12-07-2004 07:54									#31
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Yes, I concealed it well.

	12-07-2004 08:17									#32
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First, sarcasm-armed armies, now hyper-ships.
I'm quitting NS, and killing myself.
Goodbye.

	12-07-2004 08:46									#33
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That smiley is getting alot of use.

	12-07-2004 09:31									#34
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Out - Verto : I suspect you meant to say earlier that the cruise would be played out over seven days, even though in "real time" we will have been on the ship for several weeks... That would probably make our realists happy.

In - An extremely ordinary looking converted DC 9 with what appears to be a glowing golden halo where the tail fin normally would be lands at the West Isle airport. The United Good delegation has arrived.

They are greeted by a local band playing their national hymn "United Good for All"... all 28½ minutes of it. Many local onlookers note that the hymn sounds remarkably like "Hotel California", but with a sax riff.

Brother Damien and co. are led to the waiting limos and whisked to the docks. They are quite impressed by the Noblesse ... Damien especially notes the mirror over the round king sized bed in his cabin... perfect for indoctrination ceremonies... should the need arise...

	12-07-2004 11:55									#35
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quote: Originally posted by Squeblish Nef? First, sarcasm-armed armies, now hyper-ships. I'm quitting NS, and killing myself. Goodbye.

	12-07-2004 12:39									#36
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Too late, I'm already dead.
Oh, and the Muslims were right.
You atheists are missing out on a good thing!

	12-07-2004 13:08									#37
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"Nice little city," said Senator Michaelsen. The local driver smiled and turned the government car around a corner.

"This is what you consider a 'little' city, sir?" he asked. It was quite a different dialect of English than that practiced on the shores of the Sea of Storms.

The visiting Senator smiled in return. "Actually, it'd be about the same size as Adailton . . . wouldn't it? Three hundred thousand or so?"

The Noblesse loomed at the dock just ahead. "What a beautiful ship," Michaelsen commented. "You simply must give me the name of the contractor."

"I suspect the Consul would be more helpful in that regard, sir," replied the driver. He engaged the parking brake. "Enjoy your visit."

	12-07-2004 15:47									#38
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Someone who looks like, and probably is, the most Holy Emperor Arkatahten, shows up.

	12-07-2004 16:28									#39
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Kasatra Al Mastif strolls onto the ship, idly juggling a scimitar.
He is flanked by three extremely mean-looking Destrakhanis, one of whom is talking animatedly into his turban.
Farasi Al Mastif follows, his glazed expression and the buzzing sound eminating from his headdress betraying the fact that he is using a HUD. (Icky! Icky grammar! Bad!)
Kharavos is last up, his ornately-wrought arbalest raised in salute.
The rest of the contingent boarded whenever, four only arriving at the last boarding call.

(Need to spend more time on my posts. Icky!)

	12-07-2004 18:17									#40
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The characteristic sound of a helicopter is heard aboard the ESS Noblesse. The sound fades as the helicopter lands. Out of it come three men, two of them armed. The third is the man known only as the Prime Minister of Scorpiania. The scorpians have a long tradition of anonymous ministers and decoys. Very few people know precisely who and where the real Prime Minister is.

This man is probably a decoy.

	12-07-2004 21:33									#41
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While the Consul wrapped up an unexpected call from the Expeditionary Force commander, the captain of the Noblesse arranged from the gathered delegates' luggage be taken to their respective quarters, while he and a small contingent of marines and crewmen, provided them with a brief tour of the Noblesse.

He first lead them up a stairway, having them unknowingly pass through a series of detectors; he noticed at least two men were armed, before he took them up on the deck; the marines would discreetly inform those armed that their weapons would be placed in a secure location for the duration of the voyage.

"This is the aft, top deck swimming pool," the captain explained. "There are three others just like it, should you or your companions wish to make use of them."



The water glistened, the dazzling sunlight reflected onto the glass wall.

Leading them around the pool, he took them inside again.

They stopped briefly at the planetarium.



"You will be some of the first to see images taken from the Intrepid Satellite, which the ESEA recently installed over Mars," the captain noted. "The satellite is one of the most powerful employed by any nation in the world."

They passed a series of small ballrooms and open libraries, before entering what the captain called the Senate Gardens.



With various plantlife arranged around the room, their was a faintly sweet aroma in the air.

"As you will see when you return to your quarters, the Consul has arranged for all of you to enjoy a light breakfast here tomorrow; I trust each of you will enjoy the menu, prepared by some of the finest in the Republic."

A small, dime sized device partially concealed on his black belt beeped twice.

Gesturing for Senator Michaelson to move down the hallway, he lead them back towards where they had entered the ship.

They strode down the wide hallway, the Captain explaining the history or importance of various paintings: Morning Prelude, a watercolor painting from 1701; Resolute, an exquisite marble statue of the three original Consuls dating back to the days of the city-states, and the Ruling Families.

At last, they reached a wide, double-door, flanked by a pair of white uniformed crewmen. The captain, after again welcoming each member, excused himself.

He made his way back down the hallway, disappearing through a side door. The crewmen, after a slight hesitation, slowly opened the doors and bid the delegates pass through.

As they did so, they were greeted by a tall, slim man dressed in a well-tailored business suit. His hair was thinning, his gray hairs giving way to white. He was thin, perhaps too thin. Although still relatively young, he nevertheless walked with a cane. To all the world he kept secret the forces in his body working against him, weakening him long before his time.



From the top of the double staircase, he welcomed them. "Dear friends!" he said. With one hand on the railing, he raised the other in greeting, palm outward. "I greet you as friend and ally." He began making his way down the staircase, as the delegates looked around. "Welcome to the Grand Atrium, and welcome to the Noblesse!"

He shook hands with the delegates and representatives, his blue eyes taking in every detail. "Brother Damien, welcome. Senator, so pleased you are here. Your Majesty," he said to the Holy Emperor Arkatahten. "I am honored to speak with you in person. Kasatra Al Mastif, welcome aboard the Noblesse. Prime Minister, I look forward to making your acquaintance."

At last, when the pleasantries were over, he beckoned them to follow. "If you will come with me, a light lunch has been prepared for us; today is yours to do as you please, for you and your companions to get acquainted with the Noblesse."

	13-07-2004 03:42									#42
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The Arch-Capitalist fishes his monocle out of his 6th Gnollish Stout.
Again.

Kharavos Al Mastif is busy explaining to a group of Scorpianians why their that there money thingomic growth rate is 22.41% below the regional average.

Kasatra Al Mastif attempts to chat up an Emerald Cove aide.

Farasi Al Mastif appears to get more and more nervous.

	13-07-2004 03:52									#43
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The Holy Emperor Arkatahten and four stoic female ninja guards in skimpy costumes approach Kharavos Al Mastif. Arkatahten casts a smoldering eye on the group of Scorpianians and nods politely to Kharavos. "I believe," he says to Kharavos quietly, "that you and I have business to discuss. Shall we grab a drink at the other end of the room where our noses won't be beset by these Scorpianians?"

EDITED FOR CLARITY: changed the word "says" to the phrase "says to Kharavos quietly".

Last edited by arkatahten on 13-07-2004 at 15:47

	13-07-2004 09:34									#44
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Senator Michaelsen shook hands with a tall black man in a new suit, introduced himself, and discovered that his new friend was the Namibia Minister of Tourism.

"I've never been to Namibia," Michaelsen said. "You're a very long way from home."

"Yes," the minister replied. "We came on an Eredron plane, so it didn't take quite as long as it might have, but it does feel strange. Even the sky is different here."

"I can imagine," said Michaelsen. He tried to remember his geography lessons. "Namibia must be . . . two thousand miles south of Flinxland. Not to mention the time difference."

They talked some more about political events in Eredron and its territories. "Overall," the minister concluded, "people in Namibia appreciate what Eredron has done for us."

"I must admit," Michaelsen replied, "that Eredron - and Namibia - hasn't been getting a lot of news coverage in Karakas recently. We've always been an inward-looking country. The reporters tend to think that foreign countries are my problem." He laughed gently.

	13-07-2004 12:09									#45
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Kharavos Al Mastif raises an eyebrow.
"I would not be so rude about our Scorpianian friends. They are good consumers. But, yes, you are right."
He turns to the Scorpianians.
"We will continue this later. Well, my possibly deceptive friend, what have we to discuss? If you wish to discuss tightening our nations' ties even further, I can probably get someone to get Kasatra out from between that very nice girls' legs."

	13-07-2004 15:13									#46
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"Yes, you're probably right about the Scorpianians," the apparent Holy Emperor said to Kharavos Al Mastif, "but I must confess that I'm not well-trained at diplomacy. My predecessor was, but he was recently terminated. In fact, my job truly consists of catching a bullet if necessary, or eating poisoned food. The Holy Emperor Arkatahten is a bit paranoid, and I am not him. In fact, I shouldn't be telling you thi..."

Suddenly, the decoy's face comported into pain. "Aaagh," he said, "a warning. The Holy Emperor can easily self-destruct me with the explosive in my head. I can say no more. He....aaaggghhhh...."

The false Holy Emperor Arkatahten excuses himself to his room, claiming a headache to any who question him on his way.

	13-07-2004 15:47									#47
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Mr Southwitter of the Republic of Recliners is setting up a buffet of chocolates made especially for this occasion.


Come on over and snack and exchange plesantries

	13-07-2004 15:56									#48
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On his way out, the apparent Holy Emperor picks up a piece of chocolate and nods politely to Mr. Southwitter.

"What's the matter?" the delegate asks him.

"Just a headache," he replies.

His hot female ninja guards follow him out of the room. In the hall, they are joined by two members of the Dark Brigade who had been waiting along with a couple of bodyguards from some other nation. The soldiers in their shadowy uniforms and dark hoods follow the emperor down the hall.

Behind them, one of the other bodyguards shrugs. "That holy leader or whatever of theirs sure looked like he had one helluva headache, huh?"

"Yeah," his compatriot replies, "he sure as hell did. And those Dark Brigaders were a little creepy at first, but once you get to know them, they're alright guys."

"Yeah, they're okay but a little too...I don't know the word...uh...something."

Last edited by arkatahten on 13-07-2004 at 16:03

	13-07-2004 17:42									#49
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Farasi stumbles towards Kharavos, his mouth flapping.
"[CENSORED] has been taken! The people are in revolt!"
"Communists?"
"Leninists, maoists and fascists!"
"Together?"
"No, but they're destroying factories! Do you have any idea how much money we stand to lose?"
"Naturally, which is why, using the emergency powers granted to me by the Tooled-Up Sultan himself, I officially disown you from the Hierarchy, revoke your title, and hand your fate over to Xypak Al Mastif. Anything you say or do can, and will, result in even more unbearable agony. Oh, and we're revoking the cerebral implants. They could be very useful to your successor. Now hurry up, because there is a Angelfeather waiting on the helipad to hasten your return."
At these words, Kasatra plunges the taser into Farasi's spine.

	14-07-2004 10:48									#50
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OOC: The Consul is still hanging around, isn't he?

IC: Senator Michaelsen was by the pool, oblivious to the Al Mastifis busily tasering each other inside. He removed his jacket and hung it over a nearby chair.

"Just between you and me, Consul," he said quietly, "we're very concerned on the foreign affairs front. Azan exploded, then Western Apolyton. More fighting in Tassadaria. Why do you think I'm here, and not President Djordjevic and not the Secretary of State?"

He continued, "We've never had that great a relationship with our erstwhile neighbor Greater Chimerica. And they don't have a central government any more - it's every canton for itself. That's the real reason the Octagon just spent a billion dollars on Antarctican airplanes. The Nationalist Party talks about power projection because it's its job to talk about power projection. Right now we're more concerned about Skeln Pass and the Pendelhaven Gap."

	14-07-2004 14:07									#51
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quote: Originally posted by Mr. President ...oblivious to the Al Mastifis busily tasering each other inside.

	14-07-2004 14:11									#52
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Ka-Babel pulled the dark hood from over his face and stared into the mirror. He'd been a member of the Dark Brigade for as long as he could remember, since he was a child.

A day of leisure had been granted to the priest posing as the Holy Emperor Arkatahten and that priest had spoiled it by doing something to invoke the wrath of the God-that-was-Emperor, he of many names, Arkatahten.

The priest lay curled up on his bed in his state suite while Ka-Babel stood in his little room, removing the dark paint from around his eyes.

"Here, let me," Meritatahsherit said as she glided up next to him. She wiped the soldier's make-up from under his eyes and regarded him slyly. "Well," she said, "that oaf of a look-a-like's misfortune is our pleasure. What shall we do?"

Ka-Babel smiled. He kissed the lithe young ninja woman. "The priest has enough guards for now, and so I think his head ninja and the captain of these Dark Brigadiers should enjoy themselves a little."

"And after that," Tah said, "we can explore the ship."

	14-07-2004 18:07									#53
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The "Prime Minister" turns to Kharavos. "We would be happy to provide that there money thingomic assistance to your great nation! If we can be assured that these services will be repayed! We have prospered in the last few years and would gladly help with any internal problems... Like the rioters!". The "Prime Minister" still had the same emotionless expression as he have had during the entire summit.

	14-07-2004 20:02									#54
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"Clearly, Senator, there are troubling events occurring throughout Apolyton; indeed, throughout the world. Less than a year ago, we lost fifty thousand citizens in a devastating terrorist attack. Up until last week, Eredron was facing a possible insurgency in Africa. We must stand together if we are to overcome these challenges.

--------

After the delegates and their companions had refreshed themselves following the activities of the first day, they were taken to have dinner in the Marble Hall.



Featuring the rare striped Emperor fish, with alternative dishes to suit individual tastes and customs, the delegates and their companions watched the newest play from the Republic's national theatre, Three's Company For the Afternoon.



Afterwards, the guests were seen to their suites while the ship was prepared for the next day.

	14-07-2004 20:25									#55
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Dressed in a more relaxed fashion now, the Consul stood on the top deck of the Noblesse, watching the sun rise. Miles away, he could see the frigates, destroyers, the cruisers and carriers - all forming a defensive net around the Noblesse; they surrounded her, maintaining her speed while traveling in a wide, enveloping circle. Below, moving unseen in the calm, warm waters, Virginia attack subs and Ohio ballistic missile submarines followed her course. Half were actively pinging for enemy contacts; the other half remained as silent as possible, ready to strike. The Ohio boomers maintained a constant state of alert, should the call come to surface, and fire their missiles...

"Consul. Consul, the delegates have been awoke and are beginning to gather for breakfast," an ensign said.

Still looking out at the ocean waters, the Consul nodded. "I will be down shortly. Instruct the galley to set out the meals, and ensure that the Planetarium is ready."

	15-07-2004 06:43									#56
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"So, who are we going to replace him with?" Enquires Kasatra, buttering his toast with a noticably unhygenic-looking serrated combat knife.
"The intelligence post will be divided between Metanaban and Faramas' successor, who are both in my pocket. Khaftan will be going to a noteable non-Khaftani hardliner." Replies Kharavos, surreptitiously pouring a pinch of pale blue powder into the Scorpianian "Prime Minister's" wine.
"Who?"
"Yourself. You are capable enough, I take it?"
"But I already have Destrakhan!"
"So? Look, I need Khaftan. I am not about to let Alsalan control two territories. If I attempt to seize it, it will be viewed as an inexcuseable abuse of my delegated power. That's why I have decided to give the responsibility to somebody I can trust. However, your assistant will be one of my best pawns, one of the cream of the Janitors."
"Who is he?"

	15-07-2004 13:20									#57
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As it had been at dinner the night before, so it was now. The Holy Emperor was nowhere to be seen. In his stead, a regal looking couple, Lord Ka-Babel and the Lady Meritatahsherit, sat at the breakfast table. Their entourage of Dark Brigadiers and elite fighting women had arisen earlier and eaten together so that now they could keep a watchful eye. To the untrained eye, Ka-Babel and Meritatahsherit seemed simply nobles, but as Arkatahten was a militaristic police state, the lord and lady were actually much more, well-trained killing machines.

Later they would be indistinguishable from the other Arkatahten guards, but for now they were what they appeared.

While Ka-Babel fielded a question about the status of the Holy Emperor Arkatahten, claiming he was in a holy trance in his stateroom, Meritatahsherit turned to the senator seated next to her.

"Tell me," said Meritatahsherit to Senator Michaelson, "what do you think need be done to safeguard Apolyton from troublesome quarrels and such?"

	15-07-2004 13:32									#58
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A lieutenant in the control room of the Noblesse wondered if he should contact one of his superiors or if this was something simple that he could handle himself. After all, it was only a helicopter and there were enough defensive subs to ward off any threat.

The call came over the radio, "This is Foxtrot Niner X-Ray Fiver Delta on state business of Arkatahten. Our Holy Emperor has requested that we land aboard your vessel so that he can board and receive a container of earth from the holy land to strengthen his communion with the heavens."

"What do they want?" an ensign asked the lieutenant.

"It sounds like they want to deliver a box of dirt."

"That's what I thought."

	15-07-2004 16:05									#59
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Senator Michaelsen tried not to look at Kasatra buttering his toast with a combat knife. "My lady," he replied, "I fear it is human nature to quarrel. Where I come from we have a saying: expect the best, but prepare for the worst."

"So, you're not one of these people who thinks all we need is a little understanding?"

"I only wish it were so easy," Michaelsen replied. Kasatra even looked a little like Crazy Rob Ramirez from his old Army platoon. "I really do. But good intentions don't protect people - weapons protect people."

	15-07-2004 16:05									#60
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Woo-hoo! My first double post of the year.