The Light Behind the Shadow

"Initmidator and Carnotaur, I apologize for my misunderstanding of your attacks. Since that Agdzari wish to become uninvolved, I grant them that. i think I speak for the Igadzra when I say that they do not wish to be at war with you. But, you will have to work that out amongst yourselves."
"I am allied with Oasa and will remain allied as long as there is war. The North Tip renegades are with me but nothing I do will stop their raids of Miranu worlds. The South Tip is out of my control. As for the Corocians, I wish to tell you that any attack on my homeworld would surely murder millions of innocent civilian lives.
"I must say that I thrive on war and that can never change until my death. I am of Renegade decent and when at piece I become restless. However, unlike Renegades I have patience and perseveirence. If we arrive at piece, I wish to be paid large sums to fund my research, I will not interfere with the Galactic piece."
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<Carnotaur, I hate to bring this up again, but do you agree to revoke the post where you take my technology.>
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Give them shell! give them solid shot! Damn them, give them anything!

(This message has been edited by daedalus (edited 12-05-2000).)

ah, rooster, you are mistaken. the slaughter of the fuzzes was not intended to start a war, nor was it a random act of cruelty upon the Miranu. For uses I shall not reveal, Fuzzes are a rather important commodity to the Voinans, and we were trying to ensure our monopoly on them. I assure you, it was not meant as an act of agression. We Voinans did not expect to find a fleet ready for battle in Ursla when we arrived.

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(url="http://"http://www.bigfurrydeal.com") bigfurrydeal! (/url)

INFORMATION: We'll need to create an entirely new thread in order to change the direction of the story, and i smell a mod shutting this one down (gettin long). It would go on the same story and use the same characters. However, i don't expect to do so very soon.

CONTINUATION: Miranu: "They are your murderers, thieves, and uprisers! Can't you see my friends?! You cannot accept what they do!" The beaten appearance and rags of clothing on Miranu greatly help his argument. The guards must have been beating him repeatedly, and possibly by Oasa's order. Miranu: "Rooster, he once held you for a death sentence! If we are to make peace...blood must first pour!!" Oasa and Daedalus looked shocked and unsure of what to do. Rooster seemed quite convinced. Buba (in whisper to Rooster): "We know he's right. They will never rest on a peace settlement." With this the Corocian representatives stood boldly and pulled out their photonlances. Of course, with warsuits on these would be useless, but it showed a denial of the requests. Rooster: "I will not allow any person to leave this planet." Buba entered an extrenuous code into the panel and the planet's artificial atmospheric layers began to crystallize. This was a final tactic in the event Ursla was attacked again. There was absolutely no way to enter or exit until the computer system revealed the reverse code in 36 hours. Rooster: "We will kill each other if that's what you wish Daedalus, but there is no running for me or you today." All left the summit, Rooster still not positive this was the Corocian way to go. Oasa was not with allies, most of his crew were guarding him on the planet and the Oasans regrettingly had many allies on Ursla, which was on the brink of becoming Oasan, although the population was halfed between the two hemispheres for the Oasans and Corocians. Now the wargames would begin....

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It is not fear that will destroy you, but the absence of it.

Oasa, finally finding Rooster in the comm centre, asks for a private meeting - between himself and rooster, no one else (as the conference was originally intended, he noted)

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(url="http://"http://www.bigfurrydeal.com") bigfurrydeal! (/url)

Um, rooster, what did you mean when you said "I leave Intimidator to choose the ruling of the Corocians and Oasans."?

Oh, and Daedalus, yeah, I guess so (but now that I will probably be allied with you I'll get the technology after all!)

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Back to story.
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Carnotaur stands after talking with Intimidator. "The leader of the Azdgari Empire, The Intimidator, agrees with everyone else on some terms. They will accept peace, that is obvious. But, they will, if nessicary, expand their borders, but they will attempt to refrain from acting violently. I can also assure you that they will not attack either the Oasans or Daedalus."

"The Azdgari Empire will also start immediate nagotiations with the Igadzra for an alliance between the two."

"Intimidator and I also agree that this war has escalated far beyond what was originally meant to be accomplished. The first goal was too free and protect the Fuzzes, but now it is just a bloody war with many casualties and no goal but ultimate destruction of the other, and the accomplishment of revenge."

"I also ask that, if Oasa and Daedalus are willing, that I, Captain Carnotaur, can join their forces as an Azdgari mercenary. What is Oasas reply?"

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To Escape Velocity: Nova and Beyond!
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Millennium. Its coming, prepare for it.
Coming to the EV Chronicles.

Do you mean that we are now fighting with real armies on the planet?

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Give them shell! give them solid shot! Damn them, give them anything!

Yes. Neither civilian populations are trained for battle, so i guess it's your crews against those at the Ursla Command Center. It's fair, even sides. This is the only way the war can end, peace will only postpone it to a later date. We will meet for battle upon the Oasan Crater (made by the explosion at the first battle) soon.

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It is not fear that will destroy you, but the absence of it.

an urgent comm reaches rooster as the armies are marching to the plain - "I must contact you - something of great importance has occurred! It is imperative we speak before a battle breaks out! Meet me two miles north of the crater. Bring as many men as you wish; I shall be alone."

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(url="http://"http://www.bigfurrydeal.com") bigfurrydeal! (/url)

Rooster goes to meet Oasa, not knowing what to expect. However he is without warsuit, only photonlance. This isn't gathered by either to show trust or laziness. Rooster waits for Oasa to speak....

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It is not fear that will destroy you, but the absence of it.

Sometime when Oasa isn't with rooster screw Daedalus met Oasa in his quarters.

"Oasa, I have been keeping something from you. I must tell you now as it may or may not affect this war. I ask you to shoot me, right here, in the heart."

"You know I won't do that Daedalus, what is wrong with you."

"I said shoot me dammit, before I have to shoot myself."

"Daedalus, your crazy."

"I said shoot me!" said Daedalus drawing his own blaster.

Fearing for his own safety Oasa did the deed, not once but several times. Each time, Daedalus seemed to flicker, quickly revealling a metal skeletal shape. The blasts merely sizzled on the walls behind him.

"Stop Oasa. I will explain. Back on Voinia when you ordered me to watch to your defenses, I knew that I could not do that. I had a broken empire and a broken homeworld. All was coming apart. I built this structure that you briefly saw, to hold a holo projector and to manipulate things for the projection. I also downloaded certain parts of my brain into a computer. Since I was to be watch over your defenses, I am outfitted with many of Daedalus's strategies. I escaped on my ship, as a black cloaked figure. I am now completely unaware of all the events happening here. The crystal blocks all communication. I did not mean for things to turn out like this. If you still think I can be of use to you, let me know. Purhaps I can command part of your army or lead the civilians. I would like to be of help."

Oasa replies...

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Give them shell! give them solid shot! Damn them, give them anything!

(This message has been edited by daedalus (edited 12-05-2000).)

(This message has been edited by daedalus (edited 12-05-2000).)

Meanwhile Buba approaches Rooster.. Buba: "Rooster, what are we to do? In a few days the atmosphere will be back to it's original state and also if we aren't careful Daedulus and Oasa might find an escape route sooner than we think. It is either now or never that we end the lives of these two retched scum. You saw the way they treated Miranu. I'm telling you we cannot end this peacfully." Rooster replies...

Uh... nevermend. If Roosters meeting with Oasa goes well and no one dies and this question above isn't resolved then my post stays. If, however, it does not make sense after the meeting then it goes down the toilet. 😄

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"I'll get the brute squad!"
"I'm on the brute squad."
"You ARE the brute squad!"

(This message has been edited by Bubaganoosh (edited 12-05-2000).)

Oasa, quite surprised by the recent turn of events with his second-in-command, orders the D-clone to prepare an attack for the soon approaching battle. In the meantime, Oasa affixes a commchip to his inner thigh. It detects fear and bodily harm. If it ever goes off, Oasa instructs Daedalus, attack immediately. If not, wait for someone else to make the first move. oasa quickly leaves to meet with rooster.

"Hello, rooster. I hope we will be able to speak this time without any sudden armed clashes, hm? But I oughtn't jest, what I have brought you here to say is of the greatest importance. I would like to begin by apologizing for any harm I may have caused; my personal wrath, and the wrath of the Voinans since Borb, has been directed entirely at Carno and Intimidator. You, unfortunately, happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ursla, Pax and Zanati Refinery all were key in my plan, and you, most unfortunately, happened to control them. If you will ally with the Voinans, I promise we will undo our transgressions, and share the technology gained in those battles."

Rooster interrupted, "what's in it for me? why should the Corocians ally with someone who almost killed me!?"

"I apologize once again. You would have been an example to Carno, but you fortunately escaped. Now, let me explain why I called you here, to talk face to face. As you well konw, the Malcontent is a formidable warship. Let me tell you something no one but Daedelus knows: she can cloak, and mantain full sensor and comm functions. As a protective measure, I cloaked the Malcontent before landing on the planet. Earlier today, I received a transmission from the commanding officer on her - twenty Azdgari warships aligned with Carno entered the system, and then cloaked. They do not have cloak technology. I am gravely worried. I believe Carnotaur and Intimidator mean to destroy both myself and you after we are weakened in the battle which will come. I don't wish for that to happen. Carno is a shrewd, doublecrossing evil man. He would not be suited as an ally, nor as a galactic ruler. Do you not see how he double crossed you? I asked you here to ally with me. Only together can we stop the threat of the expanding Azdgari. What say you?

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gotta sleep now, will post again tomorrow.

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(url="http://"http://www.bigfurrydeal.com") bigfurrydeal! (/url)

Suddenly, Carnotaur appears from behind a rock carrying a phase beamer. "How'd you know that!?!?! Those ships were supposed to be undetectable!! Grrrrr!! Oh well, might as well tell you why I brought them here. Its simple: Blame both Daedalus and YOU! You and Daedalus were the ones who were always saying how "Evil Carnotaur" was. I was worried that when I got here, you would try to destroy us, and so I brought a small Azdgari fleet to help protect us if anything went wrong. And I can't believe you call me a double-crosser!!! As I've told you A THOUSAND TIMES BEFORE, I was acting under the direct orders from the Azdgari. Now I wish to join you Oasa as a mercenary! Just an Azdgari mercenary! I haven't double-crossed you! This is the first time I've tried to join your side and you call me a double-crosser!!??!?!! I don't believe it!

"And the Azdgari expansion? Oh please!! Intimidator was just trying to reclaim some lost territory to help fortify the Azdgari. He was worried that because they were in a weakened state, that someone might attack them, like the Zidagar! Intimidator also said they he would almost completely stop it and when he did do it he would do it peacefully! He will now just colonize a new planet IF HE REALLY NEEDED TO!

"Now Oasa, I will ask you for possibly the last time (or I'll ask Daedalus! He seems reasonble!). Can I join you?"

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To Escape Velocity: Nova and Beyond!
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Millennium. Its coming, prepare for it.
Coming to the EV Chronicles.

Alien sits on Hinavar, sipping hot cocoa...

Hello.

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Very funny, now beam down my clothes. These ladies look rest-less..... uh-oh...
Alien's famous tongue...
"Vionions?? Voinioniommoins?? Viks? Veggies? Vegetables? Oh wait, that's a hewman plant...
SEARCH..... THEN...... ASK!!!!

And then he gets an urgent message from one of Carnotaur's cloaked ships. "A.E.S. Scorcher calling Alien. Repeat, Captain Carnotaur and Intimidator are in trouble. They, along with Oasa, Buba, Rooster, and Daedalus are caught on Ursla. Rooster has activated a atmospheric crystalization around Ursla, and so we cannot get them. We are prepared, however, to launch space bombs at the planet in an effort to break through the barrier. We need your extra firepower. Come here immediately. We might need your help to go rescue Oasa, Intimidator, Carnotaur, and Daedalus from Ursla. Repeat, request immediate assistance!"

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To Escape Velocity: Nova and Beyond!
--------------
Millennium. Its coming, prepare for it.
Coming to the EV Chronicles.

Meanwhile, on F-25, reports of the outcome of the summit are reaching RA headquarters in the Galactic news.

Report: During a summit meeting between the galactic powers, a strange thing happened. The atmosphere of Ursla has turned onto some kind of inpregnable form of crystal. All communication has been lost since the strange phenomenon. Scientist using simple telescopes have been able to stare through the crystal. One thing is certain, war is brewing on the surface. In orbit, only the curious tourists are seen.

A black cloaked figure grips his chair tightly at hearing the news. Calling over an aid, he whispers something into his ear. "When the sun rises, the shadow falls." The aid nods in understanding and leaves. The black cloaked figure enters a room and comes out dressed in a silver war suit and black cloak, twin blasters lie in holsters at his sides, a combat knife is strapped to his leg. Captain Daedalus is ready.

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Give them shell! give them solid shot! Damn them, give them anything!

(This message has been edited by daedalus (edited 12-06-2000).)

Suddenly, out of the shadows, steps an Azdgari captain. "Ah ha! There you are! Thank goodness I found you! My name is Captain Scorcher, the captain of the A.E.S. Scorcher, which is cloaked orbiting Ursla. Captain Carnotaur learned about you, and so he sent a coded transmission through the crystal to me about it, but I don't know how he did it. Anyway, I'm hear to help you. I've brought along an Enhanced Azdgari Arada that will allow us to get to Ursla much sooner. Accept my help?"

Suddenly Scorcher glances at some design scematics near Daedalus. "Hey, what are those? Looks like some kind of weapon. What is it?"

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To Escape Velocity: Nova and Beyond!
--------------
Millennium. Its coming, prepare for it.
Coming to the EV Chronicles.

Carnotaur, stop popping out of shadows every time someone tries to deepen the plot. It is getting extremely annoying. Also there is no way that Carno character could have found out about me. You were not present at my conversation with Oasa. (and don't say you were hiding under the Voinian class bed).

I will still continue from your post though.
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Looking over to the Azdgari, Daedalus gives a little smirk and replies.
"No, I think I can handle it."

"As for those designs, take 'em. They are for a faster needle launcher. Don't see how it will help you though. Couldn't track a beached whale if you wanted them to."

Daedalus walks off leaving the stunned Azdgari behind.

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Give them shell! give them solid shot! Damn them, give them anything!

Oops. Sorry. Won't do it again. "But hey wait a second," the Azdgari says. "This data pad has some kind of designs for some kind of beam that has to do with...I don't know how to pronounce it...Eintineium or something like that. Huh?"

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To Escape Velocity: Nova and Beyond!
--------------
Millennium. Its coming, prepare for it.
Coming to the EV Chronicles.

Since Daedalus has already left, Guards come to escort the intruder outside and to his ship. One of them glances at the skematics and laughs, remembering the useless needle missles used by the South Tip renegades in the times of the RA empire.
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In other words, Carnotaur, I assure you. Those were skematics for an enhanced needle launcher. You are welcome to equip your ships with them if you like.

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Give them shell! give them solid shot! Damn them, give them anything!