered a crack into things, and we found that the Old Gods we feared were but a shadow of their true power.  We had trembled at the sound of the footsteps, now we fled before their foot.

The Force commanded us to fight back.  And so we went there, hoping to meet our leader, the Suncat.  But Jedi treachery stranded our spaceships, and they took the glory of the fight, and used that to push themsleves to further heights, and to create the Human Empire.

So it was not all bad.

The Sith were the counter response, the backlash.  The Jedi emphasized certain parts of human nature, we would emphasize others.

As to how it may be stopped....I have plans for a battlestation of enormous power, unstoppable.  But that is for the future.  What I have now is a Star Destroyer with a prototype laser cannon, awkward, bulky, but of truly world-destroying power.

I would like to take it to the Enemy.  Not all of his power is non-physical.  But if I leave Coruscant, the Jedi left behind move against me, and I will be declared outlaw."

"However, neither is all of the Enemy's power physical.  Would the physical power you could bring to bear be enough, if you could use it against the Enemy?"

"If the only obstacle to defeating this threat is the need for you to be in two places at once, it may be possible, after a fashion.  I could adopt your form as easily as I did this Kzinti form.  But you would have to instruct me well on all I would need to know to successfully impersonate you for the period of time you require."

"I think it may. If I can destroy the Great Machine, that might be enough.  But that leaves this Enemy to come back for another age to ultimately deal with."

He thinks, and then nods.

"To someone of your idealistic nature this will be disturbing..."

And then he begins a course in how to be a ‘good' Chancellor, in other words, on how to be charming and at the same time deadly scary by turns, and where the bodies are buried.

And boy howdy, are there a lot of bodies.

"You will have to be polite and gracious to Parliamentarian Razou of the Morikom, and ask after the health of his daughter, not letting him realize you know he is poisoning his own daughter as an example to his other children not to mess with him.  And before you say...why don't I stop it?"

Rage like an electric current slams past you.  And his light saber is glowing in his hand.

"I would, if I could. I'd chop the beast in thrice, but then his supporters would claim I did it for political reasons, and there would be Revolution and War.  And it is true, I would do it for political reasons.  But the political and the personal are intertwined. I hate him because he is a foe to good government, a source of corruption on a massive scale, and because he is a vile monster."

He puts his saber up, and walks away, and then turns back to you.  The fury is gone like it never was.

"I have a thousand more such cases.  Some are worse than that, much worse.  Others, thank the Force, are not as horrible.  But the Republic Senate is filled with minor and major corruption.  Everyone except the most innocent or noble is touched. Do you know why I liked Jar Jar Binks so much? He was a good being, truly good, so rare to find an innocent soul in my circles. Now, Master Oak, can you bear the burden of this knowledge, and STILL SMILE at these ....beings?"

I consider, and nod.

"For such a cause, I can.  I serve the One God, the Creator of All, including the Force, and the only source of True Power.  And Holy Scripture records events where it is necessary to deceive the agents of the Enemy.  He shall give me the strength required."

"I also know what it is to be an actor, and to play a role in character.  But I know that you would not invite just anyone to impersonate you, and wield your power in your name.  You perceive clearly my nature and my unconcealed thoughts, and know that I am not a threat."

"Therefore, I will need to learn the skills to prevent even the most powerful Jedi from perceiving my thoughts, and piercing my disguise.  And if I must be deadly scary, I will need to learn how to handle a light sabre without cutting my own appendages off, and how to wield enough lightning to keep the vile monsters in place, and how to read thoughts as easily as you do."

"Is it the case that you have an apprentice?  If so, then I must also be skilled enough that I will not be immediately and obviously discovered, and unmasked."

He smiles accepting your points, you think.

"You speak of the Most Ancient Teachings with assurance.  Very few in these days have even heard of them, let alone know them, and none speak with authority."

He nods.

"I see you have no desire for power, and I also see that you have been influenced by the propaganda of the Jedi to see me as some sort of vile beast.  Let me ask you a question....if I were to be dreadful, why would I slay the Jedi children?  I assure you, within an hour in my presence, they would be my fast friends, and within a couple of weeks, they would all be Sith."

He smiles full of charm, and then jabs a finger at you.

"You must be able to do likewise. To walk into a room full of important nobles, and without saying a word, have them all quiet and turn to listen to you....and make it look easy."

He sits you down at a chair, and begins to flick probes that are slightly painful at your brain.

"Pain is the quickest teacher, and we have little time. A mindshield is easy, but commanding attention is hard."

Ten minutes later, you are drenched in sweat, and you have a pounding headache, but you have a 1@2 Mindshield.

He walks back to his desk, touches a button, and two sabers appear. One, the bent hilt of the Sith, the other a Jedi saber.

"Choose either one." He says cryptically. "No one but you and one other knows I am Sith, so it matters not to the others.  And yes, I have an apprentice yet. Young Skywalker is coming along.  Count Dooku...it is a part of the bargain each Sith makes.  One enters on the path to becoming a Sith agreeing that your life may be forfeit for the greater good of increased knowledge.  So, I might kill him in the future as your dreams tell me I would, or he might kill me. But Dooku will not be surprised to see me with a Jedi saber."

He walks around the desk, and stretches a hand out.

"Rage powers the lightning.  Only fury can call it forth."

And he puts his hand back  down.

"And it often costs to throw it."

"I have the Holy Scriptures, and other documents explaining them.  If you would know true power, and how to conquer death, then I would share such knowledge with you."

-=-

"It is not the Jedi that led me to such an impression.  In another universe, your counterpart is indeed such a vile monster.  It took time for me to discern that this universe differs from that one in a number of important ways."

-=-

I pick up the Jedi light sabre, and carefully turn it on.

OOC: What color is the blade?  Is it green??? :D

"What are the differences between the two, other than the shape of the hilt and the color of the blade?"

-=-

"What does it cost to throw the lightning?"

-=-

"How does one read thoughts as easily as you do?"

"Yes, I would learn such, to judge for myself if there is wisdom and power in what you say." He listens attentively, and asks intelligent questions.

He laughs in response to your comment.

"Then I must have been very stupid as well."

Of course, it's green. :)

"Sometimes it twists the flesh, and sometimes the mind. Rage can be addictive."

He smiles just a tiny bit.

"Fifty years of practise. And even then my master said I had a gift for it."  And he studies you. "But yes, you need to know this power.  As you can no doubt imagine, it makes politics consideraby easier, taking things from totally impossible to merely terribly hard."

And with that, he begins to teach you empathy.

"You have to  have sympathy, fellow feeling, even for the most base of sentients, the most disgusting of fellows...you have to have empathy for him to read his mind.  So on the one hand, I hate with a high passion the Parliamentarian we spoke of earlier, and on the other hand, I have compassion for his situation.

This sounds like the God you speak of.  He is Justice and Love at the same time.  And if you cannot love the vile beast at least to having sympathy for him, you cannot read his mind.  Other than that, love is a distraction."

When he expresses interest in learning about the Holy Scriptures, I upload them into his computer systems, along with supporting works to help explain them.

-=-

OOC: Woo Hoo!!!!!!!! :D

-=-

"Should I try it now?  Should you wield your sabre for me to use as a relatively safe target?"

If he answers affirmatively, I listen carefully to any last instructions.

Then I mentally prepare myself in prayer...

:: ‘Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.' ::

I reflect upon all that the LORD has done for me, and upon all the ways that I have fallen short, returning evil for good, faithlessness for faithfulness...

:: ‘Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.::

I feel the rage begin within, a tangible thing, a thing I normally reject and suppress...

:: ‘O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners' gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! 'Tis I deserve Thy place –' ::

The rage within builds into a crescendo, and I stretch forth my hand, focusing upon his light sabre as the target...

-=-

:: ‘Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.' ::

Afterward, I take a deep breath, and silently thank the LORD for His forgiveness and mercy, when I deserve nothing but His wrath.

The line between righteous and unrighteous anger is a fragile thing in a fallen creature.  All too many are the times I have experienced the latter when my own goals have been thwarted or my own self abused, and all too few are the times I have experienced the former when the LORD is dishonored.

I look up at him, and nod.

"Indeed, it is as you said.  ‘It often costs to throw it.'"

-=-

I attempt to put his empathy into practice in reading his thoughts and emotions...

OOC: Was I healed when I went to seek him?  Or are we going through all of this with me sporting an obvious near-mortal wound? :o

You knock him head over heels with the lightning despite his saber up in defense.  He gets up with clear surprise on his face, and then begins to clap.

"Well done, my apprentice, well done."

You're shaking, and about to fall on the ground in exhaustion, but the perfect feeling of certainty of rigtheousness, it beckons to try one more time....

Limits: Only against an evil  or safe target. One minute preparation. Difficult Stamina check afterwards. Simple Willpower check afterwards vs. Continuing in unrighteous manner.  Psionic Attack. Range 20 yards, cone of effect. Damage Lethal. Contingency damage, if target fails Stamina check, target is incapacitated for one turn as his muscles twitch.  Contingency Str Simple Check. Target may be moved at caster's will up to three hundred pounds of force backwards in a wide cone.

================

When he drops his shields, his emotions are easy to read.  He has a great inner clarity of emotions (most peoples emotions are muddied), and his emotions are very strong.

=====
You have yet to be healed.  He offers to do so, and it almost works.  It reduces the damage greatly, but he's not able to fully heal you.

I resist the urge to repeat the lightning, knowing all too well the lure of being wise in my own conceits, and of worshipping myself as self-appointed Judge and Executioner.

I nod slowly, and then regard my instructor thoughtfully after he complements my effort.

"Thank you.  But I had heard that with the Sith, there is one master and one apprentice.  Is it not so?"

-=-

OOC: What are his emotions?

-=-

"Thank you for your efforts to heal me.  Please teach me what you just did..."

-=-

"How do you recommend that I learn all the details of what I will need to know to impersonate you?  Do you have data files that will brief me?  Do you wish to instruct me verbally?  Or would a telepathic transfer of the information you wish to give me be the most effective?"

-=-

"You have kindly provided me with this light sabre, but I still need instruction on proper technique..."

"It is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule.  All of us are mature.  Its not like I'm going to be having to drag you or Count Dooku out of bars like I'm afraid my master had to do to me when I was sixteen and convinced that I was the coolest lady's man in the quadrant."

Rage, Hate, Fear, Curiosity, Protectiveness, Watchfulness are all emotions he feels clearly, or states of mind he enters into often.

"Healing for a Sith is a manifestation of the Will to Live.  I merely coax and fan your will to live into focusing on healing you, and do so most energetically.  Be cautious, fail at this, and a person can simply fall dead at your feet from lack of this vital will that burns in all of us.  It is a flame most do not even recognize is there.  Snuff it out, and I'm told you can kill without pain at a great distance.  My master's master was said to be able to kill from orbit.  Unfortuntely, the learning is lost."

He frowns at your wound.

"I do not understand why it does not heal!"  He's genuinely angry at himself and he walks away smacking his hands together, and stomping a bit.  "It should heal.  Its not that grievous a wound.  I've healed worse."

He instantly calms, and shows you the fire inside, a small flame that burns unceasing.

::Now direct its attention to a wound.::

======

He instructs you verbally on over a thousand cases of major corruption in the Senate (the Senate is huge), and on  other factors.

========

"We don't have time.  So I will break the rules, and show you the High Master's secrets."

With that, he shows the traditional way of fighting, of slash and cut.

"This is adequate.  But the High Master Nard'quen pointed out that this was truly the wrong usage for the weapon.  Slender, massless...."

Palpatine walks away from you, and douses his saber.  He's a good twenty feet away....and suddenly he's running at you, full tilt, and then as you feel fear....click-hiss....his saber is on, and its raising and he's lunging from twelve feet away...and his blade tip stops two inches from your heart.

This all happens in far less time than it takes to read it.

"That my apprentice is a technique I have not taught to even Dooku."

"I saw a vision of of a Sith from another universe, or perhaps from a possible future of this universe, that gave me this wound.  And I saw a vision of the Lifeweb with a similar wound.  It is possible that they are connected, and that the Lifeweb can only be called upon to heal me to the degree that it is whole.  There is Madness, and there is also the sharp divide between Jedi and Sith, so the Lifeweb is divided and wounded as well."

"Perhaps my coming to see you has helped in some way to start bridging this divide, and allow for my partial healing."

I listen to his instruction, and nod.

"I see the flame inside..."

I attempt to direct healing toward the wound...

-=-

As he briefs me on the Senate and other matters, I request to see visuals (and other relevant data if available) about those being discussed, so that I may recognize them when encountered.  I also ensure that Ring can see them and access the data, so that Ring can identify and brief me when I encounter them.

-=-

When he is to begin instructing me in the light saber, I consider for a moment.

"Hmmm.  If I am to practice such movement to stand in your place, I had better get used to using your form..."

I change forms to Palpatine...

After his final demonstration, I blink at the swiftness of his light saber attack.

"Wow.  How do you move so quickly?  When the Jedi attacked me in their temple, I also noticed that their movements with the light saber seemed very quick.  Your movements are so quick and lethal, whereas mine would be fatally slow and lumbering.  What is the secret of such speed, and agility, and grace?"

"If you are right, then we would need a Jedi and a Sith to cooperate in healing you. I...think I may know just the person."  He walks over to his desk, and pages something on it.

"Ask Anakin Skywalker of the Jedi to attend me at his convenience, if you would."  Some voice replies, either a guard or his secretary.

You try to heal, and you see the vision of the torn Lifeweb barring your way.

1@1 Basic Saber Form.

He nods.

"It is a way of speeding up one's thoughts.  More advanced students can speed up their body as well....but we have so little time."

He shows you how to speed your thoughts.  Its relatively simple.

Psi Speed Thoughts RS/10 1@2.  Your thoughts go from 2-11 times faster.  While this does not speed the body, it does eliminate any need for hesitation as you think what to do.

Even still, his repeated demonstration comes as an unstoppable attack.

"More training, yes. Faster thinking, yes. Temporal manipulation of body energies, yes.  But foremost....the light saber is a fencing weapon.  You can lunge from twelve feet at least.  It is not sporting, nor is it useful as a way to develop stronger Force powers.  It is instead, purely a technique to kill, and to kill quicklyh.  But this is a deep secret. Even a non Force trained individual could slay many Jedi Knights with this secret."

Second...

Your Ring does absorb the data.

Palpatine is visibly startled and then laughs with delight when you change to his form.  You can feel his very strong desire to learn how to do that.

"Even if I am not yet advanced enough, could you teach me the technique for speeding the body, so that I may master it in due time?"

-=-

"This lethal technique is powerful.  What about for non-lethal situations?  What do you do when the need is to incapacitate without harm?  Or even when the need is to be less obvious, more subtle?"

-=-

"If Anakin is coming to see me, should I be revealing myself to him in your form?"

"No. You have enough to worry about now.  Truly I'm overburdening you, but we have no choice."

=====

"I'll be giving you your final test in that in about thirty minutes."

======

"Yes. Yes. I think so.  You're going to need help."

"What is happening in thirty minutes?"

"How long will I need to stand in your place?  What broad goals should I be trying to achieve or maintain in your absence?"

"Does Anakin know that you are Sith?"

"Anakin was one of the Jedi that attacked me.  If he discovers that I am the same person that he was pursuing, will he still help me on your say so?"

"A meeting with the Parliamentarian."

"At least a week."  He gives you a sour look. "Try not to let things totally fall apart while I'm gone.'

"He knows subconsciously."

"Even the Sith do not know all the ways of the future, Master Oak.  But I think it is a good bet."

I grin in response.

"Fair enough.  But on what basis should I be making decisions?  What broad goals or principles or vision do you have for me to keep in mind?  If I don't know what the target is, it will be hard for me to aim for it, much less shepherd the galaxy toward it..."

"Peace and order."

I nod.

"Understood.  And may the Force, and more importantly, the One God that created it and all else, be with us."

Anakin comes in, and has his saber out in a trice, and is warning the Chancellor to back up away from you.

The chancellor chuckles.

"Master Oak is a friend of mine.  Perhaps you can put your saber up for a second, and let him explain."

Anakin gives you a skeptical glance, but does as suggested, taking a stance that suggests he's not happy.

I nod in acknowledgement.

"Long ago, the One God, Creator of All, brought this universe into being, and created the Lifeweb, known to you as the Force.  However, He forbade the use of the Lifeweb to reach into other realms.  But one did so, and so came the Old Gods."

"The Madness comes, Anakin Skywalker, and threatens this entire universe once again."

"When I approached the Jedi to bring warning and take counsel together, I was attacked without cause.  The Jedi even placed a Bounty with a forged hologram of me wielding a red light saber."

"However, others, rather than attacking me, have heard the danger, and have taken warning.  Among them are the Kzinti, and the Chancellor."

"The Lifeweb is damaged.  The Madness lurks just outside the door to this universe, seeking entry.  Those who would stand against the Madness, and for the Force and the One God that created it, must stand together."

I show him the wound.

"The Chancellor thought that you might be able to help heal me... and to help heal the Lifeweb as well."

"And the Chancellor has requested me to take his place here for a short time, to preserve the peace and order of the Republic, while he travels in secret to personally lead an attack against the Madness, using a secret weapon that he must personally supervise."

"I believe that he hopes you will not only be able to heal me, but to assist me as I stand in his place, that his absence at this critical time of threatening Madness does not cause the Republic to descend into anarchy."

I look at the Chancellor.

"Would you say that was a reasonable summary, Chancellor?"

"I find it hard to believe the Jedi would attack without cause." Anakin objects, but the Chancellor replies...

"Check your feelings. This man has no shadow of deception in his words. The Jedi are known to leap to conclusions on occassion."

"All right, Chancellor. If you say so, and I do sense his benign intentions...."

With that Anakin moves to heal you....

And you feel as if the wound comes together, as if the Lifeweb comes together, but then falls apart. There is still something lacking.

I look from one to the other.

"Can you please try again?"

As he does so, I attempt to do so at the same time, using the technique the Chancellor taught me...

You feel the Jedi calm, and the Sith rage to live, and it almost merges, but there is still something missing from the Lifeweb. And it occurs to you that you're not just the victim, but you're also here for a Purpose to heal.  That something more than will and rage are needed.  And you reach out with Love, and find the Lifeweb merging back inside you, and this impulse travelling outwards.

Its slow, you've just started a pebble rolling.  After all, as powerful as all three of you are, compared to the force of Life in the Republic, you're barely nothing.  But at the same time, you see the pebble gather another pebble.

And in your mind you see the chancellor realize something...to some degree with his fabulous skills, he has deceived you.  He could be, and at times has been a monster.  Not as bad as the one in the movies, but he is not righteous, and sometimes not even decent.

And he sees that he has a choice, now given greater light, he will become as evil as your darkest fears, or choose a new master than his own will.

And then there is a blazing light inside him.  And a second later, so too in Anakin.

"Newborn." Palpatine says stumbling weakly away to a chair even as you feel the air dance in the room under waves of telekinetic force.

"I...need to go with you, master." Anakin says to Palpatine. "Brother." He says to you. "I...am the Suncat."

"‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.'"

I look from one to the other with thanksgiving.

"Yes, we are brothers, Anakin, and Chancellor.  We are all brothers, all sons of the Father, the One God, the Almighty, Creator of all.  We have all been disobedient rebels against Him, seeking instead our own ways, and worthy of death.  But that price was paid through the substitutionary death of the Son and Savior, Jesus Christ.  And we have all been offered an Amnesty, that those who would leave off their rebellion and turn back to the One God would be saved from that sentence of death."

"If we would go forth to seek deliverance from this Madness, it must not be in our own strength, for it is in the strength of the One God alone that we have hope."

"I have already given the Chancellor a copy of the Holy Scriptures that testify of these things, and I will give you a copy as well.  Study them well, Anakin, and Chancellor, for in them is the Way of Life."

I stretch forth my senses to see what the state of the Lifeweb is now.

"Chancellor, you had said you wanted Anakin to assist me here.  But as the Suncat, is it not his destiny to go forth against the Madness?"

"And what of the evil avatars that have gone forth, currently in the forms of Jar Jar Binks and of Master Yoda?"

They join you in rejoicing with Palpatine being more quiet and thoughtful,and Anakin saying ‘I knew something was wrong, I just couldn't figure it out. Things make sense now.'

The Lifeweb is ...you started a few pebbles rolling, and they are possibly going to start an avalanche.  Where they go, they leave wholeness behind.  But the Lifeweb is still largely damaged.

The Chancellor nods and agrees to take Anakin after a moment's thought that turnsto prayer.

"Yes, I have great need of him. As do you, but my need is greater." Palpatine seems more somber, and humble, but less afraid.

"Master Oak, I would avoid them as well as I could."

And with that, the two of them make their way to the Chancellor's private spaceship on top of the building, and they prepare to leave.

I pray with them.

I briefly wrestle with whether or not I should go with them, but a memory from the movies springs to mind, when Luke went with the Endor strike team to deactivate the generator, and was sensed by Vader.

"I shouldn't have come.  I'm endangering the mission."

If I can sense the Discordant Vector, it can probably sense me.  It certainly knew how to keep tracking me down to kill me.  So I indeed need to be left behind.  Of course, being left behind with Jar Jar running around loose won't be much fun, considering that if he can sense my Vector, he can pierce my disguises.

"If Jar Jar becomes too great a threat, what options do I have as Chancellor to detain him, a Senator, and to keep him sedated during your absence?  How would you proceed?"

I check for Vectors...

"Are there others that I can seek counsel and assistance from?  Are there any access codes I may have need of, for computers or for any other resources?  Is there a way for us to communicate with one another at need?  How do I access your schedule?  Where do you eat and sleep?  Is there anything else I need to know?"

I shake each of their hands earnestly, and embrace them.  With Anakin...

:: Ring... Record this form over memory slot ‘Esther'. ::

And... I give each of them a penny.

"Please carry these with you at all times.  With them, I may be able to locate you at need."

I regard them both with thanksgiving, reflecting on how different these two brothers are from another universe...

"Brothers, guard well this new treasure within your hearts, for the Enemy shall seek to snatch it away, and our flesh is still rebellious.  Read well the Holy Scriptures, and the notes I have highlighted for new believers, and be diligent to put what you read into practice."

I raise my hand in benediction.

"‘Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.'"

After they leave, I pray, and then check the Chancellor's schedule to see what duties and perils lie immediately ahead...

You are given the basic information, and a list of the Chancellor's powers.

One of the is of particular interest...

Article Fourteen: The Chancellor may, without trail, detain any individual of Senate grade or High Guild grade for up to one month on the assertion of a Threat to the Republic.  He may do so with ordinary citizens up to one year.  Upon making this determination, the Chancellor must report to the Security Committee, but is not required to state his reasons.

Your next responsibility is to go to the Eats and Drinks Party for Parliamentarian Razou.  ...'he must not get what he wants, but you cannot make a scene either....' is the Chancellor's notes.

I look over the list of powers, and nod.

"All right.  Ah, one other important question.  Suppose that someone detects that I am not you, whether through Jar Jar or through other means.  Can you give me some irrefutable token to demonstrate that my standing in your place has been done by your orders, so that I am not deemed guilty of usurping your position illegally, nor of causing your disappearance through violent or illegal means?"

OOC: (Q1) Did I get Anakin's form?  (Q2) Did they take the pennies?  (Q3) Will I be able to communicate with them at need? (Q4) Did I get any Vector information? (Q5) Are there any others I can seek counsel or assistance from?

-=-

After they have departed, I pray for wisdom and for blessed interactions, and I pray for those that have gone forth against the Madness.

Then I look over the information available concerning the party and those attending, particularly Razou, both from the Chancellor (notes and briefing) and from the computer records.  I make sure to get an overview not only of the individuals, but also of the peoples that they represent, and the various political situations.

I look to see if there are any recordings made of similar gatherings, so that I may observe details about how the Chancellor conducts himself in such settings.

I also cross-reference to find out available information about the non-human attendees, with a particular eye toward identifying useful abilities for morphing.  My Ring's six form storage slots may be occupied, but I could choose to overwrite for a sufficiently compelling alternative form...

:: Ring.  I know that you can telepathically communicate with me, and that you are forbidden from reading the thoughts of others.  Do you have the capability to prevent others from reading my thoughts, like a telepathic shield? ::

I also ensure that I know the layout of the building, so that I can come and go with confidence.

And at the appointed time, I proceed to the party...

"No."

Yes, yes, with difficulty (remember how Vader had to comm with the Emperor), Yes, and No.

You don't have much time. Razou is regardded as a reformer and an honest man. In actuality, he's just a better thief.  If you attack him, his honest friends will go ballistic thinking the corrupt Coruscant can't handle the truth.  If you give him what he wants, a 50% increase in price on Star Destroyers, others who produce them as well will do likewise, and you'll end up with less SD than planned for.

The Chancellor seems to have a gift. He walks into a crowded room, and within ten seconds everyone has stopped chatting and is listening for every word he says in his soft, friendly, and witty voice.

You don't have more time than that for studying.

There are Republic Navy officers present of Admiral Ackbar's race.

::Theoretically a static field of white noise could be transmitted to your brain, and have such an effect. This is untested, although largely safe.::

You don't have time to memorize th ebuilding, but your ring does.

And so you're fashionably late outside the double doors of a party filled with about a hundred beings....a few attendants trail you.

OOC: Just a bare "no"?  Any elaboration?  What was his expression or reaction like when he said it?

I quickly cross reference if there are any other producers of SDs that will be attending the party.

Then I stretch out my clairvoyant and telepathic senses to get an overview of any prominent thoughts or emotions that stand out in the crowd.  After several moments of this...

:: Ring.  Commence test of static field telepathic shield, duration ten seconds, now. ::

I attempt to continue my surveillance through those ten seconds, consciously counting to ten on my fingers.

:: Ring.  Did my mental or telepathic abilities suffer any type of impairment during the activation of the telepathic shield? ::

If there seem to be no ill effects from the telepathic shield, I activate it.

I pray in preparation as I make my way to the double doors.  And when the double doors open, I regard those present through my Sight as I take in the scene before me...

OOC: He is in a rush, as you are. He does have an expression of regret, but you're asking for the impossible.

There are no other SD producing planetary reps there.  Might be spies, tho'.

You instantly feel a downgrade in your telepathic abilities due to the shield's impermeability (partial), and the distraction.  In a way, they're the same thing, but not.

Razou...a crown, a bloody dagger, a wired on halo, and a dead child.  His supporters have a variety of things...Razous, shields, pitchforks predominate.  The Rep Navy folk have for the older a SD, a captain's hat, another fish; the other has lasers, and dead humans.

Right behind Razou is one of his sons (family resemblance, specially the chin) and he has a light saber.

No one has silenced yet. They still chatter, unaware you're there.

:: Dearest LORD, please guard and guide me now, I pray.  Please bless my interactions, and help me to be a blessing.  And please open the hearts of these people to turn to you, and live.  I pray in Jesus' Name...  Amen. ::

I stand a few moments longer, observing these beings that has not yet observed me...

:: Ring.  Analyze interaction patterns of Chancellor in previous recordings of similar gatherings.  Recommend what groups I should approach first that would be most consistent with those patterns.  Identify those individuals as I approach, with brief summary data. ::

People began to turn your way after you pray.

You observe that there is a fair scattering of non-humans, but yes, this is a Human Empire.  And pretty much everyone wears multi-layered and individualistic clothing.  Compared to back home people here are clothes horses.

-Largest group nearest you, and pause before meeting them to say hello at a distance to someone who speaks to you from another group.

I make my way toward the largest group nearest to me, greeting any from afar that speak to me, using a pace and demeanor similar to observed recordings.

As I approach, I observe the Sight symbols of those in this group, and digest any data Ring gives me...

Time to roll dice...

They respond with pleasure at your presence, warmth, and easy laughter.  By now everyone in the room has taken note of you.

1@2 Command Attention Discreetly Body Skill (this would probably fall under Posture or some form of Leadership.)

They are according to the Sight and the Ring, true believers in the wonderfulness of Razou and his plans for their planet.  Or as P.T. Barnum might say...'there's a sucker born every minute.'

I meet and greet and mix with each group in a similar manner to that exhibited in the recordings, eventually making my way over to Razou's group with timing similar to what the Chancellor would have done.

"Ah, dear friends, well met.  Please forgive my delay, but I have been monitoring some rather extraordinary events of late..."

"Really, does it have to do with the economic hardships that we face, the increased costs to make Star Destroyers?"  Razou asks with a sharkish smile while his son steps to your right in your peripheral vision.

You feel the son probing at you with his mind.

The others in the crowd wait eagerly for your conversation.

OOC: As I work my way through the groups to my current position, do I have a chance to mingle with the Mon Calamari?  If touching the nice one (shaking hands, etc.) is within appropriate parameters, then I try to acquire his form via Ring, replacing the multilegged amphibious creature I previously had...

I add my own telepathic shielding skill as an extra layer of protection.

"I'm afraid that the hardships that we potentially face are far more fundamental, far more threatening, and indeed, far more ancient than that."

"The topic of Star Destroyers is certainly apropos, but it is the merest scratching of the surface.  You are no doubt aware of the incident involving the collision of ‘Might of the Republic' with Orbital Factory YF92?"

"Er yes.." You've thrown him off his planned attack.

OOC: Did I get the Mon Calamari form successfully?  Were there any other non-human forms that I interacted with that possess interesting abilities, such as the amphibious capability of the Mon Calamari?

"Computer error would seem to be the cause.  But this is hardly an isolated incident...  The cause of the closing of the G'togoric Stock Exchange?  Computer errors rose to an unacceptable 1 in 1 Terraflops operations."

"Given our dependance upon technology, such unreliable behavior is alarming, and anything that could cause such unreliability would certainly be a grave threat to our Republic."

"However, even that threat merely scratches the surface.  How did the recent Jedi Council News Release read?"

"‘The Red Lights continue to glow, inspiring acts of violence and insanity among the weak-minded, but we encourage the wise to ignore them.'"

I look toward Razou's son, the probing one carrying the light saber.

"Is it not so?"

Shaking hands is not appropriate, but touching fingertip to fin is.  You acquire the form of the Mon Calamari.

"Yes. yes, most troubling, but Chancellor, about ..." Razou tries to get things back on track as he sees them.

You look at the son, and after a second, he gives you a grave bow.

"It is so, Chancellor. I have counselled my, ah, several such. There thoughts seemed unusually disturbed. We have had to confine one friend of mine to the medical bay with sedatives."

You see a flash of irritation on Razou's face. He really does not care about his son's friend, or the stuff you're talking about.  But you can see the others in the crowd are considering what you say very attentively and with worried expressions.

I nod gravely.

"Unreliability in the technology we depend upon, and violence and insanity among the people.  And these things have been increasing.  Unchecked, they have the potential to pose a grave threat to order in our Republic."

"Thorough investigation has demonstrated that the threat is quite ancient... and that the power to stand against it is more ancient still.  We have obtained the ancient Scriptures that speak of the One God, the Almighty Creator of all, and how He can deliver us from the the evil, the madness, the corruption that threatens each of us individually, and all of us collectively."

"I am strongly considering making these writings publicly available, as well as commentaries for them, so that all who would take warning against the threat that engulfs us may find deliverance.  Would any of you be interested in obtaining them, dear friends?"

The people are interested, but puzzled.

What's this ‘ancient Scriptures' you speak of?  And a ‘Creator'?

Only a very few of the wisest of those who have secret knowledges of the deep past know of this, so you're telling people something they have never even heard hinted at before.

"Ah, yes.  These things have been all but forgotten, for only a very few of the wisest of those who have secret knowledges of the deep past know of this."

"Well then, let us begin at the beginning.  How did you, and I, and everything else that exists in our universe, come into being?"

"It always was." Says one person.  Another ventures out with "This is knowledge too deep for a normal mind to know."

But those are outliers.  Most of them simply shrug their shoulders to signify they have no clue.

I nod encouragingly at the outliers.

"It is true that a normal mind needs help to know the deepest knowledge.  That help comes from the ancient Scriptures, and from the One God."

"But let me ask you a question.  Suppose you landed upon a planet that you had never heard of before, and you found a droid there.  How would you think it got there?  Would you think that ‘it always was'?  Or would you think that someone designed it and created it?"

They agree that naturally someone would have built it, probably it survived from a crash that killed its owner.  This leads to a bit of back and forth about how likely such a droid would have gone insane in its long separation (yes, droids in my opinion need to be around humans or aliens.)

"Ah, fear not, for you indeed find that the droid had been there but a short time, and you are even able to find and rescue the injured owner from a crash site some short distance away."

"Now, let us consider the injured owner.  This owner has a far more intricate and marvelous design than any droid.  How do you think that the owner got there?  Would you think that ‘he always was'?  Or would you think that someone designed him and created him?"

Its almost comical.  They all blink, or pause.  Its clear that this is a thought none's had before.

"He should be made by something, perhaps a cloner..."

"But then who made the cloner? This is the Creator you speak of, right?" This last is Razou's son.

You see enlightenment spreading across their faces.  Well, except for Razou and the more violently inclined Mon Calamari.

"Yes, indeed.  This is the Creator I speak of."

I nod and smile approvingly.

"Ah, but how does this relate to our troubling present circumstances, you may wonder?  Well, there is more to this tale..."

"It turns out that the injured owner is indeed a clone.  After some investigation, it is discovered that he went rogue in the middle of a battle, committed treason, disobeyed direct orders, betrayed his commanders, killed his brethren, and stole the ship that eventually crashed.  What do you suppose should be done?"

"He should be executed." One man says softly, and there is a murmur of agreement.

"Indeed, such behavior is worthy of death."

"And indeed, dear friends, this story actually illustrates our own position before the One God."

I look upon them all sadly.

"Long ago, the Creator created all things, and with lawful, righteous, perfect authority, gave direct orders to his creatures.  But they treasonously disobeyed, and treasonously rebelled.  They wished to follow their own wills, and worship themselves."

"And since that time, all of creation, and everyone in it, has been under just sentence of death, and indeed all now tends toward death and decay and corruption and rebellion.  And the rebellious creatures, generation upon generation, has thrust knowledge of the Creator and His Commandments aside, until it has been all but lost in the mists of time."

"In this universe, He explained Reality to us, and our moral duties, and the Lifeweb He had created for us to use, which you know of as the Force. But He forbade the use of the Lifeweb to reach into other realms, but one did so, and so came a powerful evil Madness, seeking to warp all of creation into madness."

I sigh, and look at them soberly.

"Our position, under just sentence of death, would be completely helpless... except for one thing..."

"Complete and utter balderdash!" Razou snaps. "It is obvious that the Chancellor is playing games with us.  This is a joke, my friends. No one could seriously believe this."

I raise a concerned eyebrow toward Razou, and then toward the others.

"Am I in the habit of jesting about such serious matters, dear friends?  Do you believe that what happened aboard the ‘Might of the Republic' is a joke?  Do you believe that the closing of the G'togoric Stock Exchange is a joke?  Do you believe that the Jedi Council News Release is a joke?  Do you believe your son's sedated friend is a joke?"

I turn back to gaze back mildly at Razou, with a look of concern.

"‘Violence and insanity among the people'...  You do seem a bit... agitated, friend Razou.  Are you feeling... well?"

At first they were relieved by Razou's words, to be relieved of condemnation, but they consider your words, and while the chancellor is known as a warm and witty person, he's not totally frivolous, but a responsible leader.  And thus the weight for being relieved is felt as redoubled.

Razou gives you a look of ‘I'd love to stick a dagger in you', and one of your bodyguards catches it as well and moves slightly. But Razou is a master politician, and has a genial grin on his face in a flicker before anyone else can catch it.

"An excellent point, my friend, please continue." And then he looks a bit worn. "It is only the strain of trying to see that my people do not starve from too lean a contract that you see, Chancellor. Only that."  He holds up his hands as if to show he has never ceased to work desperately hard for his people.

I gently regard him a moment, visibly appraising him with concern, subtly, but not too subtly for the others to notice.

"Indeed, these are straining times, for the threats we face are far deeper.  They could well undo us, long before anyone has the opportunity to starve."

A moment longer, and I regard the others once again.

"So then, dear friends, our position, under just sentence of death, would be completely helpless... except for one thing..."

They lean forward unconsciously....

And you notice the violent Mon Calamari also looking at you with a hard to read expression on his alien face. But in your Sight, you see a twisting pattern of madness and horror has joined the others.

:: Ring.  Monitor for attacks, particularly from Razou and/or the younger Mon Calamari.  Activate sleep mode immediately upon anyone launching an attack. ::

"Except that the Creator provided a Savior, His Only Son, Jesus Christ, pure, holy, and blameless, to ransom us, paying with His blood the penalty we deserved.  And the Creator proclaimed an Amnesty, that those who would cease their rebellion and turn back to Him would be spared the death sentence, and be saved.  And even after their bodies die, their souls shall spend eternity in everlasting joy in the Creator's presence."

I look at them quietly.

"There is power to save in this Savior, Jesus Christ.  He can deliver us from the Madness that threatens us all, and He can deliver us from the just sentence of death we would otherwise have to suffer ourselves.  And these ancient Scriptures instruct us how we can find this deliverance.  Indeed, it is our only hope.  And I hope all who have ears to hear would turn with me, and seek and find this deliverance in Him, dear friends."

"Would any of you be interested in receiving a copy of these Scriptures?"

Razou turns away in disgust.

The Mon Calamari charges...and stumbles as your Ring's sleep attack hits him, but he's seriously enthused, and he's not human....and then two of your bodyguards slam him to the floor, and the other Mon Calamari stands there trembling as your other guards point weapons at him.

Razou's son also has a weapon out (very fast indeed...), and held to cover the maddenned one...who finally succumbs to sleep.

You see that several would like to receive the copy with hands held out, even in the scrum, but they don't want to approach you right this moment.

I regard the younger Mon Calamari as he succumbs to sleep, and then shake my head sadly as I regard the others.

"‘Violence and insanity among the people'...  Death and decay, rebellion and corruption stalk us, dear friends.  And those so influenced walk among us."

I turn from the younger to the older, and regard him gently for a moment before giving a reassuring nod and motioning the guards to stand down.

"I do not believe that there is any harm in this one, though we will need to interview him as a witness.  If his companion has demonstrated any unusual or concerning behavior prior to this incident, it would be well if we could identify it."

I turn to regard the others, with an encouraging nod to those that seem interested in receiving a copy.

"Those desiring the ancient Scriptures, let me know, and I will see that you receive an electronic copy."

:: Ring.  Identify those desiring a copy.  Transfer a copy of the Bible, plus commentaries and introductory material from the folder "Oleander Introduction to Christianity", to each of them. ::

At that point, pretty much everyone desires a copy.  The previous were the ones desirous enough or unwise enough to raise their hands in the midst of a possible assasination.

Razou even ‘desires' a copy, although you're pretty sure he's not sincere.

The older Mon Calamari informs you in a private room afterwards with your guards there...

"Chancellor, as your exaltedness no doubt knows, there are some small elements of Mon Calamari society that object to an empire run by Humans.  My fellow, he did not join any secret society for those who do are forbidden to the military, but he showed what was considered an allowable level of sympathy, very modest, I assure you.  But I swear, even the most extreme of the Calamari supremacitst movements would not agree to an attack upon your self."

:: Ring.  Ensure that the transmitted copies can be freely redistributed, but include tracking code so that I may monitor how widely copied the material becomes and how often it is read, and discern whether or not any specific individual possesses a copy. ::

-=-

"Thank you, my friend.  We shall investigate with due diligence, but we have no further questions for now."

-=-

After that interview, I send for Razou's son.

"Thank you for your alertness in my defense, my friend.  Were you able to sense anything at all unusual, particularly from the attacker?"

-=-

OOC: What is next on the Chancellor's schedule? :)

Razou's son, Reteric bows.

"My lord, his presence seemed a heaviness in my head, as if I could have heard him breathing from the next room.  It was....strange. Most disconcerting."

About five more similar events with varied goals is what is next on the schedule.  GE roll time.

You are able to talk the Trade Federation into a delay on their tariff increase.  And the Wikon are sympathetic to your point about needing to fixt the present computer system errors before upgrading their planetary computer net with a governement subsidy.

On the other hand, the voLin  very, very politely mention that Separatism sounds wonderful.  Since the voLin are most polite right before they stick a dagger in you, this is bad.

  And you do something to offend the Derinkiekesh ambassador, and none of your people know what it is.

And at the Scovanni Republic Ball...where you are requested to dance with an eight armed lady who is four times your height, you see Jar Jar for just a second you think...

I take any reasonable opportunities to share the Gospel, in a fashion similar to Razou's gathering.

For gatherings without telepathic or force-sensitive beings present, I use telepathy to supplement the Sight and Ring data, and discern any hidden dangers (such as what the voLin are up to, and what the ambassador was offended by).

And at the Ball...

"The pleasure is mine, my lady."

:: Ring.  Is the Jar Jar avatar nearby?  If so, invoke sleep mode on him, immediately. ::

You're spreading the Gospel at each meeting.  The enthusiasm is less than the first, but still you have many enthused receivers.

The voLin have requested a tiny change in a rule which as near as you can tell is a brilliant change, once you spend an hour comprehending what the results will be.  It benefits pretty much everyone involved.  They think that the Galactic society has gotten too fat and stupid to handle affairs adroitly, and so its regrettable that a Time of Troubles need come to prune back the stupidity, and make way for new growth.

The Derienkiniesh ambassador has a ‘son' or ‘progeny' who must receive a battle honor, and he was brave in a recent fight, and he recieved no battle medal...and he cannot rise in Derienkineish society until he recieves acclaim.  But, this is the sort of thing that honor forbids one from even hinting at.

:Invoking. Error. Line catalog error. System reboot.:  Your Ring crashes, and Jar Jar steps out from behind one of the Scovanni, and smiles at you in a completely unfriendly way.  He's about fifty feet away.

"Does my dancing bother you?" The lady who's arms you're holding rumbles like a contrabasson tuba from near the ceiling.  "What troubles you, mighty lord?"  You realize the Scovanni are despite their looks, rather good at reading emotions.

I have Ring research the conduct of the ambassador's son in the battle, and make arrangements for a medal if warranted.

-=-

OOC: Estimated time until Ring successfully reboots, based upon past experience?

"You are no doubt aware of the disturbing rise in violence and insanity.  I have a feeling that all is not as it should be here."

"Do you sense anything amiss among the guests here... perhaps somewhere near yonder Gungan?"

The medal is worthy, and it is arranged.

Usually, the Ring reboots very quickly. Ten seconds.

The Scovanni lady hisses like a foghorn...

She yells something that sounds like thunder, and several of her people rumble toward Jar Jar....

And then they are all falling down.

The doors blow open, and a cold, evil wind blows into the room.

Jar Jar steps out, igniting two lightsabers.

"You are annoying/distressing/scabitami my/we/your it/entity/masters.  It is time for you to die and die again and again."

Your two bodyguards are by now in front of you with weapons drawn.  Near the wall, the Scovanni are opening very large lockers, and pulling out fifteen foot long energy pikes.  One is tossed to the lady you were dancing with.

She catches it, and then suddenly electric energy arcs on the far end of it.

"You were not invited to my ball, Senator." She blares out, leaving your ears tingling.

"Step aside Princess of the Scovanni. Your people's minds are open to me. I will give them madness."  Jar Jar threatens calmly.

:: Ring.  Initiate deactivation of Jar Jar's lightsabers.  Estimate time to completion. ::

:: Identify escape routes from this location ::

:: Are you able to project your telepathic shield to help protect others?  If so, how many of the Scovanni could you shield? ::

"Why have you come, imposter, avatar of evil?  Why do you want to kill me?"

Ordinarily the Ring reboots quickly. It has not yet.

"Why do I want to kill you? Do I need a reason?  Do we ever have a reason for why we do things?  Or do we just lie to ourselves that we are reasonable, and instead we just tell ourselves lies.  Embrace the truth of my Master, reality is Mad."

And with that you see large worms, at least ten feet in length, coming in through doors and windows.  Meanwhile, the temperature drops nearly twenty degrees, and you smell an odd scent.

"My mother's perfume. For that you will die, creature. Let her memory lay in peace." The Scovanni lady says stepping over your bodyguard and dropping the pike to ready.

"Beware, friends!  Killing him will just make his master stronger.  He must be immobilized and sedated immediately!"

"Your master is distressed indeed, foul servant, for the people now have knowledge of the One Holy and True God, the LORD Almighty, Creator of All, and of the Son and Savior, Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, via the ancient Holy Scriptures.  The knowledge of the way of salvation and deliverance is spreading."

"Your evil master is strong, but the Creator is stronger still.  No matter what may happen here and now, you and your master are doomed."

:: Dearest LORD, please guide and guard us now, I pray... ::

I reach into the Force, and try to give him a telekinetic push of stunning power...

OOC: Any word from Ring yet? :o

He winces as you speak the holy and sacred names.

After a bit of thought, the Princess says...

"Would it be wise to break his legs?"

"Granted." You hear a Voice.

And you slam Jar Jar skidding across the room.

OOC: No.

"Whatever is required.  Wrap cable and a sedation bactine tank would do well."

I raise an arm, and pray fervently...

"Dearest LORD, please overthrow the power of this foul servant now, and destroy his works and creatures, and restore to wholeness what this foul servant has afflicted, whether man or machine, whether creature or computer.  I pray in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, the Son and Savior...  Amen."

"Get them," The Princess blares, and several of her people run for the equipment you suggested.  She advances, and swings the butt of her pike at his leg. He blocks with a saber, and holds out a hand.  She falls to her knees with a thundering thud, and gags.

"Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change." Jar Jar says as he floats to his feet.

You wish to dispel the worms.  Which does not work.

Heal the Princess. She spits a great luge, and raises her head with a trumpet, if not like an archangel, like a dozen foghorns.  Jar Jar is knocked back. 1@2 Remove Imposed Insanity

Heal the Ring. This is break Insanity Curse on Machine. It works. 1@1

::Rebooted. System check completed. Ready for action.::

The worms come through the doors and start strangling Scovanni and their guests, and you.  One guard tries to protect you, but in doing so, he turns his back on an approaching wormm and gets yanked into the air.  The other frees you temporarily.

From outside the great hall you hear the precise firing time patterns, and the bellowing voice of a Clone Trooper Sergeant.

"Kill these worms! Rescue the Chancellor!  Quit goofing off, you lardheads, and shoot!"  More firing ensues.

"Not acceptable." Jar Jar says, and you feel something come disconnected, and the voices of the Clone Troopers come from very far away.

Remind me...

OOC: I think I was doing clairvoyance, and the cord between my body and spirit was cut.  First I bought myself some time by possessing my own body, then Amanda and I worked together to heal the disconnection by prayer... 

For details, see beginning at around message #411 of "link to a message in "Worldwalker" ". :)

Its more physical, although there is a tinge of the non-physical.  In any case, you're still in your body, and so seems everyone around you.

You hear Jar Jar shriek in total despair, and fire blooms from inside him and eats a hole in him, and through that hole you can see Palpatine and Anakin double-teaming something your eyes cannot focus on.

"Your Great Machine is destroyed by the World-Wrecking Laser. Even now, your minions burn in the fires of Creation.  Tell me again, Dread Lord, how your victory is unstoppable." Palpatine taunts Cthulhu, and then the Suncat strikes, and the Madness fades.

Palpatine turns, and you can tell he is weary beyond measure.  He smiles at you through the rift where Jar Jar used to be.

"I will follow my master. In order that this not come again, the hole needs a seal.  I will see you all again, but until then, Anakin, you are the Suncat and the Chancellor in my place."

"No, master..."

And Palpatine steps into the hole, and his body merges with space.  And you hear his voice in your head.

:That did not hurt at all.  The Lifeweb is healed. The Dread One is sealed again.  And you, my friend, are about to pay the price of all those versing out..."

Which you do.  Unlike Palpatine, you do not go easy, but experience everyone of those verse outs, until the last which is easy...

And then you're gone from there.