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1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
2 ************************* INSTALLED: 8 APR 85 **********************
3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day System operator
4 ************************************************************
5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION
6 PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM.
7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privately owned
8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public.
9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is
10 privately owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which
11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be
12 periodically purged of messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved)
13 To leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the
14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the
15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace
16 the line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up.
17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system.
18 ****************************************************************
19
20 )^*$_*^)_^*@#_)*^#@_)*!)_#^*_!)^*!)_*^)_#!$*^_)!#*^_)!*#^_)!#*^)_!_)^!_)^!^*$^
21 "Watch OUT!", Parity roared, as he grabbed Farley by the shirt, and pulled
22 him out of the way of a passing trolley car. "I told you to be careful. Those
23 things move faster than they appear to be able to. We don't need a NET casualty
24 due to non-mission related occurrences."
25 "Yea, and think of the headlines! NET AGENT FARLEY'S TICKET CANCELLED BY
26 TROLLEY CAR. FILM AT ELEVEN." chimed in Fellows.
27 Farley, who was visibly shaken, quickly straightened hiw shirt, gave Fellows
28 a quick sneer, and pointed across the street.
29 "That's why I was in such a hurry. See that limo over there parked at the
30 boutique? The one with the vanity plates. Look at what the plates say."
31 "M-S L-A-M-B. Ms Lamb! It's probably her car. Good job Farley, but it's
32 not worth getting run over for." Parity warned. "But you did good. You saved
33 us going down to the DMV and running a computer check on our Ms. Lamb."
34 "What now?", asked Fellows. "A tri-tail multi-incognito surveillance? A
35 NET shell-escapades lookout? Or a direct frontal assault?"
36 "Multi-tri-escapade-shell-assault?" Farley mumbled.
37 "Don't let Fellows get to you Farley. I've seen him before in San
38 Francisco. It acts on him like some sort of Elixir. Fellows is unpredictable
39 in this fair city, but he is still one of the best field agents around."
40 "Oh yes Parity... Remember the last time down here, when we went to that
41 'club?' You were quite a sight in..."
42 "Never mind Fellows! You told me it was a normal club. I should have known
43 you would never go to a normal club with me along. Anything to embarrass me, eh
44 Fellows?"
45 "Knock it off you two! The limo is starting to move! How are we going to
46 follow it?" Farley demanded.
47 "Relax." And with a wave of Parity's hand, a cab pulled up in front of
48 the trio. Fellows sat in front; Parity and Farley in back.
49 With a grin, Fellows gave the cabbie his instructions. "I bet you have
50 never heard this before, but FOLLOW THAT CAR!"
51 *)_%$*%)_@*%@#_)%*@#_)%*@#)_%*@#% L'homme sans Parity *%_#)@*%@_#)%*@#_)*%_@#)
52
53 Jason:No problem, hope it helps. Very interesting story.
54 Voyeur:Where did we mess up in our calculations? To be off by that much!
55 *%$)_#%*_#$)%*#_$%*#_)%*#_)$^*#_(@_)#^*_$@^*_)(@#_)*^%_@^_^_#)$*^_#)$^*_#^#*
56 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/MiG/? ? ? ? ? ? ?
57 Jason:Wrong Gray person, MiiiiG showed up, MiG stayed at Lewis&Clark playing
58 Physics. Castle "grey" slime? the least you could do is spell Gray right.
59 {snicker] I havn't had a chance to get the docs from 4i's yet, but I have
60 no problems if they just tell me where to put the 30 volt leads...
61 Jonathan ! Memories of laser shows, severe Pink Floyd worship, ringworld, JCS
62 doing things with a late model oldsmobile that were beyond reality! ah yes,
63 good times. What prompted your return to the modeming comunity, s|op working for
64 the hefty german? Say hi to Greenman for me, by the way, 231-NERD, fastest thing
65 on a phone line. See you there.
66 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?`? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?`? ? ? ?/MiG/? ? ?`? ? ? ?
67 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
68 He had found the cave almost by accident, really; he had taken shelter from a
69 fresh battering of ice and snow when over a small hillock his eyes picked out
70 it's darkly blurred outline. Scrambling, half falling down the slippery bank,
71 Rhian fervently hoped that it was what he thought it was.. and hoped even more
72 fervently that if it was, it wasn't occupied.
73 The cave mouth was huge, taller than a tree and wider than two.
74 stumbling on frozen feet, Rhian clamberdover the high drifts that almost
75 totally filled the entrance. As he cleared the crest, he could feel within the
76 dark, claustrophobic comfort of walls. And something else; something quite
77
78 strange. From somewhere inside the cave he could feel a weird, but utterly
79 welcome sensation. Warmth. It emminated from the walls, the floors; it hung in
80 the air like a blessed curtian between Rhian and the snow. Shrugging it off,
81 He supposed it came from some deep hot
82 springs; the mountians were volcanic. Besides, what possible evil could come
83 or be expected to come from such a kind,benevolent climate? Rhian refused to
84 believe otherwise as he found his way
85 into a warm, and particularly dry ante- cave. As he shed his wet cloak an
86 pack, he could tell by the echoing,
87 hollow sound that filled the chamber that it was much larger than it seemed.
88 With a sore sigh, Rhian resloved to do some exploring. Such caves could hold
89 many fascinating secrets. But not until after he had resigned himself to a good
90 long sleep. And even as the thoughts faded from his mind, he was dead to the
91 world, more comfortable than he had beenin quite some time.
92 Rhian woke slowly, his sleepy browneyes heavy with the soft relaxation
93 that enveloped him. But what he saw caused them to snap open in confusion. What
94 he now could see as a room of stone was brilliantly lit by thirteen evenly
95 spaced torches. Flamelig flickered heavily over a strangely glittering floor.
96 Rhian sat up as quickly as his travel sore muscles would allow, his eyes
97 widening in confusion that quickly
98 began to turn into breathless delight. The floor was covered, from the edges
99 to the center in gleaming treasur; gold silver, emeralds, platinum, rubies;
100 anything that was prescious or beautifullay scattered in a haphazard disorder
101 Rising slowly, Rhian surveyed with bewildered happiness the huge amassment
102 of riches. There were the shining swordsof warriors and the jewels swords of
103 ceremony; golden crowns of long dead kingdoms, bracelets, rings, chains,eons
104 worth of meticulous craftsmanship. He dug his hand ginderly into the pile,
105 lest it be an illusion, created in a frozen mind. The cold, smooth feel of
106 gold met his eager touch. This was no illusion. Catching another handful, he
107 let forth a joyous shout, finally allowing himself to trust in his good fortune
108 As the torchlight danced over the goldenrain, Rhian began to think of the
109 ramifications of life as a rich man. He could now have anything; the good life
110 was within his cgrasp. Anything! A high
111 bred wife, a fortress, an army to vanquish anything he could envision..
112 " Are you enjoying yourself, thief?" A low, raspy voice rumbled from the
113 dark end of the cave. Rhian froze, his
114 heart threatening to burst from the tremendous leap it took within his
115 chest. grasping at a beaten sword, he faced the voice, bacing slowly toward
116 the exit.
117 "Don't go.." The words were more a command than a request, and when Rhian
118 kept moving, a brilliant, white streak of flame shot just to his left, barely
119 missing him. Rhian stopped.
120 " Not paying respect to those whose cave shelters you is rude, but pulling
121 our own sword on us is.. well.. grounds for quite serious punishment." From the
122 gloom, two green eyes shone.
123 " Who are you? " Rhian ventured shakily.
124 The voice was a sneer. " Humans. Nosight for the dark whatsoever. No
125 wonder they so fear it." THe voice rang with contempt. "Well, if we must show
126
127 ourself, we must, though we never have been one to cater to the wishes of men."
128 The voice rang with sarcasm and a great feeling of being put out.
129 Rhian felt himself tense as he saw the huge, black scaled creature emerge,
130 and he knew imeediately what it was.
131
132 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
133 Below, helicopters moving like hornets, swept across the Afghan valley
134 disrupting the spring stillness. Afternoon shadows lengthened over the
135 jumbled slopes of the Hindu Kush mountains. Above, Mohammed Wassir
136 crouched at the mouth of a shallow cave, watching tight-lipped as the
137 Russian gunships left white and grey explosions in their path. He shook
138 his head sadly and moved back into the cave.
139 Mohammed's friend, Ming Louie, sat at the rear of the cave. Dressed
140 in buff colored clothes, he was a stout man with tight Asian features and
141 straight, coarse black hair. Only Ming's speech showed his third gener-
142 ation San Fransiscan heritage. "Are they still at it?"
143 "Yes, my friend, if looks as if they will continue until sunset. As
144 soon as night comes, we will resume our trek to the boarder."
145 "You know, we could get killed this way. The Russians have increased
146 the bounty on out heads." Ming said.
147 "Perhaps it has something to do with you putting saltpeter in their
148 Borsch supply, eh?" Mohammed said. "No matter. Salazar's message stated
149 that we contact him as soon as possible. An urgent matter."
150 "Those limp wimps have no sense of humor," Ming said innocently,
151 "Where do we go once in Pakistan?"
152 "The Thai embassy, they have secure communications we can use."
153 "I can't understand why Salazar didn't tell the courier what he needed
154 He knows that we..." Ming's next words were lost in the din of deafening
155 explosions. The earth rippled. Stone shards fell upon huddled bodies.
156 Both men covered their heads. Dust filled the air like morning fog. The
157 hunters neared their prey.
158 After a moment, silence returned. Ears still ringing, Ming was the
159 first to speak. "Well, Mohammed, this is another fine mess you've gotten
160 me into."
161 "Pardon?" Mohammed asked, his hand cupping his ear.
162 "Forget it!" Ming said disgustedly.
163 The men resumed their wait. Outside, shadows slowly lengthened. The
164 cool mountain evening approached. An evening when silent predators would
165 stalk the unaware.
166 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Valinor~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
167
168 hello there is there anyone interrested in getting together for a special interest group starting in vancouver, wash.
169 SDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSD
170 FORTUNES OF A FOOL: PART II
171 "I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY," IVAN SAID. "I SUPPOSE THAT'S BECAUSE I'M SIMPLE. I NEVER REALIZED THAT I WAS SO WELL OFF."
172 "THAT'S JUST THE TROUBLE WITH MOST PEOPLE,"SAID THE FROG. "THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY'VE GOT IT GOOD."
173 IVAN THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A MOMENT, AND HE DECIDED THAT THE FROG WAS RIGHT. H REALLY HAD THE BEST OF IT. AND, REALIZING THAT,
174 IVAN FELT SORRY FOR THE FROG.
175 "I'LL TELL YOU WHAT," HE SAID "WHY DON'T YOU COME HOME WITH ME?"
176 "AND GET EATEN BY YOUR DOG?" THE FROG SAID. "NO, THANK YOU."
177 "WE DON'T HAVE A DOG," IVAN SAID. "AUNT SONYA HAS A CAT, BUT HE'S OLD AND FAT AND LAZY. HE NEVER LEAVES THE HOUSE, AND IF HE
178 SEES A MOUSE, ALL HE DOES IS LOOK AT IT."
179 "WHERE WOULD I SLEEP?" THE FROG ASKED.
180 "IN THE BARN WITH ME. YOU DON'T TAKE UP MUCH ROOM. AND I COULD SHARE MY MEALS WITH YOU, SINCE YOU DON'T EAT VERY MUCK. AFTER
181 ALL, IT'S ONLY FAIR, SINCE I'M SO MUCH MORE FORTUNATE THAN YOU."
182 "YOU'D DO THAT FOR ME?" THE FROG ASKED.
183 "WHY NOT?" REPLIED IVAN. "IT WOULD COST ME NOTHING, AND WITH YOU AROUND, I'D HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO. I'D LIKE THAT, WOULDN'T
184 YOU?"
185 SO IVAN TOOK THE LITTLE FROG AND PLACED IT GENTLY IN HIS POCKET. AND THAT NIGHT THEY SLEPT TOGETHER IN THE BARN ON THE MATRESS
186 OF WARM STRAW.
187 THE NEXT DAY, THE FROG SAID, "IVAN, I THINK WE SHOULD GET MMARRIED."
188 "MARRIED!?" SAID IVAN, ASTONISHED.
189 "YES, MARRIED," SAID THE FROG. "AFTER ALL, IT'S ONLY RIGHT. I AM FEMALE, AND WE SLEPT TOGETHER ON THE SAME STRAW MATRESS. WHAT
190 WILL PEOPLE SAY?"
191 "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE A FEMALE," SAID IVAN.
192 "THAT CHANGES NOTHING," SAID THE FROG. "PEOPLE WILL TALK."
193 "WHY SHOULD THEY?" ASKED IVAN. "NO ONE KNOWS YOU SPENT THE NIGHT WITH ME."
194 "I KNOW," SAID THE FROG. "AFTER ALL, I HAVE MY PRINCIPLES. WHAT SORT OF A FROG DO YOU THINK I AM?"
195 "BUT...I DON'T WANT TO GET MARRIED," IVAN PROTESTED.
196 "WHY NOT?"
197 IVAN THOUGHT HARD. "I CAN'T AFFORD A WIFE," HE REPLIED TRIUMPHANTLY.
198 "WHAT'S TO AFFORD?" SAID THE FROG. "YOU YOURSELF SAID THAT HAVING ME LIVE WITH YOU COST YOU NOTHING. I EAT ONLY CRUMBES OF STALE199 BREAD AND THE OCCASIONAL ICKY FLY, AND I DON'T TAKE UP MUCH ROOM ON YOUR STRAW MATRESS. BESIDES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY ME
200 CLOTHES, AND I DON'T WEAR ANY JEWELRY. IT WOULD WEIGH ME DOWN. AND YOU DO ADMIT THAT IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO WHO
201 DOESN'T DISMISS EVERYTHING YOU SAY AS BEING UNIMPORTANT."
202 IVAN PURSED HIS LIPS AND GRUDGINGLY CONCEDED THAT THE FROG HAD A POINT. THEN HE BRIGHTENED. "SUPPOSE YOU GIVE BIRTH TO TADPOLES?203 "THAT TAKES TWO YOU KNOW," THE FROG ANSWERED WRYLY. "I CAN HARDLY DO THAT WITHOUT YOUR COOPERATION, AND UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,204 I'M NOT TOO EXCITED BY THE IDEA. SLEEPING WITH YOU IS CHANGING ENOUGH. I HAVE TO WATCH OUT IN CASE YOU ROLL OVER, AND BESIDES,
205 YOU SNORE."
206 IVAN WAS HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO FOLLOW THE FROG'S LOGIC, BUT THEN IVAN HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO FOLLOW ANY KIND OF LOGIC
207 AT ALL. HE FROWNED, THINKING HARD AND TRYING TO COME UP WITH A CONVENIENT EXCUSE TO MAINTAIN HIS BACHELOR STATUS.
208 "I WOULD MARRY YOU," HE SAID AT LAST, "ONLY NO PRIEST WOULD MARRY US. WHAT PRIESTIN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD MARRY A HUMAN TO A
209 FROG?"
210 "IF I CAN FIND A PRIEST TO MARRY US," SAID THE FROG, "THEN WOULD YOU DO IT?"
211 "IF YOU CAN FIND A PRIEST WILLING TO PERFORM THE CEREMONY, THEN I'LL MARRY YOU," SAID IVAN, CONFIDENT THAT NO PRIEST WOULD EVER
212 BE SO HARE-BRAINED AS TO MARRY A PERSON TO A FROG. I MIGHT BE SIMPLE, IVAN THOUGHT, BUT I'M NOT STUPID!
213 UNFORTUNATELY, THE FROG DID FIND SUCH A PRIEST. FATHER DMITRI WAS VERY OLD AND VERY DEAF. HE WAS ALSO BLIND. BUT HE WAS NOT DUMB214 , AND HE COULD SAY THE WORDS. THE CEREMONY WAS TASTEFUL AND, WELL, SIMPLE.
215 SDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSD
216 MORE TO COME!!!
217 SSSSSSSIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLVVVVVVVEEEEEERRRRRRDDDDDDRRRRRRAAAAAAAGGGGGGOOOOONNNNNN
218 Silver Dtragon: You should tell them that the story is not original...
219 I take it you are an SCA member? (As I recall, it was T.I. where I saw the
220 tale before)
221 .............................the apprentice................................
222 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$#
223 Riding in a car in San Fran was quite a different experience than what Farley
224 was used to. The hills made things bad enough for drivers, but the cable cars
225 added a new twist that brought a new meaning to the words 'defensive driving'.
226 "I think the limo's driver has noticed us," L'homme said. "He's trying to
227 evade."
228 "And YOU wouldn't, under the same circumstances?" Fellows asked. "I mean
229 REEEAAAALLLY. Do you believe Ms. Lamb to be quite stupid?"
230 "Don't forget, we still don't know for sure if that's her car. I'm beginning
231 to wonder..."
232 "Wonder what?" asked Fellows. "This is your typical A-Team car chase here.
233 No complications, no worries, except that if we crash, there's a good chance
234 of someone being hurt instead of everyone miraculously crawling out unscathed."
235 Farley, in the meantime, seemed engrossed in the interior of the cab. Some
236 particular detail caught his attention, and his brow furrowed.
237 "Farley?" L'homme asked.
238 Farley, the full impact of his new-found information hitting him, held a
239 finger to his lips to sign silence. Carefully and quietly, he showed the other
240 two a small disk placed under the corner of the floormat. He signaled, in
241 NET sign language he had learned only a few days before, "listening device".
242 The utility of even his crash-course training was beginning to become acutely
243 apparent to him.
244 "Yes, L'homme?" Farley said. He knew that he had to respond, so those
245 that listened would not get suspicous.
246 "Where did you say you made accomodation arrangements?" L'homme said.
247 #Arrangements!# Farley thought. #Does he mean for me to misguide them?#
248 "Why, the local Hilton, of course." In Portland, arrangements had been made
249 at another, less prominent hotel.
250 "Good." L'homme sounded just a bit smug, perhaps glad that Farley had
251 understood him.
252 "Well, Ms. Lamb's driver is getting better all the time," Fellows remarked.
253 The limo was now almost two blocks ahead, and losing it would take no effort
254 at all. Sure enough, it turned several corners in succession and then
255 vanished.
256 "Sorry sirs, I lost 'em, as you might say. Where to?" the cabbie asked.
257 "The Hilton," L'homme said.
258 After a few more minutes, the cab stopped before the Hilton. Fellows paid
259 the cabbie (with not a little grumbling on his part, mentioning something
260 about his 'hard-earned money'), and the three took their suitcases and entered.
261 L'homme and Fellows waited to be in a sizable crowd before speaking.
262 "Just be glad, Farley, that what you discovered wasn't a toxic gas dispenser,
263 or some such device. It seems that we've been discovered prematurely, and that
264 someone doesn't want us dead quite yet."
265 "Well, I'd like to wish our mysterious admirer a good day. It's not everyone
266 who'll record your every quip for posterity," Fellows said.
267 Farley looked a bit white, unlike Fellows. "You all right, Farley?", L'homme
268 asked.
269 "Yeah. This is probably just what I needed. Now I know how Ian felt."
270 "You'll get over it. Now, let's get over to our REAL hotel, but not before
271 we take several detours first. I'd like to make absolutely sure we're not
272 followed."
273 "Ahhh, a bed and a hot bath. Gee, I wonder of NET labs packed my little
274 yellow rubber duckie. You know, don't you L'homme, how I hate to travel
275 without my duckie?"
276 L'homme faced Farley, and said, "It's times like this I repeat to myself,
277 He's one of the best, He's one of the best, He's one of the best, He's..."
278 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# Farley #$##$##$# 22:47 - 04/08/85 #$##$##$##$##$#
279 *****************************************************************************
280 L'HOMME/VOYEUR: I DOUBLE CHECKED, AND VOYEUR IS RIGHT, I THINK THE MISTAKE
281 WAS ASSUMING THAT THE 8"ERS HAD AN AVERAGE OF 5 PER DISK, I GUESS IT WAS
282 MORE LIKE 4.5. AH WELL...
283
284 HERE'S A QUESTION, DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT NUMBER THE 2400 BAUD MODEMS PUT OUT
285 IN THE TERSE MODE WHEN THEY CONNECT AT 2400 BAUD?
286 ************************** CISTOP MIKEY *************************************
287 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
288 As she left for lunch, Rera noticed that at least three of the 18 other
289 booths had been similarly set up.
290 Elseware, the first forray of a Jejkrekian attack group decended toward
291 the planetary capitol at Bideladu, each nova-class attack cruiser unknowingly
292 accompanied by a bevvy of single-ships running etherial.
293 The Jejkrekian plan was to take the capitol and gain a cheap victory by
294 intimidation.
295 The task being persuied by Lananaran space scouts was to identify key
296 officers and battle-communication protocalls of the Jejkrekians.
297 Meanwhile Lananaran space traffic controlers cleared an approach for
298 the Jejkrekians as demanded, doing thair best to keep a streight face and act
299 intimidated.
300 As soon as the scouts had gathered enough to maintain the illusion that
301 all was according to (Jejkrekian) plan, came the first trickey bit. The light
302 merchants, standing till now, patiantly by, brought the heavy sleep canons
303 with which they had been quickly retrofitted to bear.
304 When the Jejkrekian attack fleet finaly came to rest, in vacant lots and
305 other places quickly prepaired, it was with Lananaran crews, their origenal
306 crews slumbering blissfully. As the illusion of continuing invasion was main-
307 tained, special medical crews removed the Jejkrekians to places of safe con-
308 finement and yet other crews, of dedicated teks, moved in to reverse engineer
309 and learn what they might of Jejkrekian military tecnology.
310 Of course no war is ever as simple as all that. This was only the open-
311 ing gambit.
312 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* X^n *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
313
314 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (technical diffs/miffs)
315 I am finding it VERY hard to use this little box for anything more than just
316 composing... I think it's about time for me to ask for some help...
317 IAN, VOYEUR, Do you use the 'little one' for upload capability? *I* can't!
318 You can leave messages pertaining to your results on PCS if you wish...
319 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (a note , relocated)
320 A shallow light shines upon the image of a man that is not there, it casts
321 shadows on his grinning face. He is seen but not heard, his applause falls
322 upon deaf ears. Few people know that he is now not too far away, struggling
323 for his and his ward's life in a valley near a neighboring village. The light
324 then fades, and the image disappears. The projected mind had returned to the
325 body from whence it came, the body of
326 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian 99:04 (from 98:11)
327
328 ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
329 The piper raised one hand and passed it over a small silvery globe. "Is
330 this a crystal ball to fortell the future?" he asked.
331 The answering whisper seemed to hold a certain degree of irritation. "Please
332 use both hands!" his strange companion replied.
333 The piper obediently raised his other hand over the small sphere. As soon
334 as his second palm moved over the globe its silvery hue changed. First, it
335 began to glow, the color deepening toward red as the brilliance increased.
336 By the time it was a yellowish red, it looked as though it had been heated in
337 an alchemists althanor -- the surface was covered with subtly mottled patches
338 of darker and lighter radiance.
339 The piper was somewhat surprised when the dark-cloaked one swept it from the
340 table with a contemptuous mutter.
341 "Let's get on with it!"
342 The piper obediently moved his hands over what appeared to be a deck of
343 cards. As his outstreched hands became vertically aligned with the deck,
344 they began to stir, as though shuffled by invisible hands. Three times the
345 cards riffled themselves, then a single card slid out toward the piper.
346 It flipped over revealing a figure walking along a precipice, carrying a
347 long pole, ignoring the barking of a savage dog. As the piper watched, the
348 figure blurred, his clothing changing to a kilt and plaid, the pole and
349 stick changing to a bagpipe. At the bottom of the card was a value and a
350 title -- 0, The Fool.
351 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
352 hey you,out there in computer land.the termstar bulletin board is getting a new phone number639-xxxx
353 will be 635-xxxx.if you want more info.call 639-xxxx.thanks
354 story
355 once upon a crime.....
356
357 HELLO LADIES AND GERMS!
358
359 HERE IS THE WEEKLY QUOTE QUIZ!
360 (TRY TO GUESS WHERE THIS QUOTE IS FROM)
361
362 "OH YE WHO GO ABOUT SAYING UNTO EACH:
363 'HELLO SAILOR':
364 DOST THOU KNOW THE MAGNITUDE OF THY SIN
365 BEFORE THY GODS?
366 YEA, VERILY, THOU SHALT BE GROUND
367 BETWEEN TWO STONES.
368 SHALL THE ANGRY GODS CAST THY BODDY INTO
369 THE WHIRLPOOL?
370 SURELY, THY EYE SHALL BE PUT OUT WITH A
371 SHARP STICK!
372 EVEN UNTO THE ENDA OF THE EARTH SHALT
373 THOU WANDER AND
374 UNTO THE LAND OF DEAD SHALT THOU BE
375 SENT AT LAST.
376 SURELY THOU SHALT REPENT OF THY CUNNING.
377
378 BYE FOR NOW,
379 -THE JUNKYARD DOG-
380 EXIT
381
382 HEY!!!!
383 LISTEN ALL YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE,I WAS READING BACK AFTER WRITING THE QUOTE QUIZ
384 AND I FOUND THAT I FORGOT TO PUT A BORDER.MY MSG STARTS AT "HELLO LADIES AND
385 GERMS!"
386 I DO NOT WANT TO BE MISTAKEN AS THE PERSON WHO WROTE THAT HORRIBLE FRAZE BEFORE
387 MY MESSAGE.
388 -THE ANGRY JUNKYARD DOG-
389 <+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
390 Zippy: Did you get a call?So I was wrong about the sockets.Oh,well...
391 It is still not a bad price. And rember, Kevin has his built, so if you
392 run into any problems you can call him up and get help.He is very good
393 about helping fello computerusers.After all, HE is fixing up the power
394 supply for the drives......
395 Asp
396 <+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
397 P.S I had a look at the instructionset on the 68000.It sure beats the heck
398 out of the 6502! Kevin has a nice little databook on the chip. He is going
399 to bring it over on thursday...Maby Joel has something going affter all?
400 I don't know........
401 Asp
402 <+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+><+>
403 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*Guru of Bliss*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
404 The substitution of one form of provincialism for another accomplishes, in
405 a spiritual sense at least, nothing!
406 Rather it is the elimination of provincialism itself which is desireable.
407 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
408 The unfortunate thing about cynicism is that it tends to be naive without
409 being innocent.
410 It is innocence without naivett which charicterizes true civilization.
411 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
412 nosrepersonnosrepersonnosrepersonnosrepersonnosrepersonnosrepersonnosreperso
413 Accross the table from person, the figure who had introduced self as
414 Gaurdian seamed about to stirr. All during person's repast and subsiquent
415 quaffing, this one had remained comatose, as if the spirit had been sent out,
416 but in search of what? From time to time, the body would stir slightly and the word castelian
417 would be uttered, but sense could person extract from what the outer ears and eyes could persive.
418 The inner eye told person only that the spirt was elseware. In the INN's bustle, few others
419 seemed to have noticed. To pass the time, person had been telling a story, or fragments there-
420 of out loud to no one in particular. person sat back and looked around to see what would happen
421 next.
422 nosrepersonosreperson
423 Gaurdian: you were setting at that table in the corner wernt you?, or were you?
424
425 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+-
426 -+- Just waiting to add a word, I wait out the conversation patiently.-+-
427 -+-I wait. I comment. I wait longer still. They don't know how desparate-+-
428 -+-I have become; I hear two names in passing, one good and one bad, but-+-
429 -+-both are met with little regard. Do they no longer care that the -+-
430 -+-struggle has made the good one's heart to stone? Constantly aware but-+-
431 -+-without voice? -+-
432 -+- The crowd makes a noise I've only seen written. I rise to leave, -+-
433 -+-the silent intruder, make also the noise, and depart with my head -+-
434 -+-hung low... -+-
435 -+- another day off uselessly spent-+-
436 -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -+- -JUGGLER- -+- -+-
437
438
439 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (see: JUGGLER)
440 nosreperson: Hmmm. The above words seem to carry over my sentiments exactly.
441 Does that answer your question? I hope it does. That and something else
442 I had entered had encapsulated my feeling for the afternoon quite well.
443 You may not know who it was that said the words for me, but both of their
444 voices were clear and distinct; my voice is too reserved at the moment...
445 (in the written form of this guise at least.)
446 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (a slight continuation)
447 "Francis! Help me!" The young Master West's face was in tears from the
448 pain of the arrow that had struck him. He had never known such a feeling in
449 his short life before, even the hand of dicipline enforced by his father could
450 not compare to what he now experienced. Master West's elder brother rushed to
451 his side, his motions awkwardly following through from lack of understanding.
452 "Wipunxit, come to me," said the Guardian. As his companion came to his
453 call, he too moved with some difficulty. "Noone seems to understand just what
454 has happened here," he said as he clutched at the arrow that protruded from his
455 trappings. "It is something I have not even told his father. Here, help me
456 up, if will. I have something to tell the boy before it may be too late."
457 "What have you done, Castellan? How could you have done this to your own
458 Family? What have we ever done to displease you? Wasn't service under my
459 father good enough for you? You traitor!" Francis had at last regained his
460 voice after having seen his brother's condition. If it hadn't been for the
461 support he was providing for his younger brother he would surely have been on
462 top of the Guardian flailing his fists out of pure rage, not concerned with the
463 fact that he too was in pain.
464 The India that was now at the Guardian's side moved so as to be in a
465 position that was between the angry young man and the one that called him.
466 Awullsu was now at the Guardian's side, translating for him.
467 "He wants to know what magic has made the weapon he released to have
468 two sepearate, but whole pieces." She said this while gazing at the shaft in
469 his hand. "Was this magic? I see no other in our midst that is also carrying
470 bow or quiver. Tell me, please."
471 "Yes, but you do not know of it... The boy may, if he has been curious.
472 It all came to be by the power of a man called Edric."
473 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the whispering Guardian 100:02
474
475 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO One on One OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
476 "Hey, Jenny! Get up here! Guess what I've got?" The shout came from upstairs
477 and around the corner but she knew that it had to be Allen. Allen and Jenny
478 were both students at the same high school. He was a sophomore and she was in
479 her junior year.
480 "Yea, Snoop, what do you want now?" she replied as she bounced gleefully up
481 the steps. They had become almost second nature to her now that she visited him
482 after school almost every day. The two were almost inseparable since they had
483 first met at the start of the school year.
484 "So, what did you find, Snoopy? One of your brother's dirty magazines or some-
485 thing?" She never knew what to expect out of him from one moment to the next.
486 "No! Better than that, this is some really neat stuff! Mom must have left it
487 up here by accident."
488 "From your mother? What could THAT be? asked Jenny with a raised eyebrow.
489 She turned the corner and propped herself up against the doorframe that be-
490 longed to Allen's room in such a manner that meant to say 'I'm all ears'.
491 "Guess," he said as he leaned back, lying on his bed with his arms behind
492 his head. He had that devilish grin on his face again, something was amiss.
493 "Oh, no you don't! The last time we fooled around here in your room you
494 almost got us both caught! And besides, your mother is due back any minute..."
495 "No," he laughed, "it's not like that or anything. I just found a box of
496 this stuff sitting on my bed." He pointed at the sack that was now on the table
497 at the side of his bed.
498 "What's that?" she asked, still not trusting his wry smile. Her eyes bacame
499 two small beeds, watching his every action.
500 "DOUGHNUTS!" he blurted as he sat up, arms flying out from behind his head.
501 "What kind?" She was still cautious. She was a picky eater as well.
502 "Maples! And some of the normal stuff..." His hand reached for the sack.
503 "No!" She took a small step forward.
504 "Yea, doughnuts!"
505 "The greasy kind?" She took another step towards the bed.
506 "Uh-huh, just ooooozzing with all that grease." His hand was still fumbling
507 for a loose doughnut to withdraw.
508 "That stuff'll kill you, you know," she said pretending to be concerned.
509 "It sure will. I guess you won't be having any then... Still want one?"
510 "I thought you'd never ask!" she said as she hurled herself onto his bed.
511 "BONZAI! I want some!" The somewhat reserved young woman had now become an
512 animal in lust for her confection depravation. Manners knew no bounds.
513 After about ten minutes of face stuffing and small talk, the two sat back
514 next to each other, turned so they could look at one another. After a few
515 minutes of just staring a each other, Jenny spoke up.
516 "Hey big guy, was it good for you too?"
517 "Yup, you can eat my doughnuts anytime," he said with a grin.
518 "Oooo, don't talk like that to me!" she said as she squirmed in her place.
519 She said it but she didn't mean it...
520 They both wanted more than doughnuts, but now wasn't the time. Oh well.
521 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO One on One OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
522
523
524 /=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/
525 As the words begin to flow by like water under the bridge I feel the
526 warmth of sleep come over me. "Humm." I mumbled. "That made sense. I think.
527 Well at least..." The book falls limply from my laxing grip with a sound that
528 never made it so far as to reach my ears. This was certainly a time for me to
529 unwind now that I was no longer bothered with the events of the previous day.
530 When the pages closed I no longer seemed to to be in the world ruled by short
531 minutes or long seconds. Images and sounds began to form in my head, pleasant
532 sights and soft repeting tones that lingered long after the music had stopped.
533 Words written from tyhe gentle hand were the last I had seen (that
534 night). Ruskina had calmed me once again. I fell into the most restfull sleep
535 I had had in a long time. If only Ruskina could now see the ever fleeting
536 smile that was for the moment on my lips.
537 Piner.
538 /=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/
539
540 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*Dreamtoucher*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
541 Noone seemed to take much notice of the great white wolf as she nerviosly
542 manuvered her way accross the crouded common room of the inn. Person was start-
543 tled by an unexpected nudge. A shaggy white dog-like beast was poking her nose
544 first at person then at the still figure of the Guardian then person again.
545 No he's not realy here right now'. person spoke to snowrunner as if she
546 were scentient. She looked back with something less than total comprehension
547 in her eyes.
548 #do not disturb the traveling one# Dreamtoucher sent to her as he approach-
549 ed the table from the direction of the baths, were he had last been seen many
550 eights of eights of days gone by.
551 You are one who has many forms and travels far' Dreamtoucher said to per-
552 son as he approached the table ware person sat staring at the Gaurdians still
553 form, a look of concern on person's all but unreadable features. I
554 'I too come from a distance of more than space'.
555 'Join us?' person asked, pushing back a chair with a foot, not otherwise
556 moving.
557 Snowrunner settled to the floor beside the chair in which Dreamtoucher sat.
558 'I can see that your friend here has left his body and it may be a good
559 while before he returns'
560 Dreamtoucher then asked the innkeper, who seamed to be near by, to bring
561 two plates of raw meat. person produced the proper coins and offered to pay.
562 'It is not my proper place to drag back someone who may not wish it, but
563 perhaps, being a dreamshaper myself, I can 'go out' and try to see ware your
564 friend has gotten to' Dreamtoucher quietly offered.
565 'I cannot say what is proper here' was persons reply. 'everyone has thair
566 own ways, it is all I can do sometimes to keep track of my own, yet you know
567 your craft, and if it can nudge the flow of matters in a positive direction,
568 that would seem good to me'.
569 Soon the meat arrived and person siped silently as elf and wolf satisfied
570 thair need for sustainence.
571 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
572 There is a place called Rain Forrest I heard about on Tanis. Both have redeam-
573 ing qualities. For what its worth, and on the basis of my as yet limited exp-
574 ierence w/ each, I highly comend. 245-xxxx and 761-xxxx.
575 *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
576 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (slight modification)
577 The activity within The INN went on as normal. No one was upset at the
578 presence of Snowrunner, for they understood that such was not a hostile, or
579 violent being. There was concent. Then Snowrunner showed a brooding face of
580 ever less understanding. Dreamtoucher and person understood though for it was
581 not an uncommon thing that happens in these parts, the fading of the body from
582 one portion of reality to another. It is rare to actually see it, but the act
583 was not uncommon. "The light then fades, and the *IMAGE* disappears."
584 The three that remain exchange glances...
585 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ --->the Guardian 100:ex
586 *****lurkmode****kathyd*******
587
588 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
589 Hmm -- I seem to be caught in a cycle... in the middle one day and down
590 near the limits on the next. Oh, well -- continue story tomorrow.
591 pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
592 *%_)@*%@#_%*_)#@*%_)!*%+!*%_)@#*%_@#%_)@#(%@#_%@)_%*_)%*@!+_)#*%@_)*%@_)*%_@*%
593 Top and bottom. Does that say something about timing, or lack of it?
594 Snowrunner/Dreamtoucher : Glad to see you again, for I thought you both had
595 boughten it way back in the escape from Amber. Remember that big bad PDP11
596 we were all stuck in? When Piper's pipes weren't working and the car that
597 had carried us so far was getting its battery recharged from some of the
598 devices in the Bard's pack. Ah yes...the good old old days... Well anyway,
599 welcome back.
600 Guardian : After reading your last few stories, I have a reading referal for
601 you. Check out a story called 'The Metamorphis' by Franz Kafka. It might be
602 illuminating.
603 Mikey : Thanks for the clarification on the disks. A certain former user of
604 this system may-perhaps-I hope have access to a 'real good' printer that
605 we could use to print off a set of archives. We need to know approx. how many
606 pages there are going to be so we can estimate how much time and paper it
607 is going to take. *%$_)#*%@#_)%* L'homme sans Parity *%_)(#$*%#$_)*%#$_)%##%
TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 607