There are 2 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-J] You Win Some, You Lose Some
From: Alex Guenser <guenser@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [USS Calypso] Coffee, Tea or Teeth!
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 23:06:41 -0800
From: Alex Guenser <guenser@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] You Win Some, You Lose Some
Day 20 / 1
Overnight
<I have a bad feeling about this,> Dakhrau thought.
<Don't worry, we'll show them we're better even with one team down.>
Rrone was eager and excited as ever. Dakhrau thought that as he aged,
his constantly energetic attitude could change, but it still seemed he
never tired. Often it annoyed Dakhrau, as if he was constantly
babysitting a kid, continually fascinated by the world and asking
questions and never knowing the blissfullness of peace and quiet.
Rrone started to gnaw on the seagrass, taking some in his mouth as if
he was practicing tying strands into knots. <Hey, do you think we
should go out and search for their base anyway?> Dakhrau knew that
Rrone's liveliness was good for him. Dakhrau was always too serious,
too brooding. Rrone kept him feeling happy. At least, happier than he
would have been alone.
<'Cause I don't think us staying right here is doing us good. Even
Khammoray's asking us for advice.>
A slightly annoyed Dakhrau replied, <I have nothing to say in these
early moments, besides telling them to wait until something happens.
We should hold our ground until the other team arrives. Unless they
wait long enough, then I will give them a plan. And maybe if you'd be
quiet I can try to think up something else for us to do, okay?>
Before, he might have said that in a snappy tone to Rrone. But time
and time again had proven that Rrone's feelings were not easily
damaged, and Dakhrau learned he might as well direct his energy
elsewhere.
******************************
Rrone silently squealed with joy. <Hey, they're out there! Wait... I
don't think it's them.>
Dakhrau tried to see out of the seagrass field they hid themselves
in. <Then what do you think it is?>
<Khamorray says they could be Kataani riders without dragons, and
there seems to be quite a few of them.>
<There is no need to expose ourselves to them. We stay.>
Dakhrau tensed, but he didn't know why. He felt something permeating
the waters around him, some type of energy. It didn't settle well with
him.
<Uh, Dru's run into some Kataani soldiers, what do we do?>
<Screw staying, we get over there as quickly as we can. Tell Ansel to
move!> Dakhrau ordered as he untied a spear he had fastened to his
side.
Rrone rocketed out of the seagrass like it was a race to the finish
line. Khamorray soon caught up and Ansel was also weilding a spear,
and both were ready to take on the threat. Shortly, the dragons both
halted.
Dakhrau was impatient. <Why have we stopped? We need to get to...>
<More soldiers, a ton of them, right ahead of us.>
Dakhrau squinted into the waters, but couldn't see anything clearly.
<Have they spotted us?>
<Nope... uh, yeah, they just did.> Rrone shot Dakhrau a visual of the
group changing formations where their sheilds and spears formed a
tough impenetrable spiked shell.
<They must be attempting to deflect the dragon's water attacks as
well as deter any blows. And they seem quite practiced.> Dakhrau
didn't like this. Why were soldiers out in the middle of the waters?
Granted, they had traveled a distance from the warren, but he trusted
that Corwin wouldn't put them right in Kataani training ground without
warning. And he didn't like how quickly they assumed their formation.
They were prepared, and a little to prepared for Dakhrau to feel
comfortable. <The best offense is a good defense.>
Dakhrau quickly thought up a maneuver. They still had to get over to
Dru and Kaliana and they didn't want to spend too much time dealing
with these soldiers, but they also couldn't have them following on
their tail as they continued moving. Tactically, having enemies in
front and behind was not a very good position, and one Dakhrau wanted
to avoid if at all possible. They'd have to at least disorient the
soldiers before continuing, so as to not risk being followed. If they
were as practiced as they appeared, they'd make sure they had their
wits about them before attempting anything.
<Tell Ansel, if they view us as a threat, then it would be a shame to
dissapoint them. Have him take the high road, and I shall take the low
road. Steam them, and do not stop moving. It won't hurt them, but it
will give us time> Dakhrau looked over and waited for Ansel's nod, and
when it came, Dakhrau "heeyah-ed" Rrone. He swam underneath them at a
safe distance, and blasted them with superheated water as he swooped
by. Ansel followed suit, and the ****elds deflected the majority of the
water off the surface of the ****elds as expected. Dakhrau scanned the
formation, searching for the inevitable weak spot of their formation.
Everything had a weakspot, he knew well enough from when his father
trained him, as he'd also seen his father exploit both friends and
foes weaknesses many times.
Dakhrau's eye focused on a spear protruding from the shell that was
partially isolated. <Bring me just underneath that lone spear!> Rrone
maneuvered close to the formation, and Dakhrau used his own spear to
hook onto the barbed Kataani spear. Rrone swam away, and Dakhrau
grasped his spear firmly as the Kataani weapon was plucked out from
their grip. Before they could adjust their formation to cover the hole
that grew in the process, Rrone spun around and Dakhrau hurled his own
spear in through the hole to the center of the group. He could see
some movement of a figure dodging the spear, moving out of the way,
which opened up a path for it to embed itself in a soldier on the
opposite side.
Ansel, still directing Khamorray as he swam around the sphere,
noticed a Kataani ****eld fall out of line. He ordered Khamorray to the
spot, and as he swam over, he began spraying the heated water through
the hole. The shell acted like an oven when the heated water couldn't
escape, and the formation fell apart. The Kataani soldiers were
writhing around, and looked as though their skin was boiling. Dakhrau
grabbed the loose Kataani spear and headed off.
<It won't take long for them to recover, let's go!> Rrone led
Khamorray when Dakhrau had thought up the next part of the plan. <When
they follow, I'll drop down and come up behind them, and we'll attack
from both sides before they can do anything.> Rrone and Dakhrau sped
off up front, until he reached a safe distance out of sight of the
Kataani behind them. Then, they dove downward and watched Ansel and
Khamorray sail overhead, and Dakhrau and Rrone shot back to where they
were before.
<The Kataani aren't following Khamorray. They've started swimming in
the same direction as before.> Rrone sent his rider an image of the
Kataani soldiers falling back in line and swimming vigorously.
<So they have resumed course? Catch up with Ansel then, we are of
best use with them.> Dakhrau pondered about the soldiers as Rrone
weaved through the waters, avoiding rough patches of water. Where were
they headed so deliberately and in such a hurry? He mapped out in his
head all the lands and waters he knew near Jasra. They had gone quite
a distance out to sea, so Dakhrau didn't know exactly where they were
in relation to his map, but the one thing he did know is that the
Kataani were headed east. And the only thing east from here was Jasra.
Dakhrau let Ansel know that should he be correct, they could expect
trouble.
******************************
<No, no! Ryba's not! She's not!> Rrone was trying to talk to Dakhrau,
but wasn't making much sense. Hearing that great scream fill his head,
his emotions made putting words together too impossible.
<What? What happened to Ryba? Is Kaliana okay?> Dakhrau knew
something terrible had happened when Rrone thrust forward even faster
and caught up to Khamorray. Dakhrau looked over, and Ansel wore a
shocked expression. Dakhrau saw that Ansel was as determined as ever,
so Dakhrau made himself too.
They swam by a shark immediately before arriving, which Dakhrau
thought odd. Then he saw, at a great distance away, a spherical energy
ball form far away, ant then it shattered, sending miniature shocks
through the water. Who could do that? The Kataani?
Ansel and Dakhrau moved in closer and saw a feeding frenzy for the
sharks, and Kataani soldiers were the main course. They cautiously
moved around the mass of sharks, but couldn't find the rest of their
team they had been sent to protect. Looking at the floating bodies in
the red cloud, he knew fairly well that they didn't needed them
anymore.
<Syngnath says we should meet on the island over there.> Rrone's
mindvoice was sullen, a feeling that reflected Dakhrau's mood as well.
Ansel and Dakhrau surfaced along with Summer and Raven. Shortly, the
rest of the wing returned too.
"What happened to the Kataani?" Ansel questioned as the sharks feasted
below.
Keer sternly replied, "I took care of them." He was still holding
back anger, as were most of the trainees.
Dakhrau deduced that Keer had been the Kataani that summoned the
sharks, and most likely also casted that orb on the Kataani. <He also
weilds great power, then> Dakhrau thought to himself. Abilities like
that do not come to just anyone, he knew. <That does not change the
fact that I am different in this world as well.> If he was right about
the group of Kataani soldiers headed to the warren, he knew that group
they encountered couldn't be the only force. In any case, he knew his
"difference" would soon become a force to be reckoned with.
******************************
After listening to the disaster that the other riders were part of,
Ansel re****ted that Dakhrau and he had also faced a bit of trouble.
They retold the encounter and the quick attack before they made their
way out of the area.
"They did not attack us first, however it was clear they were ready
to engage." Dakhrau clarified, careful not to suggest the other riders
must have provoked the Kataani for the attack.
Ansel re****ted, "They were headed east, we believe toward Jasra."
Corwin nodded, "I've already tried to contact the warren with a
warning, but something isn't letting me communicate my message." Soon,
when Eliase arrived, they realized those at the warren already knew
about the danger, and that they knew much more about the threat posed
to Jasra.
******************************
Corwin led the Eliase and a ****tion of the Maritime Wing along the
surface of the water back to Jasra. They sped determined through the
water and air to get back to the warren, because their wing provided
an edge that the warren otherwise lacked without their presence. Even
though the Kataani seemed to know how to engate the seadragons, and
they're most likely more comfortable in the water, the seadragons were
still a mighty fighthing force that Jasra needed in this fight.
<Some of us are sensing some more Kataani just ahead, below us.>
Rrone informed his rider.
"More ahead, we should neutralize them while they are still a small
lone force," he called out to those who could hear him above the
water.
Dylan called out, "Do we fight? We can't leave Eliase up here!"
Corwin barked some orders. "They'll be easier to take on here before
they meet up at the warren, but some of us still need to get back to
the warren. Raven, you can take Dakhrau and Dylan to handle this. I'll
head back to the warren with Shadow, Ansel and Eliase." Lir, who had
been gliding meters below the rest of the group, surfaced and directed
Dakhrau and Dylan to follow him underwater.
Tag: Arlene, John and Rachel. Do they run into any others along the
way?
******************************
<We go in fast and strong, before they can set up formation> Raven
relayed the message through Lir. <On the first pass, the dragons will
steam them from a distance, and we'll attack with any projectiles
we're willing to spare.> Raven reached for a satchel on his thigh, but
it looked as if it was actually placed there to disguise a knife he'd
hidden. Dylan also drew a knife, and Dakhrau grabbed the Kataani spear
he'd taken.
<I think someone dropped this,> Dakhrau teased as he hurled the spear
at the soldiers, barely aware of seadragons as they quickly blasted
them. A ****eld deflected the spear, and Dylan's knife didn't seem to
cut into the Kataani it impacted either. Raven had managed to throw
two knives, injuring two soldiers. As the three swam by, a few spears
went flying, which Rrone dodged easily, as did Dru. Lir, however,
missed one spear and it cut into Raven just inside his right shoulder.
The dragons swam forward more to give them a little time before the
enemy caught up, and the two new Maritime riders huddles around Raven.
Dakhrau looked at Raven's shoulder. <Tell him I cannot take it out
without risking further injury, but I've got to break off the shaft.>
Rrone messaged back to Dakhrau. <He says you cant break it off
underwater! You're not strong enough.> True, he wasn't, and even if he
had tried to normally, the outcome wouldn't be pretty. But Dakhrau
also had some tricks up his sleeve.
"Trust me," Dakhrau mouthed to Raven as he offered up a knife for
Raven to bite on. He clenched, and Dakhrau closed his eyes while
focusing on the image of the spear, just below the spearhead. Holding
his hand inches away, he manipulated the water so the pressure
increased dramatically, causing the spear to break and splinter. Both
Dakhrau and Raven winced in pain, but they had to get prepared.
<Dru's warning us of company!> They turned, and this time the
Kataani, minus several, were ready for a fight.
Tag: Carys, how do we handle them this time around?
******************************
Summary: Waiting for the opposing team members to find their base,
Dakhrau and Khamorray sense a presence out in the water that isn't the
riders. Upon hearing trouble, they set out to aid their team, but run
into a pack of Kataani soldiers ready to defend themselves. Dakhrau
devises a strategy which allows them a quick getaway without being
followed, but they resume course back east to Jasra.
They hear Ryba's cry, and arriving upon the scene, they realize they
are to late to help. The disarray that is left behind, however, hints
that they were not needed. Corwin summons them to the island for a
meeting, which Eliase interupts with news of attack. Corwin leads a
group back to the warren, which splits to take on a small Kataani
force. Raven, Dakhrau and Dylan make a pass, and Raven gets a spear in
the shoulder which Dakhrau uses his magic to help break off.
Submitted by...
---------------
Alex as Dakhrau
as Rrone
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 04:33:14 -0800
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS Calypso] Coffee, Tea or Teeth!
MD 4:0930 - On the ****p
<Snippets>
"Say... this place really is neat..." Angel continued, looking around
the bridge. "Why don't we arrange for me to bring you coffee every
morning? I'm doing a new cappuccino at the Cave..." She looked at him
hopefully. "Or maybe you're more an espresso man?"
***
Brant arched a brow in surprise. He opened his mouth to decline, but
clamped his lips shut and decided to give her offer some thought
***
Suddenly Angel realised Wolf had wandered away from her and was
sniffing around. "Come back here!" she said. "Good dog!" she added,
when he padded back to her and sat down at his mistress's side.
"See, I told you he was well trained!" she said, proudly.
"So well trained he dives into turbo lifts on his own?" Brant replied.
***
The Counselor was having a hard time biting back a smile at the
exchange between the Captain and the young girl. She could feel a
touch of irritation but also amused respect coming from the man seated
next to her.
***
Angel ignored the question. "And he can be useful," she continued.
"He'd be a really good guard dog."
"Wolf - TEETH!" she said to the huge canine. Wolf bared his fangs
obligingly.
"Scary, huh?" Angel said, proudly.
Georgi almost swallowed her tongue to keep from laughing. What Angel
didn't realize is that when she'd commanded Wolf to bare is teeth
she'd done exactly the same thing out of reflex. The duo was so
comical she could barely contain herself.
Brant's eyes widened and pressing his lips tightly together he turned
to the Counselor, a glint of humor lighting his amber eyes. "Now, that
is truly a face only a mother could love." He half-murmured to the
redhead.
The little Counselor leaned back in the chair crossing her arms in a
way that enabled to her to cover her mouth to hold back the laughter
that threatened to bubble over. "Which one Suh!" She managed to answer
in a choked whisper.
Brant's head dropped his one hand moving to rub his temples as if
thinking. In actuality he was fighting to control his mirth. Inhaling
deeply his movement to smooth his moustache and stroke his beard
helped him keep a straight face when he finally looked up at the
smiling hostess.
***
"So, you're telling me that the sum total of his training is coming
back when he's doing something he shouldn't, and showing his teeth?"
asked Brant.
"Well, not just that," replied Angel, defensively. "And everyone loves
him, don't they Georgi?" Angel looked at the Counselor for sup****t.
<End>
Georgi's eyes widened and she let out a little squeak glancing away
until she could get some semblence of control. The bridge crew watched
with much amusement and the Ops Officer on duty winked at the petite
redhead and she bit her lip for a moment. Slowly she turned back to
Angel's hopeful face. "He's definitely made quite an impression that's
for shure!" She answered with barely contained laugher and immediately
began chewing on her thumbnail, her big blue eyes dancing at the wolf
that was still 'grinning' at them.
Brant cleared his throat his gaze lifting to the ceiling for a moment
then finally settling on the dark-haired young woman. "Alright you can
stay..." He said as Angel's grin widened, "but stay out of the way and
YOU...," he said pointing directly at wolf. "You will behave
yourself!"
Georgi's motioned to her and Angel skittered across to a bench type
extension on the far side of her chair. Quickly seating herself the
hostess called her pet and the wolf looked at her tilted his head for
a moment then turned to the imposing man and promptly walked over and
seated himself next to Brant's leg, bringing a raised brow from the
man.
The little redhead didn't dare look anywhere but at the viewscreen for
fear of losing it completely, thankfully the First Officer's voice
came over the con at the moment and despite a few snickers the bridge
crew went back to the business at hand. The mention of floating bodies
had everyone's close attention.
With the open com link Brant could hear the conversations going on in
the station but it gave him little comfort. Floating bodies indeed! He
definitely didn't like being this close to the border under normal
circumstances, the fact that they kept picking up tetryon emissions
made it even more unsettling.
"Sir, I think our watchdog is moving closer."
Brant sighed, "Keep an eye on that tetryon trail Ensign. As long as
they stay on their side of the border we have no beef with them."
"Yes Sir!"
MD 4:0950
"Everyone keep alert over there! You may have unexpected company." The
Captain warned into the con. The security team's chatter had grown
quiet and he presumed they were searching, "Freda, have you found any
sign at all of the others yet?"
"No Sir, nothing so far!" She answered in her normal silky tone.
Brant sighed inwardly, "Keep looking, and check for anything that
might remotely resemble an explanation."
"Aye Sir!"
Everything fell quiet for a few minutes with an occasional observation
coming from one of the team then suddenly the bridge was filled with a
loud static and then Lorn's distorted voice of surprise could be
heard."
"Clear that up I can't understand him! Number One repeat that last
message!" Brant commanded leaning forward in his chair.
"Sir, our communications are being jammed!"
Respectfully submitted by,
Tree Deutscher
AKA
Captain Brant Reed, USS Calypso
And
Counselor Georgiana MacKendle
***Summary***
MD 4:0930 Brant, Georgi and the bridge crew are amused by Angel and
Wolf and Brant agrees to let them stay on the bridge.
MD 4:0950 Brant listens to the away team and ponders there find. The
bridge is filled with a loud static and Lorn's distorted voice can be
heard and one of the crewman declares their communications are being
jammed.
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