27!

42!

47!

Hike!

69?

Anyway Commander, it's good to have you back. We'll be in Spacedock for a while as the ship is repaired and upgraded. Shore leave for everybody while the ship is being repaired.

Shore leave? I just return and it's SHORE LEAVE? I've just been on Earth... but then, that was early 21st Century Earth. Oh well, it looks like I can finally go to GiantLand.

Darn! Captain, could someone come help me get Quito out from behind the warp core so I can have shore leave too? Also, it looks like she found some device plugged into the core....Colanator might want to have a look.

{author's note: i understand the ship is damaged, but isn't anyone going to help Patricia ect. on the Moon? if Insane is really bored he could head out there....}

I will assist.

Colanator melts into the shielding surrounding the core. Soon, a shivering Quito is carried out by a metallic arm extending from the core. The arm carefully sets the little alien on the deck, then Colanator morphs back.

I shall examine the device immediately.

Milkshake, Insane, Tacoman and the group are heading back to the bridge.

So, Insane, were have you been for all this time?

Oh, I would have said you wouldn't believe me, but given what happened to you I don't think ANYTHING could be surprising. Well, I crashed my ship and met this... interesting person, who COMPLETELY scoffed at my jedi business. I wished I had offensive force abilities... I also went back in time!

Enesku comes up

Enesku: Yes, and he wrecked a supermarket in his anger against this Frank Conspiracy of his.

Cool, you know, Obsy could probably teach you offensive techniques, if he's not too busy teaching everybody else.

Milkshake smiles

You wouldn't believe the restoration work going back on Earth. Anyway, I thought I had died, and gone to heaven, until I went to my parent's house, and found them gone. All their belongings, furniture, clothes, food, everything's still there. I got EarthPol on their phone, and they checked and said my folks hadn't been seen in two days. I was really freaked now, so then...

Wait, I'm not giving you a chance to talk. What person did you meet?

Enesku, she claims her name is. She's had quite a history. Quite a nefarious history.

Enesku: There's nothing WRONG with what I did. It wasn't my fault. They had it coming to them.

She caused a small-scale war between two planets because of a joke she played.

Enesku: I did it for fun. No-one has a sense of humor! Lighten up, people!

Small-scale war? Not too many were killed, I hope.

I didn't pay attention to the DETAILS, Milkman.

Insane: Milkshake.

Milkshake. I had to save my own skin. It didn't last too long, the planetary rulers realised they'd been had and pursued me. That's when I met him, we crashed on the same planet.

Hm.. So how did you go back in time?

whispers to Milkshake
You see what I've been through for the past while? Simple morals don't seem to reach her!

Enesku: And remember when you attacked that gang?

I was unstable then. And besides, they all survived!

Enesku: Yes, but I'm sure that one with the missing...

I couldn't see what I was doing!

he runs on ahead, in anger.

Enesku: Pathetic.

Oops, simultaneous posts!

Milkshake catches up with Insane

Whoa, Pete, stop. Don't let her get the best of you. If you've been having problems, you can talk to me, or Taco, or anyone else. Is the Franksimilation still affecting you?

Tacoman notices the situation happening on the Moon
HMm.. I wonder what's happening up there...
Milkshake, how about a trip to the moon? Looks like there's something going on...

No... I just... I was Franksimilated, and for a trainer in the Force it's like turning to the dark side. I saw the gang, they looked like Franks, and the vengeance returned. It was like when Adon... he can't remember exactly, the events of that time were rather blurred ... anyway, I did things I didn't mean to, and wrecked a supermarket and casued a lot of damage. I was put in jail but I managed to get out. Maybe shore leave WOULD be a good thing now...

You ought to spend time with Observer. Sounds like you've gotten too close to the Dark Side. Maybe he can help you.

Yeah! That's a good idea. I'll see Obsy about it.

Good. And that's a good idea, Captain. To the moon!

To the moon.

=/\= Insane to Observer. Meet me in a private room somewhere, I have a matter I want to discuss with you. =/\=

Kiehart goes up to the bridge to find the Captain gone. He asks a redshirt where he went. The redshirt explains the situation on the moon. Kiehart nods, then leaves. He jogs to his fighter, and climbs into the cockpit. "Allright Banshee, plot course for Earth's moon."

Someone is looking at a large videoscreen, which shows the Devastators being destroyed, and the aftermath of what has followed.... Finally, the camera pulls back to show a man dressed in black robes, a lightsaber hanging from his belt. He has purple and black skin and solid green eyes.

I knew that they would fail. I must tell my master immediately.

Certainly, Lieutenant. My quarters should be adequate.

(Later...Insane walks into Observer's room. The place is exceptionally tidy, with several objets d'art and historical artifacts placed around the room. Observer walks in from the sleeping area.}

What is it you wish to speak about, Lieutenant?

During my adventure, I saw a group of people who looked like Franks. I overreacted, and began attacking them. No-one was killed, but I shudder to think what could have happened if I had not been knocked unconscious when I was. I must have gone to the dark side... I might have to give up my Force-training.

Coming soon to K-NIT TV 47....

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Bloodplague!

Bloodplague...the story of what happens when a biological weapon goes out of control and creates a race of pseudo-vampires, and the detectives who have to deal with a series of murders by a pseudo-vampire who has evolved beyond expectations!

Tacoman and Milkshake enter the shuttlebay. They are soon joined by Butrfli, whome Tacoman called earlier
Butrfli: So where are we going?
Tacoman: to the Earth's moon. There's something developing. Something of a magical nature. I figured that you might know a little about magic.
Butrfli: I do know something, yes... Earth? I want to see it when we get a chance.
Tacoman: Sounds like an idea. Milkshake, perhaps we can visit the wreckage of the Spidermobile II...

Sure thing, Taco. It's actually a museum now. They built a building over and and have restored a lot of the wreckage to put in exhibit cases.

Actually, I found something on Earth, it might not be good to talk about it now, but you need to know about this. It concerns a mission we had a while ago, that we never got to finish.

Excellent. I need to go to Earth, myself. I have discovered someone there who is attuned to the Lifeblood. I fear that dark forces may be after him as well, and there is a great need to get to him first and protect him.

Ojanon reaches up and adjusts his mask, then places his right hand over his face (Looks like he's doing a Vulcan Mind Meld on himself...}

I...sense....something. I'm not sure what it is, but those among you that are attuned to the Force, as you call it, should be sensing it as well. It is a feeling of unlocked potential, but I cannot determine the source, as yet.

Kiehart reaches the moon ahead of the Captain and the others. Rather than land, he buzzes the surface for awhile. "Banshee, give me a reading. Can you find anything unusual?"

Ojanon looks at Captain Tacoman.

I am not a member of your crew, but I have the urgent feeling that I must accompany you. It must be the Lifeblood telling me something.

Suddenly, the SnowCrane flies away from the spidership. A few seconds later, everyone onboard the spidership, as well as Kiehart, receives the same message:

This is Rocket Ranger. I am sorry that this is short notice, but I have been ordered to report to Saturn for debriefing. After that, I have been asked to attend a seminar and to teach a course at the Space Marshals Academy on Andromeda Prime. I have no idea when I will be back.
In the event of combat, Kent and Wayne have remained behind to pilot the ThunderWolf. However, since I have taken the SnowCrane, the ThunderHammer will not be available.
There are a few new gadgets just waiting for you in my lab should you need them. The lab has been locked and the security system activated. If you need in, I have left the access codes with Furby and Colanator; each has half of the codes.
Captain Tacoman, in the event of extreme danger or an X-cwX attack, I have left something for you in Ops. Use it well.
Unfortunately, I was called away before my newest project was completed; recreations of the wristbands that were given to Tacoman and Milkshake when I first joined the team. They are about 70 percent finished, and will be completed upon my return.
Good luck, and may your troubles be small ones, at least until I get back. Rocket Ranger, out.

A few seconds after the message ends, the SnowCrane goes to warp.

"Good luck Ranger," Kiehart adds. His sensros pick up incoming ships. He turns around to meet them. It's the Cpatain's shuttle, as well as several other small craft. With a smile on his face he keys the communication unit. "Hey Cpatain. Nice of you to show up. Shall I take point?"

The tail end of Rocket Ranger's message reaches not only the LICC, but also a woman, on a cloaked vessel light years away. She takes a deep breath, soothed at the sound of the Ranger's voice. "Oh some day we will meet. And if you won't be with me, I'll make sure no one else can have you." She walks into a room, every inch of space covered with a picture of Ranger. On a table rests a picture of Ranger out of costume, standing arm in arm with another woman. The woman's face has brunt out of the picture, and a picture of the strange women who made this room crudely atatched in it's place. She lights a candle, and begins to pray. Praying that one day she will have Ranger's baby, that they will settle down in a nice farm house on Earth, with a white picket fence.

(A message crackles on the approaching ships' speakers)

kxxxx ...eware of the... zzzzx ...plotonium missiles working, but... ksss ...many targets. bzzzt

shshshshshsh ...so need... vvvvwww to put out fires on the surfa... czzzxxxxxx

(Koenig hits his emergency transporter to return to base, just before his ship explodes)

Steve, after we do this thing on the moon, I would like to see the Spidership museum.
Butrfli: I would like to see it too. If nothing else then to be a support for Taco if he should panic or something. And then perhaps we can take a quick tour of Earth.
Tacoman: Thanks beautiful. I think we can arrange for an Earth tour, right Steve?
Good luck, Rocket.
Kiehart, you can take the lead if you want. I don't know what's out there, and you have the heaftier ship.
So what do you think may be up here, Ojanon?

I see...Padawan. Your fears are understandable, but remember our lesson.."Indulging in hate and revenge is like drinking saltwater...the thirst can only grow." We must discuss these problems, and you will find the way to release your hate and fear of the Franks. I have neglected your teachings about the Dark Side. You must know your enemy, if you are to overcome it. I will contact the Captain and let him know of your needed training, and then we will discuss your experiences.

*sigh* I do not know, Captain. I only know that there is something of great power that we must locate as soon as possible! Whether it is malevolent or benign, I cannot tell. Maybe when we are closer....

I must also tell you that there is someone, who I do not know, on board the spidership with the potential to become a member of my order. I would like to try and discover who later.

Obsy, I mean... Observer... what do you think is the best way to deal with it? Holodeck simulation, punching bag, meditation...?

We must meditate and consider the source of your anger, Padawan. Only when you can feel yourself shielded and protected by the Force, will you let go of your fear and hate.

Observer to Tacoman. I request that myself and Lt. Insane not be disturbed for a few hours.

Now, Padawan, repeat after me...fear leads to anger...anger leads to hate...

(Several hours later, as the Spidermobile approaches the Moon...)

I think we have fixed the root of the problem, Padawan. Keep these lessons in mind, and do not hesitate to rely on the Force. Avoid these negative emotions, and you will be fine.

I will try, Observer. Anyway, I'm going to be working on a new project, I'll see if Rikard can work with me on it. It's a new vehicle for myself.

There is no try, Padawan. A project will be good for you, keep your mind busy. I must get to the bridge.

Kiehart takes a deep breath and steadis his fighter. He has to slow down to keep from pulling too far ahead of the others. "Banshee, focus sensors forward. Those ships behind us can give us fair warning of any attack from the rear. Let me know the second you find something anomolous."

(Superbob steps off of the Turbolift)

Would me stepping of the turbolift qualify as "anomolous".

Steve, what are the sensors picking up?
Butrfli: I think I'm picking up some magical activity around here... I can only sense it generally.

I sense something....dark. I believe the term you would use is...`Bad Ju-Ju'. (Everyone looks at him.) I've been to Earth several times. Its easy to pick up the lingo. Everyone goes back to what they were doing, but still listening. My senses tell me it is in (points to the west) that direction. Shall we proceed?

Kiehart notices the shuttles truning towards the west. "Those jerks could've informed me!" Kiehart brings the fighter abot and pumps the engines just enough to get back in front of the group. Suddenly the hair on the back of Kiehart's neck stands. "Something's coming!" He checks the sensors and sees nothing, but still he feels danger getting dangeriusly close to him.

Adon opened his eyes, sat up, and stretched.

I feel better after that nap. I wonder where everyone is.

Then, Adon felt a shiver run down his spine. He looked in the direction of the moon.

Can it be?

(Komodo's Magic Wears off)

"" Well, I am back to normal. I do know a very powerful, very trustworthy mage. His name is Sauron the White. He's a disciple of Melkor, Good ally of the world. He's currently protecting the Orc people of Bizzaro Middle Earth from Gandalf the Black, wicked servant of the Valar. He is very powerful.

Butrfli: I'm feeling the magical influence more and more as we get closer to our destination. Being raised in a world full of magic does have it's advantages.
Tacoman looks from Butrfli to Ojanon
Good job you two. Hmm.. I'm getting a feeling of unease as we get closer, too...

The turbolift opens, and Adon steps out into the shuttlebay. A yellowshirt runs over carrying a PADD.

Yellowshirt: "It is good to see you awake, sir. We recovered your Combat-Suit after you left it on the planet, but we haven't finished rearming and refueling it."

Adon nodded and handed the yellowshirt a small disk.

I want you to make these modifications to the suit. Let me know when it is finished. If you need to send it to me, use that cargo pod.

Adon pointed to a large pod mounted on the shuttlebay wall. It was little more than a large space, and an engine. Then Adon turned and left the shuttlebay.

The Furbies enter the bridge. But this time they are looking stranger than usual. Furby is dressed as a Ninja and alt-Furby wears robe and skull cap. Together they carry a big spellbook.

Why are you all staring at us? Have you never seen a level 17 Ninja and a level 15 Monk?

(Patricia struggled to strengthen the shield)

What a time for Komodo's spell to wear off.

(Renal Refusal screamed in pain and dropped to the floor dead)

Time to go.

(Patricia transports herself & Donna out of the castle before the surrounding molten rock floods the castle)

Hmm... I'm reading what appears to be a large castle up ahead... Wait.. I've got biosigns... one of which belongs to Soyburger Patricia...
Butrfli: Taco, look!
Butrfli points towards a large castle, currently being surrounded by mounds of molten rock

Ojanon closes his eyes and concentrates. After almost a minute and a half he opens them and looks at Tacoman.

I sense nothing living inside that structure....or what is left of it. Perhaps whoever was in there has fled....or perished.

Enesku approaches Artsy.

So... wanna have some fun?

Sure, Enesku, as long as Quito can tag along and it won't make trouble for the other LICCers. There *is* a battle going on down on the moon right now you know....

Concerned for Quito, who still hasn't stopped shaking, Artsy hopes Enesku will have something in mind to distract the little one.

[author's note: i was waiting for that ]

Kiehart spotted the castle mere seconds before Butrfli and Tacoman did. "Where did that come from?" He keys up the comm unit. "Captain, do you see that? What course of action do you suggest?"

Well Kiehart, according to Ojanon, there's nothing living inside the castle.
Tacoman to Soyburger, what's the status of that castle near you?

A light goes off on Kiehart's console. Banshee has finished compiling information on the starnge ship that finsihed off the last Devastator. "Took you long enough. Now, let's see what we got here." Kiehart's eyes widen. "My that IS a big ship!" Kiehart's console read like this;

Length: 1140 meters
Width: 245 meters
Height: 105 meters
Mass: 48,000 metric tonnes

Kiehart frowns. "Hey, wait a minute! How were you able to calculate mass?"

Rikard wanders around the station until he comes across a small bookstore. He is looking around when a small electronic book catches his eye. The words Don't Panic are on the cover.

This could be useful.

He buys the book and goes to another shop where he buys an antique sword that supposedly has some kind of magic to it. He goes back to the Spidership, drops the items off in his quarters, and goes to the bridge. He walks on and sees that there are only to other officers there. Ensign Adarnta hands him a PADD.
Adarnta: Commander, the Spidership should be done with it's repairs in eight hours. Captain Tacoman, Commander Milkshake and several other crewmembers are on their way to the Moon to possibly aid a battle that is happening there.
Rikard: Thanks, Ensign. Carry on.
Rikard settles into the Captain's chair, one of his favorite parts of the job.

Kiehart makes a vital decision. "Banshee, transmit that information you just gave me to Commander Rikard on the Spidership. The captian has more important things on his mind."

(Patricia & Donna reappear near the Moon's north pole. A fairly deserted region.)

The Many is more powerful than I gave it credit for being. Still it should be weak enough to finish off.

Providing the others do...

(Patricia is thrown for a loop when an attack comes from below the ground.)

They're on the North Pole!

Adon turned and left the bridge. He ran down the corridors until he got to the transporter room and beamed down to the surface.

He materialised just in time to see something come out of the ground and attack Soyburger Patricia. He couldn't realy make out the shape, but he did manage to drive the thing back underground with a few blasts. He ran over to where the thing dropped the women.

Are you ladies all right? What was that thing?

Won't cause trouble for the other LICCers? Oh. My idea might not be so good. I was wanting to create slanderous stories and watch how they develop! See what happens after it's been around a few hunderd people. We might end up in the Galactic Guide to Urban Legends!

Say... what is your name anyway? And who's the kid? She yours? If so she must be the product of an interspecies searches for the right term romance.

Enters the bridge, and approaches Rikard in the captain's chair.

I was wondering if you'd help me with a project I'm going to be working on. I'm going to build a personal vehicle for myself, I've planned it, I was just wondering if you could help with the construction?

I'll look after the little one for you if you like, Artsy!
She strokes the shaking Quito's antenae

Artsy starts laughing, humorous pale pink running ripples in her hair. "I'm not real good at making up stuff for rumor journals! You can try if you want, it could be funny, but I won't be much help. I'm an artist, not a criminal. By the way, my name is Artsy-Fartsy--no jokes about that if you want to keep looking the way you do--and this little one is Quito." She grins, amused by Enesku's choice of terms. "No, she's not mine, I'm just taking care of her. She's some kind of telepathic power conduit, and the cutest kid I've ever seen. Don't you think so?"

Enesku nods, disappointed by Artsy's lack of free-spiritedness (at least by her definition). They shake hands, and Enesku notices a nearly-invisible ring on Artsy's right hand.

Enesku: "What's that?"

The moment she touches it, Artsy jerks her hand back, her color flashing to brilliant blue.

"Don't ever touch that again!" she says, fear clear in her drawn face as well as her color. "You don't know what you're messing with!"

Artsy turns to Ansh. "You can help me watch her if you like, but I don't want her out of my sight right now. . . . She likes running off and she's really nervous about something."

Quito perks up when Ansh touches her, and makes a big show out of showing Ansh the gem that Ojanon gave her.

Ansh: Awww! Cute kid! I'd love to help! I love little children!

Tammy walks up to Enesku from leaning against the wall

Tammy: Hey Enes! I can call u that can I? Good! I c what your definition of fun is! I'll show u mine!

She proceeds to flirt with the nearest male crewmember

Ansh: embaressed Biddy! Not now!

Artsy... starts to snigger I think I'll just call you Artsy... you're pretty green, aren't you? slaps her on the back Well, green at times, I suppose. Can you do flourescent pink???

Biddy, you say your name is? I like your style. LICC won't know what hit them! Nyahaha!

No I'm not called Biddy that's just what my kid sister calls me I'm called Tammara Bridget Tembar. Most people call me Tammy but u can call me Tam! ur Pete's friend are u? Well don't raise ur hopes! He's mine!

Ojanon puts his hands on the sides of his heads, and looks anguished. After a few seconds, he stares into the void. About a minute later, he finally speaks.

I...sense a GREAT evil, an evil more powerful than any that I have encountered in a long time!
We must hurry! It is somewhere toward the North!

He pauses for a second.

We have no time to use the shuttle! Allow me....

(He pulls out a strange cube of malachite, about the size of a small tissue box. He holds it up and the cube begins to glow. Several seconds later, a green energy field surrounds everyone, and they disappear! In a flash, they appear near Commander Adon, Soyburger Patricia, and Donna....)

Well, it appears we have arrived just in time! (The cube quits glowing, and Ojanon places it back under his robes, then looks around, suspiciously.) Something....is not right here!

Prepare all spells! Ready for...what the heck is that?

Artsy does flush hot flourescent pink, from embarassment at what she knew Enesku was thinking of her name. "Okay, go play with someone else...."

Suddenly Quito reaches up to grab her hand, sending yet another telepathic flash to the artist's mind: the familiar image of several beams of light melding into one, except that there were now four instead of five; a figure of light obscured by an identically-shaped shadow; and her ring spinning away and disappearing.

Artsy looked up to find Quito pressed up tight against her, and Ansh looking at both of them with concern.

Ansh: "What was that?"

(Answering Adon's question)

That thing is a diversion! To distract me from my true enemy.

(She sends another magical attack toward The Many)

I thought you were with LICC. What are you doing here?

(Ojanon & the others appear)

Don't tell me the Spidermobile is near this battle?!?

(In space the battle is joined by squad of ships launched from Earth)

Howdy, folks. Admiral Lesley thought you might need some assistance.

(Onward they zoomed)

I'm reading lots of organic matter floating around.

Try and get a sample.

(One ship locks on to a piece and is immediately attacked by other pieces)

I think we have met the enemy.

(Suddenly the ground erupts again as massive rock creatures rise up, separating Patricia and the others. In the air she sees a crystalline creature floating & controlling them, making them attack the others)

Dia-mon!

(She starts to attack when she is struck from behind. She turns and... is paralyzed.

Patricia had sensed Nalrud to be a shapeshifter, but hadn't realized that he was also a powerful telepath. He forced his way past her mental defenses and into her memories. Back, back into the past. Her life in JARD, a dimension where the strong live & the weak deserve to be killed. A dimension where friendship & love are exploitable weaknesses that can get you killed. A dimension where Ysuz Doow survived by doing whatever was necesary to stay alive.

Patricia wanted to fight back, destroy this invader of her mind, but she was helpless as she was forced to live her life over again.

Learning to fight as a child. Being betrayed by those who pretended to be her friends. Isolating her emotions & learning to hide her weaknesses. Studying magic. Then her biggest mistake, Ito.

She encountered him when she was a young woman. He seemed too weak to do her any harm. An inventer with a crazy scheme to travel to another dimension. To find a place that wasn't as brutal. Where you didn't have to expect that one day you would get a knife in the back. He played on her hopes & dreams. He made her fall in love with him. Then when he didn't need her any longer, he shoved her into his machine as a guinea pig.

The machine ripped her apart atom by atom, then put her back together again in the recieving machine. Ito was shocked to see her... alive. Still, he recovered quickly enough to grab his gun.

With a thought she shifted herself in front of him. He fired, but she learned to pack her atoms tightly enough to be bulletproof. She backhanded him. He dropped his gun. With a thought it was in Patricia's hand.)

Ito: Yzus, please, I can explain...

Don't worry. (She set the gun down) I won't shoot you.

(Suddenly Ito's heart appeared between them)

Just doing to you what you did to me.

(Then Nalrud forced Patricia to relive the time months before that incident.
She was Yzus Doow again, with no memory of anything that had happened after that point. Before her stood Ito, the wise, but weak, dreamer she found herself drawn to. He held a knife.)

Ito: Yzus, I know I'm not much, but I cannot live without you. Let us face the world together.

(He handed her the knife, hilt first, and turned his back on her. The ultimate JARD expression of love.)

(Part of her mind cried out) STAB HIM! KILL HIM! For he will... will...
Will what? What will he do? What could he do to me?

(The imaginary knife dropped to the imaginary floor with an imaginary clatter. A smile crossed Yzus' face as she wrapped her arms around who she thought was Ito)

Oh, Ito, my love. Nothing can stop the two of us together.

(Nalrud cast a transportation spell and they were gone)

Soyburger!
Butrfli, get him!
Butrfli: Aye Captain!
Butrfli launches a barrage of spells at both the rock creatures and at Dia Mon. Tacoman is firing all the weapons on his suit at the creatures

Rock, Rock, Rock 'n' Roll High School...

I take it you watched that special that was on today about the Ramones?

*I wanna be Sedated!* - Joey Ramone, R.I.P.


Ojanon reaches into his robes and pulls out a green stick. He presses a hidden stud on it and the stick expands into a battlestaff with glowing malachite caps. He twirls it, and hits the rock creatures with multiple strikes. Where the staff hits, the rock creatures' bodies burst into flames and several seconds later, the creatures begin to explode! A rock creature appears behind Butrfli, but Ojanon rushes to her and smashes it in the face and top of the head. It explodes into millions of pieces.

The battle in joined! (He notices Dai Mon) You shall not defeat us....I swear it! (Ojanon's eyes begin to glow. The shattered pieces of the rock creatures rise up and fly at Dai Mon at Mach 1 velocity!)

Remember your basic geology, Ojanon?

Take this, Diamond-head!

Milkshake pulls out his heat-gun and sends a beam of intense thermal radiation at the enemy, who slowly begins to melt!

Ansh and Quito are playing together, while Artsy sits sketching them. Suddenly Quito jerks upright and screams! The accompanying telepathic sending affects the entire current crew of the Spidership, and sends both Artsy and Ansh reeling back. But when it has passed, Quito sits staring at them as if nothing had gone wrong.

Rikard (over comm system): "What was that!? All stations, report!"

Artsy taps her comm badge. "Sir, I'm not sure, but maybe you'd better get in touch with the Captain and his team. Quito picked up on something a moment ago, but I couldn't tell what it was."

Wow! Maybe something happened down on the moon?

Hey... nice pic. I wish I could draw like you. Ah well, everyone has to start someplace. I'll get myself a paint set. Bye, you folks!

Kiehart watches this battle on the small screen in front of him. "It's looking bad down there. nBanshee, arm Tachyon cannons, full power. We're going to strafe that SOB. Get me a firing solution that will allow us to do maximum damage without hitting any of our people."

Enesku freely begins to draw offensive caracatures of LICC members.

The LICC people on the ground hear the sonic boom of Kiehart's fighter swooping over head, and hear the burst of energy as it fires at the enemy.

Shouldn't that be "Dramatic Moment"?

Insane enters whatever room Artsy, Ansh and Quito were in.

Hey, someone out in the corridor has been drawing some very disrespectful pictures of League members, I was wondering if you had anything to do with it?

Ansh sighs, and suggests to Insane that it was Enesku.

You've met Enesku, have you, Artsy? She's a menace to society! She once caused a small-scale WAR between two planets because she didn't think of the consequences to one of her little "jokes".

(Observer enters the bridge in time to hear Artsy's comm message.)

She's right, Commander. I sense a tremor in the Force. It is very disturbing.

Black life force eh? Well this should take of you.

(She Powers up and glowns turn white. She shoots a spirit arrow at Soy's attacker. She then proceds to bless everyone.)

Someone set us up the bomb

Furby casts Heat Shield and alt-Furby throws the Thermal Pineapple at the enemy. He melts partially and the rest is frozen by an Ice Ball spell.

They are called The Many, aren't they?

Furby casts Lifesteal at maximum level!

Adon was blasting lots of pieces of The Many, but they kept coming.

This isn't working. I do have one trick up my sleeve, and it looks like everyone is far enough away.

Adon lifted off of the ground. He crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes for a few moments. Then, with a snap, Adon extended his arms. Everything around him vanished in a burst of light. He hung in place for a moment and then dropped back to terra firma (or should this be luna firma).

I had better keep that one in reserve for later. Ooh.. There are more of The Many over there!

Adon took off in one direction cutting a swath through the cloud of creatures.

Kiehart realized too late that his strafing attack didn't do much. He popped the emrgency locks on the cockpit. "Banshee, engage autopilot. Return to the Spidership. I'll be coming back up on the shuttle." Kiehart checked his wepaons, then briought the fighter dangerously close to the ground, slowing to almost a dead crawl, barely 4 kph. He leaps out and goes into a roll as he hits thr ground. The cokcpit closes and the fighter takes off. Kiehart rushes towards where the battle is taking place.

Rikard was about to respond to Insane's question when he felt something telepathic. After being stunned for a moment he hit the comm asking for a report. Several station reports flashed by and Artsy's voice came in over the comm.

Artsy-Fartsy: Sir, I'm not sure, but maybe you'd better get in touch with the Captain and his team. Quito picked up on something a moment ago, but I couldn't tell what it was.
Rikard: Thanks Artsy. Rikard to Colanator.
Colanator:Colanator here.
Rikard: How are the impulse engines?
Colanator:87.47% efficiency.
Rikard: Good, Rikard out. Helm, set a course for the Moon. 3/4 impulse.
The Spidership leaves space dock and goes to the Moon. It takes 30 seconds to exit dock and arrive at the Moon.

I'd be happy to help build your ship Pete. Pete?
Rikard looks around but Insane is gone.

Pieces of one of The Many land on Tacoman's back. He spins around and sees Kiehart, smoke coming out of the barrel of his gun. In all the commotion he didn't note the Many that was speeding towards him, or the loud bang of Kiehart's gun. Kiehart smiles, then shouts over the noise, "Better learn to watch you back captain!" Kiehart keeps firing three-round bursts at the Many as they gather around. their number is dwindling.

Don't worry, I'll tell him.

=/\= Bridge to Insane, Rikard says he'd be happy to wrok on your ship. =/\=

Tacoman gets a hail from the Spidership. It's Rikard asking about what's going on. Tacoman explains the situation.
Alright, no more Mr. Nice Captain.
Tacoman activates every weapon on his cybersuit and begins firing into the crowd of the Many. Butrfli is rapidly firing off all the spells at her disposal, rapidly dimenishing the numbers of the Many.

Casts "Brainwashing" at The Many. Some of them start to attack each other, some run away and some simply start to cry and cease fighting. But there are still lots of them left.

When did this turn into a D&D game?

I want to see blasters! Lots of blasters! And spaceships getting blown up! Not any of this wussy magick stuff!

Slaps him.

You fool, that's not D&D!

Kiehart blows apart the last of the Many. With a satisifed grin he puts his gun away. "Well, I doubt that that is truly the last we've seen of them, but they'll certainly be licking thier wounds for awhile won't they?" He turns to the Captain. "Sir, I've been thinking about my place on the ship. You have a lot of shuttles and fighterson board, but no Flight Commander. Someone who's in charge of determining which fighters go where, what shuttles are used, seeing to the maintenence, etc. I glady offer my services. Flight Commander Kiehart has a nice ring to it."

I thought The Many was one mind spread over thousands of parts. How could they attack each other?

Well, now it's one mind spread all over the place.

(Besides who ever reads previous posts anyway?)

Sounds like a good idea, Kiehart. You've got the job.
The group looks over the field of battle where various parts of the Many lay scattered
Soyburger, what happened before we got here? Why were they attacking you, and why was there a castle on the moon?

pssst. Soyburger was kidnapped by Nalrud.

>When did this turn into a D&D game?>

It was on LICC2, board 10.

"Sweet." Kiehart looks around at the mess. "So, is everyone accounted for?"

Ojanon looks intently at Kiehart.

There is something....strange about you, but I cannot sense what it is. (He pauses.) Unfortunately, I also sense that we are not through here yet. There is something left to be done. (He looks around, then points to the Northwest.) About three or four kilometers in that direction.

Time for RAY OF LIGHT

(A bright orb is gathering at her fingertips, as it gathers energy, the longer she waits, the more of her energy will exortoted. Although it will equal the engergy of several suns, it will only affect the unholy darkness.)

I'll give a while to power up.

Let it be known that the Intergalactic Fighting Tournament shall held on June 1st. The best warriors are invited. It shall be held on planet 89867.

Kiehart looks at Ojanon with an odd look. "What do you mean by strange?" But he gets no response. Ojanon is pointing to the Northwest. Kiehart looks in that direction. Kiehart listens as Ojanon said how far it was. He nodded. "Sir, your orders?"

Well since they are near the moon's north pole they shouldn't have far to go.

Tacoman looks in the direction Ojanon is pointing
Butrfli, what do you think?
Butrfli: I've got the same general feeling he has.. whatever's in that direction, we have to face... Other than that....
Tacoman: Ok, everyone back into the ships and go to the disturbance.

Kiehart nods, then climbs into the shuttle. Someone in the shuttle asks, "Hey where's your fighter?" Kiehart doesn't look at the speaker. He merely says, "I sent her home. I was needed on the ground."

Everyone boards the shuttle, which then takes off toward the northwest. Right where Ojanon said, there is a large structure that resembles a Roman Temple (white ionic columns and all) with a purple dome on top.

I...sense something of great importance inside. I also sense a great evil here, but something that we need to bring into our possession, as well.

The shuttle lands near the front of the temple and everyone disembarks. Ojanon notices that there is a silver starburst-shaped emblem carved into the dome right above the entrance of the structure. He points this out to the others.

Is anyone familiar with that particular emblem? I've never seen it before. (Everyone nods) Oh. Well, then. I wonder just who did build it?

Ojanon steps forward about three paces to get a closer look. Suddenly ten silver & gold colored humanoids rise up through the ground. They look particularly nasty and lethal, and each is roughly eight feet tall. Kiehart and Captain Tacoman start to reach for their weapons, but Ojanon raises his hand and tells them to stop.

No! I do not know why, but something tells me that they will leave us alone if we ignore them. And that trying to fight them would only lead to OUR deaths!

LIGHT FROM LIGHT!

(A small expanding beam emerges from her finger tips carperbombing Soy and the demon.)

Well, nothing much happening up here. Helm, take us down and land us near the shuttle's position.

The Spidermobile begins to descend.

(On a dimensional plane between Here & There, Yzus & 'Ito' reappear)

You're really coming along in learning magic.
(She pulls her red hood down & shakes her head & freeing her mouse brown hair)
I can't believe I let you talk me into wearing this outfit! It is so constraining.
(She gestures & Soyburger Patricia's costume vanishes & is replaced with shorts, a small top & knee high boots.)
That's better. Hey! What happened to my tan?

'Ito': Probably a side effect of this place. Now don't lose that outfit. You'll need it, later.

Wow. Do you have that sense of where things are in relation to you, too?

'Ito': uh, yes. Must be another side effect of this place. Look, here comes Arq'am.
(Telepathically Nalrud tells Arq'am that he has erased Soyburger Patricia's memories of the last few years, has taken on the appearance of her old love, Ito, & learned the location of Quito.)

Arq'am: Welcome Ito, & you must be Yzus.

Yes, I must. (Whispers to 'Ito') He's bigger than he appears.

'Ito': Yes. This is a meeting place of sorcerers of various sizes. For courtesy's sake, all appear to be the same size.

Hmmmm...

(Suddenly some Ph'ri appear)
Ph'ri 1: My lord!
Ph'ri 2: The Many and...
Ph'ri 3: ...Dia-mon have also...
All Ph'ri: ...been destroyed!

They don't appear to be the same size.

'Ito': They are not sorcerers. They are servents.

(Suddenly the Ph'ri notice Yzus)
Ph'ri: *gasp*
(They begin buzzing around Yzus)
Ph'ri 1: It...
Ph'ri 2: ...is...
Ph'ri 3: ...her?
Ph'ri 1: Is...
Ph'ri 2: ...it...
Ph'ri 3: ...her?

Arq'am: Quiet!

(Two of the Ph'ri buzz back to Arq'am, but one keeps flying around Yzus' face. Yzus smiles sweetly, & puts her hand out palm up, the Ph'ri tentively lands on it. Faster than the Ph'ri can react Yzus has tightly wrapped her hand around the Ph'ri. She brings the frightened Ph'ri up to her face, and with a malevolent grin asks...)
Who is her?

(Arq'am teleports the Ph'ri out of her hand. It then flies around & cowers behind Arq'am)
Ph'ri 1 (whisper): Her...
Ph'ri 2 (whisper): ...it...
Ph'ri 3 (whisper): ...is.

Arq'am: 'Her' is this person. (A likeness of Soyburger Patricia appears) Soyburger Patricia was a powerful sorcerer in this realm. We thought she could help us. We had come together to reshape this universe into a better place. One of our number had created a creature, Quito Power, capable of giving 3, or more, sorcerers near-omnipotent power. Seeking power for herself she stole Quito, destroyed its creator & all information on how to recreate it. She then started killing the rest of our numbers. At the cost of their own lives 3 of our group destroyed her & 2 other sorcerers.

(One of the Ph'ri was about to say something when one of Arq'am's faces gave it a glaring look)

We have also learned the location of Quito. However, it is possible that Soyburger may have set traps if I were to attempt to get her. Also it is being protected by some powerful people. However, since you appear to be identical to Soyburger you could pretend to be her & recover Quito. If you wish to help in the reshaping of this universe, of course.

(Yzus thinks of all the cruelty & pain she has suffered in her life. The chance to remake the universe and make it a fair & pleasant place to live appeals to her.)
Tell me everything you know about this... (She smiles at the thought of that ludicrous name) Soyburger Patricia.

The group of heros enter the temple. Tacoman looks around and says
Nice place... could use some redecorating, though...
Butrfli, Ojanon, what have you got?
Butrfli: I'm being drawn to that door over there...

Sickbay is empty. Enesku enters and approaches several hyposprays containing various stimulative concoctions. She injects herself with one after the other, repetedly, until the hypos are empty. She leaves sickbay.

Okay, the light didn't work. I'll come up with a direct exorcism spell. Well, not too direct...

Kiehart looks around, hand hovering over the hilt of his sword. The words of Ojanon, fighting them could lead to our deaths, echo through his mind. He hears a strange noise from behind them. He whirls around and sees...

....a ghostly image, a floating head. It is bluish-white and resembles an insectoid. With a booming voice, the head speaks!

You do not comprehend the power of what you seek! To possess it, you must each pass a test!

The head turns to Butrfli. It voice calms down.

You! You must pass a test of Memory! (Butrfli disappears in a burst of yellow light. The head then turns to Kiehart.) You must pass a test of Thought! (Kiehart disappears in a burst of blue light. The head turns to Ojanon.) For you... a test of Wrath! (Ojanon disappears in a burst of red light. The head turns toward Captain Tacoman.) And you....you must pass a test of Power! (Tacoman disappears in a burst of orange light.)

Each hero appears in a very, very large room the color of the burst of light that they disappeared in. They appear near one of the walls. In the middle of the room is a pedestal or altar with something on it. The hero cannot tell what it is until they get closer. In addition, each hero has been stripped of their weapons and equipment, and their powers will not work until they pass (or fail) the test! *


* see the Discussion board, please!

The Spidership lands near the shuttle's position.

Sensor Officer: Commander! We've lost the all traces of Captain Tacoman and their team. They just disappeared.
Rikard: What? Where could they go. We might as well go investigate. Tell Commander Milkshake and Adon this.

The EMH's voice comes in over the comm.

EMH: Commander Rikard, Enesku was just in here. It seems that she came in, injected herself with several stimulants and left.
Rikard: Huh? Where were you?
EMH: Well sir, if you must know, I was golfing on the holodeck. When I was alerted I decided to finish the hole rather than immeadiately go back to Sickbay. One of my asisstants should have been there but they've been know to take breaks.
Rikard: Great, security, find her. Rikard out.
He sits back into the chair.
What a day. What do you think Observer?

Thank you for the update Commander, but I seem to have bigger problems. Apparently, the big, giant head didn't want me, but these guardian things are making me nervou...

The transmission was suddenly cut off. All of the large humanoids turned and looked at Adon.

This could be bad.

Their eyes lit up for an instant, and Adon barely dodged the explosion. It sent him tumbling through the air, and he would have landed head first on the floor but he caught himself on his index finger and used that to flip him over onto his feet.

Shoot at me, will you! Try this on for size!!!

Adon fires his own blast back at the humanoid things. The blast should have destroyed them and a good portion of the temple, but it didn't leave a mark.

This is bad.

Commander, I can't get a transporter lock on Adon, but I do have a skeletal lock on the convenient redshirt with him.

(Activates transporter. The redshirt's skeleton materializes, then collapses to the transporter pad with a clatter.)

Eeeew, yuck. Well, I won't try that again.