Rescue: The Hunt For Jake Grey Part Three

Nitcentral's Bulletin Brash Reflections: L.I.C.C.: The Archangel Trilogy: The Hunt For Jake Grey: Rescue: The Hunt For Jake Grey Part Three
By Brian Webber on Friday, January 19, 2001 - 10:08 pm:

Coruscant.

Seat of the New Republic.

Above the city-planet a portal opens. People in this universe are familiar with the XDCA. Ever since a pirate raid crippled the Rebel's fleet before the Battle of Endor, and until Jake Grey went bad, SWU-3 housed one of the XDCA's shipyards. The XDCA feeling guilty about having failed to stop the pirates, launched their own assault on the Death Star II.

So naturally, no one is exactly shocked to see the purple flash of a dimensional portal opening over the planet.

Carrie's face superimposes over the image of the planet on the viewscreen. "They've recognized our code sir. They're lowering their sheilds for us. Would you like to beam down, or would you prefer taking a shuttle?" Greymoran strokes his beard thoughtfully. "Jackson and I will shuttle down. Have Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar meet us at the XDCA office. Or rather what's left of it. That bomb did a lot of damage."


By Ahz on Friday, January 19, 2001 - 10:53 pm:

Ahz rushes onto the bridge
I found something really important in that debris field... an intact data core. I wanted to make sure we can access it before I told you about it.

Ahz hooks up the core to the computer and begins playing back some of the data. One of the datafiles involves being able to travel between dimensions without opening a portal.


By Hudzen on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 2:23 pm:

Captain, you should not go unarmed. Coruscant can be dangerous.


By Brian Webber on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 3:32 pm:

Greymoran: I find it hard to believe Grey would leave something so important by accident for us to find. It's probably a red herring, but keep working on it Ahz. Maybe, if Grey has a trap in store for us, we can learn how to avoid it. Hudzen, I've been here before. I am friends with many on the Council. But, if it will make you feel better, you may come, but leave that assault rifle. I know it hasn't left your side in almost three years, but walking into the Rpeublic council heavily armed will not look good to our allies.

Carrie: I've powered the shuttle for you sir, but Mon Mothma says the XDCA landing platform was also destroyed when the bomb went off. They sent us the flight pattern to land directly atop the council building.


By Brian Webber on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 5:59 pm:

Keith and Rita enter the bridge, looking tired.

Greymoran: You look you didn't get any sleep.

Rita: We didn't. *rubs her eyes, then squints at the viewscreen* Where the hell are we?

Keith: The planet looks familiar. I think I saw it in a movie once.

Greymoran: We're over Coruscant. Home of the New Republic.

Keith: New Republic? *rubs his own eyes, then yawns* Sounds familiar. So why are we here?

Greymoran: Investigating. We're going to find out exactly what happned when Grey stole the Darksabre. Hudzen and I are going planetside to get a little help. Would either of you like to join me?

Keith: nah. I was just gonna ask you if Rita and I could use sedatives from sickbay so we can finally get some sleep.

Greymoran: Permisison granted. You've eanred it. For that matter, Jackson, Ahz, you should get some sleep too. Carrie can handle vital ship systems for the time being. Hudzen, let's go.


By Plot Point on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 7:17 pm:

Hidden inside an asteroid in the field where Grey brazenly stole the Darksabre from under Jurga the Hutt's nose is Jurga himself, his lakceys, and new Republic spies who had been sent to sabotage the Darksabre project. Among them is General Crix Madine. And he's in worse shape than the others. Grey's Winter Wolfs have been doing quite a number on them all. The Winter Wolfs have a unique ability. They can hurl balls of supercooled energy from their mouths. When it hits, the physical impact is painful in itself, but the area where it hit is affected by frostbite. It's been several weeks since Grey left them here. Two people, both Jurga's, have already died from having forstbite all over their bodies. The wolves have seen to eating them slowly. Thankfully this seems to have bought them time.

"Time for what?" madine mutters to himself. "Everyone thinks we're either dead or jake Grey's playthings by now. They aren't gonna rescue us."


By Jackson Tacoman, quite a sleepy guy on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 9:19 pm:

Sounds like a good idea, sir. Wake me if you need me for anything.
Tacoman exits the bridge and wanders down to his quarters. He suddenly realises how tired he is and falls right to sleep.


By Brian Webber on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 9:48 pm:

Greymoran: Good.

Carrie: You know it wouldn't hurt for you to get some sleep.

Greymoran: My haste spells are keeping me up and jazzed. I'll sleep until I can't cast Haste anymore. Hudzen?


By Hudzen on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 10:38 pm:

It is interesting that we came to this universe. Some here believe that I resemble IG-88, a bounty hunter droid that lives in this universe. I learned about IG-88 while I still worked with Grey. I will leave my weapons here.

He puts his rifle and his sword into his personal storage compartment, puts in his code and locks it.

I am ready, Captain.


By Brian Webber on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 11:34 pm:

Greymoran, head tilted, eyebrow raised: IG-88? You look nothing like him! Your taller for starters. And you have a humanoid head, his head is like a stick with christmas lights. Ah well. And remind me not to ask how you fit that sword in there. *shudders*


By Hudzen on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 1:28 pm:

Really?

Looks in the mirror.

You must not see it.


By Brian Webber on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 3:01 pm:

Greymoran: Your bulkier too. One question though. Why did your builders make you look human, then give you that ugly Robocop-like helmet?


By Brian Webber, being helpful on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 12:38 am:

http://www.geocities.com/greymoransrevenge/Hudson10.jpg Hope that solves your problem Josh! You see, I wrote back in Casting that Hudzen had been rescued from a Red Dwarf episode. This is a high quality vidcap from said epsiode.

*Back to the story*

A shuttle elaves the bay at the rear of the Archangel. It swings around and heads towards the planet. It lands on one of Coruscant's many floating landing platforms. Waiting there are New Republic presidnet Mon Mothma, the Mon Calamari Admiral Ackbar, and several armed NR guards. Hudzena nd Greymoran exit the shuttle. Mon Mothma steps forward and takes Greymoran's hand. "It is good to see you both alive. When Grey began his campaign of terror we'd feared your life. We are glad to see you and Carrie escaped." She turns to Hudzen, and tilts her head. "I don't believe we've met. I am Mon Mothma. You are?"


By Brian Webber on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 3:55 pm:

After a careful re-read Ahz, I have to ask. Why would Grey's info about the expermient be on the Darksabre, when he'd JUST FINSIHED READING IT ABOARD HIS OWN SHIP! Ah well, too late know. We'll say that all his ships share the same computer information and leave it at that.


By Jackson Tacoman, off duty for now on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 6:42 pm:

Tacoman wakes up in his quarters and looks around. Various mementos from the LICC universe are around the room. A picture of the Spidership crew is hanging from a nearby wall, and Tacoman's book about the LICC is on the table by the bed. Tacoman stands, puts on his cyberarmor, and activates the suit's hologrid. The helmet fades, revealing Tacoman's face. He wanders out of his room and heads for the bridge. On the turbolift, Tacoman changes his mind and goes to the messhall, where he finds the Yeagers. Tacoman gets a cup of coffee and something to eat from the replicator and sits with Rita and Keith and starts to chat with them
I've been wondering... just how did you two meet?


By Brian Webber on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 7:15 pm:

Keith: Well, Rita was something of a star at the Academy. She was senior, on her to Command school. I was a freshman. I got great grades in Science, but was failing pretty much everywhere else. Even math. Anyway, some the seniors were asked to tutor students like me who were doing poorly in more than one subject. We weren't children of course, but we weren't really adults either. We both had gone to the academy straight out of college.

Rita: And this one here, he became obsessed with me. *smiling*

Keith: id di not!

Rita: C'mon. Anyway, I was tutoring his roommate in physics, my major before I switched to pilot courses. Anyway, he would often "drop by" the drom room to pick up something he left behind. Text books, notebooks, lucky charms, that kinda ••••, right? Anyway, one day he came in, saying he forget his left sock.

Keith: Oh please.

Rita: I just grabbed him by the collar and said, "If you wanna go out with me, ask already!" And the rest is pretty much history.


By Brian Webber on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 7:40 pm:

*Well, it looks like Josh is gonna be a bit late. I'll hel Hudzen along a bit so he doesn't get lost.*

Hudzen extends his hand, being extra craeful not to grip the older woman's hand too hard. "Hudzen madam President. I serve as security chief under Cpatian Greymoran aboard the Archangel." "I've told you Hudzen, just call me Greymoran. We can restore rank and whatnot once the XDCA has been restored. Anyway, I'm glad you agrred to see me Mon Mothma. We're looking for-" "Grey?" she says. "He's been here allright. Stole the Darksabre just as our people closed in on it. General madine and several Republic agents were on board I'm afraid." Greymoran frowns. "Oh dear. Then it is my sad duty to inform you, the Darksabre self-destructed over a planetary target of Grey's." Mon Mothma frowns. Ackbar lowers his head. "Oh, dear." She sulks away toward the floating vehicle that carried her to the platform. Ackbar steps up to Greymoran. "Sir, with all due respect, are you sure madine and his people were aboard?" Greymoran tilts his head. "I see where you're going with this." He pulls out his comm link. "Ahz, I'm sorry if I woke you, but I want to go over the records of your Darksabre debris analysis. I'll be back aboard the 'Angel in a moment. Hudzen? I want you to stay here and go over the remains of our XDCA building here. I know there wasn't much left after the bomb, but there may still be something we can use to track Grey.


By Hudzen on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 8:06 pm:

Aye Captain.


By Brian Webber on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 8:15 pm:

Greymoran: Good. Use your commlink as soon as you have something. We'll beam it right up.

*Hudzen tilts his head*

Hudzen: But-

Greymoran: I know, XDCA charter forbids using tranporter technology in universes where it does not already exist, but this is an emergency situation. Plus, so far, following XDCA charter has nearly gotten us killed several times, becuase Grey has the same rulebook we do. If we want to stnad a fighting chance, we need to throw the old playbook away. We'll beam it up and have Ahz analyze it.


By Jackson Tacoman on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 6:18 am:

Impressive. You know, Keith, after our little adventure in the Kim Robinson universe, I, or to be more accurate, the original me, started to read the books... They were interesting, but Robinson seems to be interested in somewhat minute details...
I'm just sorry that Maya had to go back to her home dimension... she would have been an interesting addition to both the Spidership and the Archangel.


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 2:42 pm:

Keith: It would've been good for the Spidership maybe, but not for Mars. Maya was way too important.

jackson sighs, than checks the clokc on the mess hall wall. He decides to go up to the bridge. He gets up.

Rita: Uh, wait, Jackson. Um, we were talking about you earlier, before you came in and *shelooks at Keith* we think you try too hard to be like the Real Captain Tacoman.

Keith: She's right you know. I mean, I've had experience with clones and they NEVER turn out exactly like the original, but like you, they try to be, and it creates an internal personality conflict. MPD is common amongst many clones you know.

Rita: Yes, and we think the first step would be for you to wear a different uniform.

Keith: And perhaps drop the Tacoman name and just go as Jackson Dupree.

Rita: I have a good sense for when someone is having trouble jackson, and I feel that you are, like Keith said, going through a personality conflict. I first noticed when you saluted the Spidership II. It wasn't really heartfelt, like you didn't care that much about the ship. You acted like it wasn't really your ship, which it isn't. It's your orignal's ship. THIS, the Archangel is your home. You've spent most of your short existence here after all. The most you ever saw of the Spidership was the place where you were made, and the shuttle bay.

Keith: Just take some time to think about what we said Jackson.


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 7:16 pm:

Greymoran walks on the bridge, and sees that no one is present. "Ahz?" he inquiures. Carries face pops up on the viewscreen. "Oi dude. Ahz brought up the info you requested than returned to bed. he was really tired. He overextended himself a bit in the past week." Greymoran smiles. "I understand. I think I'll turn in as soon as Jackson and the yeagers are back on duty. Let me see that info I requested." Greymoran sits at Keith Yeager's console and studies the records of Ahz's scans of the Darksabre debirs. He smiles. "So, there wasn't anyone aboard. And Grey doesn't keep prisoners on his ship. So that means-" "Crix Madine is still alive?" Carrie interupts. "That's right. And unless I miss my guess, he's somewhere in that asteroid belt where the Darksabre was stolen from, probably being tortured by some of Grey's monsters right now." Greymoran pulls out his comm link. "Hudzen, if you haven't found anything, you better turn the investigation back over to the NR reps. We're leaving in 2 hours."


By Jackson Dupree, taking some advice from friends on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 7:23 pm:

Dupree looks at Keith and Rita
I suppose you two are right. Since the original Tacoman also copied his memories and experiences into me, it's hard not to think of the Spidership as my original home. I'll try to focus more on the Archangel..
And as for a uniform change...
With a press of a few buttons, Dupree's suit changes into clothes that are both casual but functional.
It's amazing how useful a cybersuit like this can actually be... full of places to hide things, the hologrid comes in handy, and there's also the minor weapons system too...
Thanks for the company and the advice. I'll take both to heart.
Giving the two a quick smile, Dupree exits from the messhall and goes up to the bridge, where he wanders to his station. He notices a light on the board, and when checked, reveals itself it be a message from Tacoman in the LICC universe. The message details the brief visit from Jake Grey and his attempt to kill Tacoman.
Dupree to Greymoran, I just got an interesting message from Tacoman in the LICC universe...
Dupree then relates the message to Greymoran


By Hudzen on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 7:24 pm:

Hudzen receives Greymoran's message.
Understood. Captain Tricona, Captain Greymoran has ordered me to return to the ship. Have we found anything?
Tricona: Not something. Someone. An unconcious man. Possible a Grey operative. He's still alive. I'm not sure why we didn't find him the first time.
Hudzen: It is interesting that Grey would leave one of his own men behind to be interrogated. I will take him up to the ship for treatment and questioning, but it is unlikely that he works for Grey, but possible.


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 7:54 pm:

Greymoran: So Grey tried to kill my son. Not surprised. But since he sent me the message himself, it's safe to say the attempt failed. *smiles with pride* I always said he could handle himself well. Hudzen, keep an eye on that man you found. We'll interogate him later.

*Rita and Keith step onto the bridge*

Greymoran: Where's Jackson?

Keith: We passed him in the hall he was checking something out. I assumed it was a diagnostic thing.

Rita: Where are we going?

Greymoran: Hoth system. Or more accuarately, the Hoth asteroid field. I have reason to believe that Crix Madine and his people are alive in there somewhere. We have to find them. They might have a clue as to what Grey will attempt next.

Rita: Yes sir. Course plotted. Shall we use warp drive? It's working again.

Greymoran: It will be faster, so yes. Maximum warp should get us there in 32 hours. Engage!


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 8:43 pm:

A small floating device pulls away from the Archangel as she speeds off towards Hoth. A quick calculation and the device quickly comes up with 7 possible locations for the ship to head off too. It opens a microscopic dimensional portal to STU-98.

Jake Grey: Ah, our little spy droid has done it's job well. Let's see. 7 possible locations. Let's see if, Ah! There! The Hoth system. They're going to see if we left anything behind. Well, this would be the perfect time to teach them that we cannot be easily predicted. TorGal!

TorGal: Yes master?

Jake Grey: I underrstand our internal factories have been able to succesfully duplicate those Shi'ar ships?

TorGal: Yessir. Right down to the ship registration numbers.

Jake Grey: Good. All three ships have been succesfully copied I assume.

TorGal: Yes. Even genetic material from the crew members. That was a little harder, but the total computer dump we did got their genetic information too. The factories also made the technological improvements you ordered sir.

Grey, smiling: Good, good, good. They are well disguised I trust.

TorGal: Well, their Wanderer seems to be able to detect all kinds of deceptions my lord, but it's doubtfull Greymoran will think these ships suspect.

Grey: He will wonder how they got there though. As soon as he's out of the asteroid field, and away from the comm jamming effects of the metals there, we'll have the "Shi'ar" send a distress call. Then, we crush them! *laughs*


By Jackson Dupree on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 6:15 am:

A door on the bridge opens, and Dupree exits the restroom
Hi. did I miss anything? I sent the message, and then went to use the restroom... I noticed that something needed to be repaired, so I did it..
Dupree sits back down at his station


By Brian Webber on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 8:59 pm:

Greymoran: Good and- *pauses* Are you wearing a different uniform?

Carrie: Spiffy. I like it. Casual, yet refined. My visual sensors are falling in love with that outfit.

Greymoran, smiling: Well, I'm glad someone's finally realized how informal this entire misison has become. I think we all should follow your example Jackson. We are en route to the Hoth system. Specifically, the Hoth asteroid field. We have reason to belive that Grey is keeping New Rpublic personal priosner in there somewhere. We're going to try and find them.


By Brian Webber on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 10:44 pm:

http://www.geocities.com/greymoransrevenge/ There is at last, a Greymoran's Revenge website! Take that LICC!


By Brian Webber on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 1:02 am:

Greymoran takes stock of his crew. Ria is at the helm, Jackson is behind him at the tactical console, Hudzen over weapons, Keith moniotring sensors. A thought crosses his mind. He raises an eyebrow and scnas the bridge again. "Hey! Where's Ahz?"


By Jackson Dupree on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 6:19 am:

Thanks, Carrie. I like you, too.. :)
Actually, I'm using the hologrid on my cybersuit to project the casual clothes... The cybersuit is incredibly useful... the hologrid can help me blend in with natives, for one thing... It can help me survive in a variety of environments...


By Ahz on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 10:13 am:

Ahz's voice floats over the intercom.
I'm down in the lab, analyzing those computer components. I haven't found anything new yet. Why, do you need me up there?


By Brian Webber on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 7:31 pm:

Greymoran: No, we just hadn;t heard much from you lately. We made your analytical skills in about 24 hours though. Until then *stretches* I'm going to get some sleep myself.


By Brian Webber on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 8:15 pm:

The Archangel comes out of warp dangerously close to the asteroid field.

Greymoran: By the Gods it'll take forever to find out where Madine is in here!

Rita: I can narrow it down sir. Only 50% of the asteroids here would be large enough and stable enough to hollow out and place any sort of base inside.

Keith: They could be spread out over several asteroids though.

Greymoran: Not likely. We'll go with Rita's plan. Ahz is still in the lab. Send him a map with locations of all those asteroids you mentioned. We'll be able to follow part way, but at some point the field becomes so thick that even our shields might not be able to protect.


By Jackson Dupree on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 6:14 am:

Dupree examines his board and notices something
Sir, I'm reading what could be a base... there's a large group of metals and bioreadings that don't seem to belong with the rest of the asteroids... I can't pinpoint the location, but I can give you a general idea...
Dupree patches the information into Rita's console
That should help in your search, Rita


By Hudzen on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 9:12 am:

That was too easy. It could be a trap.


By Brian Webber on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 3:42 pm:

Greymoran: Posibly, but I don't think so. My Danger Sense spell isn't picking up any decptions. Jackson, send that additional information to Ahz.


By Ahz on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 3:57 pm:

Ahz studying the asteroid readings in an attempt to find the base.

The base is on one of these three asteroids, but I won't know for sure without a more detailed analysis.

The computer beeped as Dupree's readings were inputted.
Ah, that clears things up immensely. The base is right there.

Ahz stood up and faded from view. He faded in on the bridge.
The base is on this asteroid.
And Ahz pointed to a particular asteroid on the screen.


By Brian Webber on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 9:31 pm:

Greymoran: Ahz, the Walking Sensor. I could kiss you! This is amazing work. Rita, how close can you get us to that asteroid?

Rita: Transporter range, although these metals seem to interfere with the signal. We may have to burrow in with a light phaser.

Greymoran: Not neccesary. If you can get just a few hundred meters closer, I can use a teleport spell. I'll have to go alone, but it can be done.

Rita: Can Teleport work through sheilds? I'll have to jack 'em up pretty high to be able to withstand all those asteroids that'll float into us.

Greymoran: All I need is line of sight Rita. Do it. Take power from the life support systems. There are parts of this ship that never get used. Close 'em off, then divert the enrgy form levels. That should be enough. Hudzen, when I get back I'll talk to your prisoner. Is he still sedated?


By Hudzen on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 11:30 am:

He is now awake in our brig.


By Brian Webber on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 10:18 pm:

Greymoran: Good, good.

Rita: We're there sir. I got us as close as I could. The rocsk get pretty thick here.

Carrie: Hmm. More rocks here than an L.A. Super Bowl party.

Keith: What is that supposed to mean?

Carrie: Oh, nothing. Forget I said anything.

Greymoran: We can talk about this later. I'll be back.

*A bright light appears in front of Greymoran. He chants something unitelligible, and steps through it, and is gone. He reappears in a room and finds himself surrounded by rabdi white wolves.*

Greymoran: Oh dear. Rita! Fire at the rock!

Rita, over the comm link: Are you nuts?!?

Greymoran: Just shake it up a bit!

*The wolves leap at Greymoran. Suddenly, the whole room shakes. Greymoran dives to the side. The wolves, distracted, skitter right into a wall. Greymoran raises his hands and lobs a Flaming Arrow at the wolves. The largest one gets hit and falls down dead. The other wolves back up the aainst the wall, whimpering. He walks into an adjacent room, to see a number of figures hanging from the wall by chains. Several of them are dead. One of the prisoners looks up.*

Madine: Wh-who are you?

Greymoran: General madine? I am Greymoran of the XDCA. I'm here to rescue you and your men. Are they any shuttles here or any sort of vehicle that could carry us to my ship?

Madine: Uh, no. And not all of them are my men. Some of them worked for Jurga the Hutt. They're prisoners of the New Republic.

Greymoran: Oh, OK. Well, this is a qunadry, because my Teleport spell will only work on me. Hmm. *he pulls out his comm link* Rita...


By Ahz on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 10:34 pm:

Behind Greymoran there was a yelp. Greymoran turned around to find Ahz standing behind him, holding a beam of light in one hand. Next two him were two halves of a wolf. Ahz turned around and the beam disappeared.

I apologize for the intrusion. One of the wolves worked up the courage to attack. They won't do that again.


By Brian Webber on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 11:16 pm:

Greymoran: Thanks for the assist Ahz. Now, can you get all these people over to the Archangel?


By Ahz on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 11:22 pm:

Alas, no. I can move myself and a limited amount of extra mass with me, but not another person. At least, not at the distances required.


By Brian Webber on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 11:49 pm:

And with out a window pointed at the 'Angel, I can't teleport back myself. Well, this is a problem isn't it? Any ideas Ahz?


By Jackson Dupree on Sunday, January 28, 2001 - 6:43 am:

Listen, I'm not doing anything right now, so I'll take a shuttle and go rescue them. Carrie, watch my console.
With that, Dupree goes down to the shuttle bay and takes a shuttle down to the asteroid
Somebody call for a ride home?


By Brian Webber on Sunday, January 28, 2001 - 8:02 pm:

Greymoran: Looks like it'll take more than one trip. Take Ahz and Madine's people. Madine and I will ride with the prisoners.


By Jackson Dupree on Sunday, January 28, 2001 - 8:10 pm:

Right.
First group, into the shuttle.
Anz and Madine's people enter the shuttle. It arrives back at the Archangel without incident. The first group disembarka and Dupree goes back for Madine, Greymoran, and the prisoners. The second group is taken to the ship without incident, except for a couple of white wolves clinging to the shuttle


By Brian Webber on Monday, January 29, 2001 - 9:40 pm:

Greymoran enters the bridge. "Carrie, Mon Mothma said there were still some Republic ships in the area. The closest should be about five hours away at top speed. Call them over, and we'll transfer madine, his people, and the prisoners. While we wait, I'll go talk to Hudzen's prisoner." Greymoran enters the room and gives the prisoner a good look. He looks familiar for some reason. He stands there looking.

*Note to Josh: I have some ideas of my own for who this person turns out to be, but I figured you had an idea of your own. If so, go ahead. If not, let me know and I'll probably have a new recurring character for us.*


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - 12:21 am:

While Greymoran sits below, with Hudzen waiting just outside the door, Jackson Dupree sits in the Captain's chair on the bridge. After all, SOMEONE should be there in case the New Republic ships arrive before Greymoran is finsihed. It would be unprofessional for someone to see an empty Captain's chair on the bridge of a starship. He even says out loud when keith and Rita give him an odd look. Carrie's atractie face shows up on the screen. her face is so beautiful and human, sometimes people forget she's only a computer. "Hate to spoil your fun there chap, but in this universe there are no visual communicators. At least not any good ones. Audio only I'm afraid. You can still sit there if you wish of course."


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - 12:56 am:

For The Record...

After the inerrogation of the prisoner, I'll be starting up Chapter Five, so please hold off on any mention of the ships coming to pick up madine and his people, and their prisoners. 'Kay?


By Hudzens author on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - 9:12 am:

You can do whatever you want with the prisoner, I just wanted to add a twist to the story.


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - 3:44 pm:

Josh: Oh. OK. Thanks.

*story*

The prisoner looks up, his bald head dirty, his clothes tattered. Greymoran recognizes him immedaitely.

"David? Is that you?"

David's head jerks up. "Greymoran!" The two grab each other and hug like old firends.

Greymoran: Oh man! How did you get here? I thought you went home after the accident.

David: I did, but then an XDCA guy came to my house and said he wanted my help. He told how some guy named Jake was causing trouble and they could use my abilities. I was only in the complex on Coruscant for a few minutes when all hell broke loose.

Greymoran: What happened exactly?

David: Well, I'm a fast learner as you know, so I thought I'd hit the flight simulators. Being a fighter pilot interested me. Anyway, I was in a Star Fury sim when the building blew. Invulnerable or not, getting hit by that much brick still hurts.

Greymoran: Well, how about you come meet my crew, such as it is?

David: Yeah. I already met that Hudzen guy. A little stoic isn't he?

Greymoran: Well, he IS a robot.

David, looking shocked: Really? He sure looked human to me.

Greymoran: That was what the people who built him wanted. Don't ask me why. C'mon. I'll give you the tour.


By Jackson Dupree, learning about things on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - 4:20 pm:

So Carrie, what are some of the more unusual varieties of familiar universes that the XDAC have discovered?


By Brian Webber on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - 4:46 pm:

Carrie: Well, there was a Star Trek universe we visited once where Spock was actually executed under General Order 4. The whole Talosian thing. Then there's the X-Files universe we went to where it was Samantha Mulder and Scully searching for Fox who'd been abducted as child. There are so many others. Do you know there are currently 97 Star Trek universes withing our jurisdiction?

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the bridge, Keith and General Madine are tlaking.

Madine: Nice ship you ship you have here Mr. Yeager.

Kieth: Yes, she is a beaut all right. General, since Greymoran is busy down below, I was curious about something. Did you hear Jake Grey say anything while he was there?

Madine: Well, I caught part of a conversation he had with that green thing he called TorGal. He said something about a Level 9 encrypt, and I think I heard say something that sounded like U-1. Other than that, I'm afraid I don't hvae much to offer.

Kieth: Oh. OK. I'll pass that on to Greymoran. Maybe he'll know.

The turbolift door opens, and out steps Greymoran, chatting with another man. He looks familiar. Keith thinks about it for a second...

Keith: Ohmigod! It's Bruce Willis!

David: Who?

Greymoran: Uh, keith, this is not Bruce Willis. This is an old friend of the XDCA. His name is David Dunn.

Keith: Where have I heard that name before?

Greymoran: It doesn't really matter Keith. He'll be going back to Coruscant with the General.

Madine: Captain?

Greymoran: I can vouch for him personally General. He has some items he'd like to salvage from the XDCA building debris, and wants to grab a souvenir for his son before he goes home.

Rita: Speaking of which, sensors confirm that a New Republic ship approaches, but it's not the cruiser that sent us the reply. I'm running the recognition program and...

Rita stops in shock. She turns around, her mouth wide open.

Rita: It-it's the Millenium Falcon!

To Be Continued on Chapter Four!