The Dynasty: A Macabre Nativity, Issue 7 "War Without End Part 2: Extreme Prejudice"
- by Bard

When We Last Left Our Heroes: Having taken the alternate-London by storm, the Dynasty encountered light resistance inside the city-factory. Tapping into the base's computer system, the Architect divined the placement of the aliens' main base in Manchester, inside the crater where they ship had originally landed. With heavy bombers on the way, Jenny ordered a retreat to outside the Manchester base, leaving Rex Mundi to call upon the fury of the molten, living earth to destroy the
cancerous factory. Annihilating the base in a flood of magma and fusion power, the Dynasty has truly come into their own as the heroes of the alternate world.

Player Status: Everyone but Rez was here this time. Rez's current player, LettheWookieWin, is unable to continue with the character due to real life issues. He will be listed as the player of Rez until a replacement is found. We thank him for his contributions to the team and wish him well outside the game.

* The Dynasty stands inside a ruined trainstation outside of the remains
of Manchester, giving no glimpse of what the city may hold.
<Rex_Mundi> "A job well done, would you not say, Miss Artemis?"
* JennyArtemis stares at the fiery plume of the volcano burning the skin
of the night...
<JennyArtemis> "Yeah. Bloody brilliant, luv..."
* Rex_Mundi grins widely
<the_Architect> "So what shall be our next objective?"
<ChenMuYi> I think we can safely consider this our "welcom home" party
* JennyArtemis reaches for a fag and remembers she forgot to buy any.
<JennyArtemis> "Well, I was thinking on having Nick go and bathe the CPU
in some low orbital EMP. Ideas?"
<Spectrum> "Gotta say, Professor, that was really something."
<Spectrum> "Works for me, bosslady."
<Rex_Mundi> "I would agree on that, madam Jenny."
<JennyArtemis> "'Madam.' reminds me of the time I went undercover as
a...nevermind..."
* Rez bites back a snicker
<ChenMuYi> If I may, Jenny, I have some thoughts on the plan of action
<JennyArtemis> "It wasn't funny! I nearly froze off both of me..."
<JennyArtemis> "Yeah?"
* Spectrum mutters, "Here we go again." He sidles up to Rex, "Looks like
mom and dad are gonna fight again. Dibs on the blond."
<ChenMuYi> We dont yet know if the system we are to bombard are sealed
<ChenMuYi> If they are, the EMP would be useless
* Rex_Mundi whispers to Spectrum "My mother and father are not even
here."
<ChenMuYi> I suggest we first probe the installation for weakness, and
then take the proper measures you see fit.
* Spectrum blinks, rolls eyes. "Nevermind."
<ChenMuYi> Just a suggestion, you understand
* JennyArtemis nods.
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, are their systems too well shielded against an
EMP from Spectrum?"
<the_Architect> "Not necessarily, Detective Inspector. I do however
have concerns that Mister Carpenter's assault may have undesired effects
on unrelated systems."
<JennyArtemis> "Undesired effects?"
<JennyArtemis> "Not like releasing a pyroclastic cloud into the lower
atmosphere at six hundred KPH?"
<the_Architect> "I would not suggest a detonation, no. My talents would
be better suited to disabling their hardware with minimal collateral
damage."
<JennyArtemis> "I was talking about the volcano, luv."
<ChenMuYi> It does seem more sound than going nuclear on every threat we
encounter, Detective Inspector
<Rex_Mundi> "It is not hurting anyone we would feel sorry for..."
<Spectrum> "You know, I don't HAVE to nuke everything..."
<ChenMuYi> True enough, but how many of us can survive nuclear
conditions?
<the_Architect> "Triggering a nuclear cascade reaction would certainly
have unfortunate side effects on those of us who require oxygen from our
environment."
<Rez> "'Ey! Maybe I could 'port the cloud int' space? Work better'n a
dingo in a water hole, that would."
<ChenMuYi> If you pone a warp to let those gasses out, you will create a
vacum effect.
<ChenMuYi> A potentially dangerous one
<Rez> "Eh, not really. Done it with brush fires 'afore."
<JennyArtemis> "Radiation is like butter, darlings. We'll just let Jenny
smooth it over, won't we?"
<the_Architect> "If you wish."
* JennyArtemis turns to Spectrum:
<JennyArtemis> "Do you have to go nuke to produce an EMP? Is that your
only option?"
<ChenMuYi> If you can turn fallout into less hostile conditions, then I
have no objections
<ChenMuYi> But one must wonder: did the previous Dynasty ever try this?
<Spectrum> "Well, not really. I suppose I could just kick the
electromagnetic currents around on a base level or something. I can do
decent EMPs if I'm close, never done a low atmospheric one before."
<JennyArtemis> "Well, just trying to consider your safety, luv. if you
wanna do it from five feet above the place, I don't care. I just wanna
know if you can do it..."
<ChenMuYi> This tactic seems like one very obvious. I cant help but
think our alternates have tried this. A more clandestine operation
wouldnt be expected from a group as powerful as we are, collectively
<JennyArtemis> "What do you suggest?"
<ChenMuYi> I suggest the Architect move in and scramble their
communication while they are still in dissarray
<JennyArtemis> "The thing is, we're gon'ter lose the advantage given us
by surprise and swift bruitality before long."
<ChenMuYi> While they are so occupied, we can make advaces on their
reserves and dwindle their military might. The Fun way.
<JennyArtemis> "Stealth sounds bloody magic, darling. If we can manage
it."
<ChenMuYi> It shouldnt be a problem.
<Rex_Mundi> "Shall I support the infiltration team?"
<Rez> "Want me t'do some 'porting there, sheila?"
<JennyArtemis> "The infiltration team will bloody-well need schematics.
Keiko, do you have any on hand, luv?"
<ChenMuYi> In case it wasnt obvious, I will volunteer to take point in
the infiltration. Unless, of course, you were care to take the reigns,
Detective Inspector
<JennyArtemis> "In being a sneaky little sod, I'll always prefer to
defer, thanks..."
<the_Architect> "Accessing and translating."
* ChenMuYi bows slightly, and with a smug grin "As you command"
* the_Architect closes her eyes and streams of coding runs over her
exposed bodily surfaces.
* JennyArtemis chuckles.
<JennyArtemis> "Rez, darling, we're kinda drawing flies. Maybe a swift
relocation is in order?"
<Rez> "Ai ai, sheila. Where to?"
<the_Architect> "Locations are named, but not blueprinted. Significant
religious overtones."
* JennyArtemis nods to Rez. "Down bloody under."
* Rez gives a happy grin. "Too right!"
<Rez> "Gather 'round, folks."
<the_Architect> "I believe I am intercepting a radio communication from
the enemy Queen. Translating."
<the_Architect> "She is insisting that we're going to die again, and
that soon they'll have access to our planet's resources to revitalize
their ship."
<the_Architect> "And their genomes."
<JennyArtemis> "Any sort of a time table, darling?"
<the_Architect> "Not in the propoganda being presented at the moment,
Detective Inspector."
<the_Architect> "Although their first wave is being advertised as nearly
ready to launch."
<Spectrum> "So that means we ought to be charbroiling the bastards
soon?"
<JennyArtemis> "It means stealth might not be an option unless we can do
it quickly..."
<ChenMuYi> Detective Inspector, we need to scramble their communications
soon
<ChenMuYi> Specifically, their Quaeens transmissions
<Spectrum> "Ah hell, I can do that one."
<JennyArtemis> "Well, We're gon'ter go with Nicholas's EMP. If it fails,
it should still provide enough confusion that we can still roll with
your idea, Yi."
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative
<the_Architect> "Launch sites prepared across the world. And they are
now aware of our presence. I would not recommend dividing our
resources. A direct annhilation of Manchester would be more efficient."

<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, as soon as we get confirm on their systems being
scrambled, I want to hit the command center."
* Rez just sighs
<JennyArtemis> "And I mean, bloody well Star Wars-like."
<the_Architect> "I will need interior access to their systems in order
to disable anything significant through the capital ship's hardware
defenses."
<Rez> "Anyone got a pic've inside?"
* the_Architect weaves her right hand into a holographic projection
matrix, displaying a arch-structure forty feet high and a hundred feed
wide, with some kind of stained glass window in the center and an
inscription in what appears to be archaic Latin. "Will this suffice,
Mister Strathmour?"
<Rez> "Flamin hell, yeah!"
* Spectrum whistles, "Is that...Latin?"
<the_Architect> "It would appear so. Possibly from the time of the
Roman Empire."

<ChenMuYi> Can we pick this up later? Not to rush anyone, but we are
public enemy number one at the moment
<Rex_Mundi> "Yes. Shall we get a moving?"
<JennyArtemis> "Let's move."
* Rex_Mundi moves up to Rez
* Rez gathers everyone around, holds out his arms, and teleports the
group...
* ...or tries to. The air is like honey as they fight their way through
it, finally landing in a shadowed plain, somewaht exhausted
<JennyArtemis> "What the hell?"
<Rex_Mundi> "What happened?"
* Rex_Mundi looks aound
* ChenMuYi draws both of his DE's in preparation
<Rez> This oughta be Big Uluru.
<Rex_Mundi> "What is big Uluru?"
<JennyArtemis> "You mean all of Australia doesn't normally look like
this?"
<Rez> "Eh, didn't one've you blokes say somethin about a big stone
wall?"
<the_Architect> "Yes."
<Rex_Mundi> "Yes."
<Spectrum> "That'd make sense. The wall is high enough to block out the
setting sun. Lemme give us some light."
* Spectrum flares into a bright blue radiance, illuminating the peak on
which they stand.
<JennyArtemis> "'No worries...' Alright, keiko, anything you could tell
us about the structure, layous whatever of the manchester ship would be
magic."
<JennyArtemis> layouts
<the_Architect> "HUMAN radio signal detected."
* Spectrum concentrates, "I've got it to. Damn, Rez, they make as
little sense as you dod."
<ChenMuYi> Vector, coordinates?
* JennyArtemis sighs heavily. 1"Now what?"
<ChenMuYi> Do either of you have an idea of the trnasmission origins?
<the_Architect> "Sydney."
<Spectrum> "It's been a while...but yeah. Sidney."
<Rez> "Good ole blue, eh!"
<the_Architect> "Military response to our intrustion through..."
<ChenMuYi> Then our course becomes clear.
* the_Architect turns to Rez. "Your barrier."
<JennyArtemis> "Got an ETA for us?"
<Rez> "Mine?"
<the_Architect> "Still on the ground."
<the_Architect> "I recommend making direct radio contact. Altitude
would be an advantage. Mister Strathmour, please come with me."
<Rez> "Whatcha want, Sheila?"
* the_Architect holds out her hand to Rez as rocket-thrusters grow out
of her back and legs. "To let them know they don't want to shoot at
us."
<ChenMuYi> Detective Inspector, I reccomend we start hitting military
outposts, while the situation in still ours to manipulate
<ChenMuYi> Any thoughts?
<Rex_Mundi> "Are not the humans on our side?"
<the_Architect> "They do not yet know who we are. They know that we are
dead, after all."
<JennyArtemis> "Wow. People. Bloody novel."
<Spectrum> "They're closing in. I...hell. I think they've got Novas!"
<Rex_Mundi> "This could be... troublesome."
<JennyArtemis> "Defend yourselves if attacked, but no provoking the
tortured, enslaved humans, darlings."
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative!
* Spectrum rockets into the sky. "Spectrum to Jenny. Looks like we've
got 3...no...4 fliers coming our way. They look human!"
<Rex_Mundi> "As you wish, miss Artemis.2
* the_Architect extends her hands into parabolic radio transmitters,
which she points in the new arrivals' direction. "This is Keiko
Nagashima of the alternate Dynasty. Repeat Dynasty. We have come to
assist you. Please respond."
* JennyArtemis murmurs under her breath. "Makes it sound like the bench
warmers..."
<the_Architect> "Trying not to look like mere imposters, Detective
Inspector."
* JennyArtemis murmurs again under her breath with a savage grin; "Can't
even mumble to yerself round here..."
<ChenMuYi> Prepare to responde as needed, people
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Jenny. Bosslady...I want to do a hologram of
us."
<JennyArtemis> "Fine by me. Anything to keep us from having to kill
humans."
* Spectrum hovers in mid air. Then, like holographic gods, the Dynasty
appears in the air, each member over a hundred feet tall, in full color.

* The fliers are closing in now, visible as dots on the horizon.
<ChenMuYi> Spectrum from Yi, advise not to split your concentration.
Architect is already attempting contact.
* Rex_Mundi gets in front of the less sturdy members near him
* The fliers begin to slow down as they approach.
* There are indeed four fliers, each one a glowing beacon in the night.
Two women, two men. The first man is dressed in a leather jacket with
metal studs all over it and wearing a pair of mirrorshades. It looks
like his clothes are keeping him aloft.
* the_Architect continues to address the new arrivals. "I trust that
you recognize my voice. We have been sent to your universe to combat the
alien Coalition. We have just destroyed their factory complex in London.
We would like to work with you against our common enemy. Please return
radio contact."
* The second woman is nude but featurless under her brilliant corona of
light. Another is a Chinese man, body aflame.
* The last woman is Indian, and appears to be flying on a cloud of
vapor.
<Rex_Mundi> "This is an odd collection of people."
<JennyArtemis> "And at least two look familiar."
<Rez> "Eh! Michelle, baby!"
<Caroline> "I am Caroline Fong for the Resistance. You're...not the
Dynasty from thsi world?"
<JennyArtemis> "That's pretty much right, darling."
<Rex_Mundi> "My thinking was that the Dynasty of this world was dead."
<Bard_> <Caroline> "Indeed. It was a tragedy. We've been getting
reports of attacks on the Coalition outposts by people who might have
been the Dynasty...but we hardly believed it."
* Rez and Corona are talking off to one side.
<JennyArtemis> "Well, believe it."
<JennyArtemis> "By the by, any of you folks got a fag?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Mr. Rez brought us to this dimension. We are here to stop
an invasion into our own. And possibilities of such, preferably
permanent."
* Skew reaches into his pocket and throws Jenny a white pack with
"Ciggarettes" written on it.
<the_Architect> "
* JennyArtemis catches them and winks at Skew. "Thanks, luv."
* Skew grins back at her and nods.
* JennyArtemis goes about lighting up a smoke and takes a long, hard
fought drag.
<the_Architect> "Would it be unreasonable to ask that this conversation
relocate to ground level? I am not entirely certain that my radio link
will not be detected."
* Spectrum comes down to the ground.
<Caroline> "Certainly. We've got a base about four miles from here.
Underground. Rez should be able to take us there."
<JennyArtemis> "Sounds magic. And we can chat."
* Rez nods, "Eh. I think she's talkin 'bout me grandad's ol' shanty."
<Rex_Mundi> "Let us go then?"
<JennyArtemis> "Let's do it, darlings."
* ChenMuYi says"Im game", but locks and loads, just in case
* Rez nods and opens a Warp gate to one side of the group.
* the_Architect walks through the gate without hesitation.
* ChenMuYi holds back in reserve, falling in after the last man goes
through the warp
* Rex_Mundi walks through quickly
* JennyArtemis follows, stuffing the pack of ciggies into a pocket...
* The group steps through outside an old shack. There are several
armed, tough looking Australians with gamma rifles standing around
outside it
* Caroline exchanges a few choice words with them, and the Dynasty is
let into the shack and down the log stairs inside the trapdoor in front
of the door.
* Rex_Mundi walks down the stairs
<JennyArtemis> "Down we go, eh?"
* ChenMuYi walks up and stares one of the rough looking guards int the
face
* Caroline leads them downards, "Although Sidney and Melbourne are still
standing, we had to start building underground to ensure premium
conditions for growth and life."
* ChenMuYi says "Nice piece of equipment. Ill be seeing you"
<JennyArtemis> "Right. With the lack of the sun for the 5km tall
wall..."
<Splash> "Professor Vladimir rose the wall up to keep the low flying
Coalition ships outside. Mr.Strathmour created a teleportation buffer,
while the Architect and you, Ms.Artemis, designed weapons systems and
defenses. Yi and Dr.Cray worked with our troops to optomize defenses."
<Corona> "I was meaning to ask...where IS Dr.Cray?"
<ChenMuYi> Dr.Cray wasnt able to make the trip
<JennyArtemis> Glances around. "er, yeah..."
<ChenMuYi> That could change, but we cant say for certain
<Caroline> "A pity. She was one of the greatest Nova scientists that
ever lived. We only have about twenty Novas here, counting ourselves."
<the_Architect> "I lack her particular expertise, but I will endeavor to
help in that regard however I can."
<ChenMuYi> We will discuss that later Keiko. What can you tell us about
the Coalition, Corona?
* JennyArtemis folds her arms across her chest and enjoys her smoke
while watching the novas closely.
<Corona> "They Coalition're the lastiest blighters I've ever seen. They
made a lightning strike while everyone was still reelin from N-Day AND
Aliens. Relations started off all nice an fancy. Some blokes called Aeon
came in t'mediate. Real weird buggers, to. One've...Frost, I think 'is
name was, was all tellin people 'ow the aliens was gonna make the world
better an all that."
<Rex_Mundi> "Frost?"
<JennyArtemis> "Frost, eh?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Nicholas Frost?"
<ChenMuYi> Do tell
<the_Architect> "I am utterly unsurprised by this."
<JennyArtemis> "What could surprise a woman composed of sentient
nanites?"
<the_Architect> "Earnest Goes to Camp."
<the_Architect> "I still cannot fathom the appeal of that film."
<Caroline> "What Michelle is leaving out is that we had about six months
of good, diplomatic relations with the Coalition. They even payed
Britain reperations in technology for the damage caused to Manchester by
their crash landing. They didn't seem...hostile. Then, one day while
we were all just sitting around, they attacked. It was fast, too damn
fast. Everything that involved alien technology went haywire, completly
out of control. They had us by '00."
* JennyArtemis thinks about it for a second. "good rejoinder, darling."

<ChenMuYi> No suprises there
<JennyArtemis> "At what point did the Dynasty fight the buggers?"
<Caroline> "About 2004. They'd been on the fringes of Nova and world
society for a while, like they knew something was up. We never really
knew why, but they said something about all of them having 'bad
feelings' about the Coalition."
<Skew> "Fuck were they ever right. Damn things killed 50 million people
in the first week of their attack. Fifty fucking million!"
<ChenMuYi> Sounds about right
* Rex_Mundi seems deep in thought for a while
<Rex_Mundi> "Did I wear spandex?"
<ChenMuYi> Professor, please!
* JennyArtemis sighs.
<JennyArtemis> "Please describe for us the battle between the Dynasty
and the aliens."
* Splash laughs, a burbling sound, "Well, you certainly were something
right out of the comic books. All of you. Shining beacons of hope to the
world."
<Rex_Mundi> "You can't take things too serious as an elite. It will just
make you break."
* ChenMuYi leans in close enough to whisper to Rex;"I dont break,
Professor Vladmir"
<Caroline> "You waged a war of attrition for four long years. You were
the greatest among us, heroes among heroes. We all fought, but the
Dynasty fought the most, the hardest, the best. Everyone remembers when
Rez put the New York arcology into Jovian orbit. And when the Geneticist
turned the jungles into armies. Jenny's destruction six miles of land in
southern Asia while the rest of us fell back."
<Rex_Mundi> "And then the Dynasty got a spaceship crashing down on
them?"
<JennyArtemis> "And they weren't prepared for that...?"
<Caroline> "Essentially. Rez brought them into Ireland for a surprise
attack to end the war, but there was a traitor among our ranks and they
KNEW where your doubles were going to land. They dropped their only
remaining ship on them."
<the_Architect> "Who was the traitor?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Did you capture him?"
<JennyArtemis> "Hmmm"
<ChenMuYi> Frost
* Skew spits, "Predictably, it was that Frost guy. And no, we never
found him."
<JennyArtemis> "That's really funny."
<ChenMuYi> Damn. Damn the man to hell
<Caroline> "You know him?"
<ChenMuYi> He brought us together
<the_Architect> "He gave us the destination coordinates for our
dimensional transition."
<JennyArtemis> "We do. In fact...there's a good possibility that you
know him too."
<ChenMuYi> Our Universes Frost. We assume he is from our Universe,
anyway
<the_Architect> "That would certainly explain the particular timing of
some of his more bizarre actions.
* Spectrum's fist glows, "That bastard! I knew he was up to something!"
<JennyArtemis> "It would explain why we've got an alien sod sitting on
our planet."
<ChenMuYi> We are here now. That is the issue at hand.
<ChenMuYi> May I suggest we stop ruminating and focus on our current
plan?
<Rex_Mundi> "Where shall we begin destruction?"
<the_Architect> "As I see it, we have three priorities at present.
First, neutralize the invasion fleet being mobilized for our home
Earth. Second, exterminate the Coalition to prevent any further
assaults. Third, return home and eviscerate Mister Frost."
<ChenMuYi> I like plan 3, but I agree on the order
<the_Architect> Afterwards, we can consider options for rebuilding your
world's infrastructure, Miss Fong.
<Skew> "Beat the shit out of him an extra time for me and the US, would
you?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Should we start with Manchester, then?"
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative
<the_Architect> "Please."
<JennyArtemis> "So, the plan remains...the same."
<Spectrum> "I'm game for just scouring the bastards off the earth with
steel wool."
<ChenMuYi> I estimate a 20 minute window remaining to take advatage of
the chaos from our first assault
<ChenMuYi> We must move quickly
<JennyArtemis> "Then let's hit the bastards, and hit them hard enough
that they don't wanna get up."
<JennyArtemis> "Professor, could you whip up another geological
disturbance for us?"
<Rex_Mundi> "That should be no problem."
<JennyArtemis> "Start working on it."
<the_Architect> "Where?"
<Rez> "So...we're goin back in?"
<JennyArtemis> "We are."
* Caroline nods, "Thank you, Jenny Artemis. You're all doing what we
can't. This time...succeed. God's speed."
<JennyArtemis> "Nicholas, what are your estimates for your surviving a
dive bomb attack from orbit?"
<Spectrum> "Done it before."
<Rex_Mundi> Are we going to Manchester? It would take four hours for it
to turn into another volcano. We should have sufficient time."
<JennyArtemis> "Can you whip up something a little quicker than that?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Not on so large a scale, no."
<JennyArtemis> "What could you manage, then?"
<ChenMuYi> May I suggest something a little less drastic?
<ChenMuYi> We should hit from several different points on the base
<ChenMuYi> This should sufficiently scramble the deffences for a larger
hit from Rex later
<Rex_Mundi> "I could smash the base to pieces with my bare hands..."
<ChenMuYi> Rex, please, this is going to require tact
<ChenMuYi> Corona, can you spare any reinforcements?
<Caroline> "I'm on the Council of Novas. We can't spare you many. If
you fail, we're the last line of the defense."
<ChenMuYi> Would it be possible to have dossiers of the available
agents?
<ChenMuYi> If we can attack several different points on the base, entry
into any one point would be unpredictable
<the_Architect> "I would suggest splitting into pairs, to enable us to
cover each other and still attack from multiple directions."
<ChenMuYi> The attacks we make should allow us to rendezvous at some
midway point in the main entrance route, prefereably at the rear
<ChenMuYi> This will allow us to smash any potential retaliation and
double forward to take the base down en masse
<Caroline> "If they'll go, I can send you Linda Raphael and Klaus
Kliesner."
<Caroline> "They're powerful, but nowhere near your level. And they're
about the only people we can spare because they're abilities aren't
suited for any utility work."
<ChenMuYi> I...know of these individuals
<JennyArtemis> "I'd suggest letting your people stay behind, Miss Fong."

<ChenMuYi> Detective Inspector, if these Novas are as apt as their
universal counterparts, they can help us tremendously
<ChenMuYi> It is your decsicion, but know where I stand
<Spectrum> "Lotus Infinte? You want to send LOTUS INFINTE in? That
putz?"
<Caroline> "She's a good fighter, Spectrum. And she wants it."
<the_Architect> "At this point, I would think anyone capable of wielding
your gamma weapons would be of tremendous help."
* Spectrum just sighs and mutters to himself.
* JennyArtemis smiles at Yi. "These people are refugees, Chen Mu Yi.
Asking them to fight a battle they already been fighting is criminal."
<Rex_Mundi> "Couldn't you just give one gamma gun to Yi?"
<ChenMuYi> I would like that device, but those Nova agents are very
competent
<Rex_Mundi> "We could make do without them."
<JennyArtemis> "Not gonna happen. But we can benefit from your intell of
manchester, Miss Fong."
<Rez> "Eh, I'm thinkin maybe we oughta spare em. Y'know, if we fail an
all."
<ChenMuYi> Very well, Detective inspector
<Caroline> "That we have a rather sketchy amount of. We've got some old
tapes of the ONE journalistic tour of the Ark, and it's very vague on
the precise details."
<the_Architect> "I believe that any visuals of the interior would be of
assistance to our Mister Strathmour."
<JennyArtemis> "Let's see it then."
<ChenMuYi> Now, about that Gamma Rifle...
<Caroline> "Follow me, then. Skew, Splash, Corona, get back to Sidney."

* The other three nod and head off.
* Rex_Mundi follows Caroline
* ChenMuYi falls in
* the_Architect follows.
* JennyArtemis follows.
* Caroline leads them to a large computer bank and begins typing away.
She is no longer on fire but is instead wearing a threadbare
conservative busienss suit.
* Finally the screen starts on an A&E documentary of the alien ship
* Essentially the documentary shows some inside bits of the alien ship,
obviously very carefully done so as to not reveal any real technical
schematics...then ends with an interview with an alien "diplomat"
and...Nicholas Frost.
* Note that, apparently, in the alternate universe Frost has white hair
and ice blue eyes.
<Rex_Mundi> "He is not quite like our Frost, is he?"
<Rez> "Eh! He's got frosty hair!'
<ChenMuYi> Not quite, no
<Spectrum> "I'm still going to kill him when we get home."
<JennyArtemis> "Jono, you got what you need?"
<Rez> "Yeah, sheila. The Arch or the bridge, I'd say."
<ChenMuYi> Youll have to beat me to it, Spectrum
<the_Architect> "Miss Fong, do you have any data on what puropse the
Arch serves?"
<Caroline> "The Arch? It was a gift from Aeon to the aliens. The Latin
reads something about the new Hope for the world, the sacarafices that
need to be made, and the unity it will bring."
<the_Architect> "A fitting place to strike then."
<ChenMuYi> Oh, me stiments exactly. Shall we?
<the_Architect> "I can see no reason not to."
<Rex_Mundi> "Let us be off, then?"
<Rex_Mundi> "See you later, Miss Fong."
<Spectrum> "It's Christmas at Ground Zero."
* Caroline nods and stands, offers her hand. "It was an honor to meet
you again. I look forward to a new world."
<ChenMuYi> Ho ho ho
* Rex_Mundi shakes Caroline's hand, then walks up to Rez
<the_Architect> "Certainly, Miss Fong. I hope we have the opportunity
to speak again."
* Spectrum and Rez shake her hand and get ready to go.
* ChenMuYi bows deeply, hands pressed to his sides
* the_Architect shakes Caroline's hand and pauses for a moment,
considering something unspoken.
* Caroline bows to Yi as well, stiffly and formally
* JennyArtemis inclines her head towards Fong.
<Rez> "We ready to go?"
<JennyArtemis> "Just about."
<ChenMuYi> Give the word
<JennyArtemis> "We'll go with Yi's idea to split up into groups.
<Rex_Mundi> "I would say so."
<Rez> "Alright, where'm I puttin people?"
<ChenMuYi> Very well, Detective Inspector
<JennyArtemis> Professor, I trust you have means of transport?
<the_Architect> "Only Spectrum and I are capable of self-propelled
flight, correct?"
<Rex_Mundi> "I can move through the Earth, if required, ues."
<ChenMuYi> I have no alternative means of transport
<Rex_Mundi> "Or above, if that is the requirement."
<JennyArtemis> "Spectrum, you and Rez will be 'floats.' You'll be moving
about, doing damage on your own, or providing a hand to the others.
<JennyArtemis> The rest of us will pair off and cause trouble."
<the_Architect> "Those pairs being?"
<JennyArtemis> "Yi, you and Keiko, becuase I think I can survive a ride
with Rex better. Got that?"
<ChenMuYi> What are to be the pairs,Detective Inspector?
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative
<JennyArtemis> "Plus, Yi, I want your eyes in the sky if possible,
analyzing weaknesses."
<Rex_Mundi> "As you wish, miss Artemis."
<Rez> "So just 'port around an do some liquid laugh on em, sheila?"
<ChenMuYi> Which party is to actually penetrate the compund, and where
and when do we rendezous?
<JennyArtemis> "Rez, I want you to be using your warp powers to their
most destructive capability.
<JennyArtemis> "But don't over do it. I want either you or Spectrum to
be able to pull us out at a moment's notice."
<Spectrum> "Do you want me to drop-kick the place from orbit?"
<JennyArtemis> "Something like that."
* Spectrum, "Cool."
<Rez> "A'right, sheila. No worries."
<JennyArtemis> "Yi, I want you and Keiko at the bridge. Rex and I will
take the Arch."
<ChenMuYi> We was an estimated 10 minutes before the shock of our first
attack wears off
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative
<the_Architect> "Certainly.
<Rex_Mundi> "Then let us move."
<JennyArtemis> Rez, you'll be porting both teams in, and then you and
Nicholas will be doing your best to turn the rest of the place into
swiss cheese."
<JennyArtemis> "Is everybody down for a jack-move, darlings?"
<Spectrum> "I'll need to be ported in as well, Jenny. Even at top
speed, it'll take me at least an hour to get to England."
<ChenMuYi> Lock and Load
<JennyArtemis> "we can do it in increments, or everybody at once, I
should think..."
<JennyArtemis> "Is that doable, Rez?"
<Rez> "Warp's be easier. I can open a few at a time."
<JennyArtemis> "Magic! Let's do it."
<ChenMuYi> I am prepared
* Rez holds up his hands and furrows his brow. Slowly, three portals
grow out of the air, shimmering outlines in space. One opens onto an
alien command bridge, full of sasquatch technicians. The second faces
the Arch. The third opens about a hundred feet above the train station
in Manchester
* ChenMuYi leaps through the first portal
* the_Architect readies her masers and follows Yi.
* Spectrum rockets through the portal above the trainstation. Two gates
close.
* Rex_Mundi runs through the second portal and looks around
* JennyArtemis activates a shield of shimmering wet air around her body
like a sheath and follow the big russian through.

On the bridge...

* ChenMuYi and the Architect step onto the bridge of the alien ship,
startling the sasquatch technians. There is a moment of silence as both
sides realize what the fuck just happened. Then all hell breaks loose
* The aliens start yelping and, as a wave, begin moving away from the
two Novas.
* the_Architect begins blasting the technicians with her masers, mowing
them down as they flee.
* Rows of technians drop into microwaved piles as the Architect opens up
with her masers.
* ChenMuYi hurls a phos[hurus grenade into a crowd of cowering aliens
* One of the sasqs picks it up as he runs past...then loses his arm as
it goes off, burning him through like a red-hot acid.
* ChenMuYi front flips into the hairy apes, kicking and punching in a
devastating blitzkrieg that knows no equal
* the_Architect shifts her aim to avoid Yi's location.
* The aliens attempt to flee, but Chen Mu Yi is a blurring wind of death
upon them. For every one that gets away, ten of his fellows fall before
the Nova's killing fists. And for everyone ten that escape Yi, only a
single one remains as the Architect mows them down with blasts of
microwave energy.
* ChenMuYi grabs one of the fleeing aliens, ripping its arms off
abruptly. He then proceeds to beat fleeing aliens with the severed arms
* Within three minutes of entering the bridge is full of the stink of
alien flesh and blood, and all the opponents are dead.
<the_Architect> "Mister Yi, would you be offended if I changed into
something more suitable for combat conditions?
<ChenMuYi> Do so, but make it quick
* the_Architect nonchalantly removes her kimono, revealing that she is
wearing nothing beneath it. Her mechanical body devoid of any of the
features normally worth being modest about, she hands the kimono to Yi
and disperses her nanites into a human-shaped cloud of freeflying
microrobotics. 1 "Much better, thank you."
* ChenMuYi folds the kimono tightly and places the garment in the back
pocket of his trenchcoat
<the_Architect> "Let me see what I can find in their computers. Please
prevent any further visitors."
<ChenMuYi> With pleasure
* ChenMuYi whips out his twin DE's, making ready for combat
* The hallways are eerily quiet
* the_Architect floats over to the most complex computer terminal
available, and sticks her hands into the open surfaces, ripples of code
flashing across her body as she hacks into the alien computers.
* ChenMuYi walks down the hallways, looking for trouble
<the_Architect> "Keiko to all points. Enemy Queen located. Center of
the ship. Temple Complex."
<ChenMuYi> Artemis From Yi, please advise
<ChenMuYi> Architect, can you maintain a sensor sweep of the area as we
proceed?
<the_Architect> "I am monitoring all available systems. I suggest we
also sabotage the fusion reactors at the ship's stern."
<ChenMuYi> Well, no time like the present
<ChenMuYi> How long will it take to familiarize yourself with the
systems?
<ChenMuYi> Wait
<ChenMuYi> I have a better idea
<the_Architect> Tell me.
<ChenMuYi> We should destroy this bridge. Create as little access to
this place as possible while we work
<the_Architect> "I can do that from here. Then we should follow Jenny's
directions and make our way to the Temple."
<ChenMuYi> Make it happen
* A HUGE explosion is heard from the back of the ship that rocks the
vessel to it's very foundations as Nicholas Carpenter shoots through the
rear of the ship at terminal velocity.
<the_Architect> "That should be helpful."
<ChenMuYi> Spectrum, no doubt
* The lights dim for a few moments, and then go back to full power as
the emergency power kicks back on
* the_Architect screams as her entire body flashes with energy and
computer terminals explode all across the bridge.
* ChenMuYi begins to smash every control panel he can in rapid
succession
<ChenMuYi> Well then, that takes care of the bridge
<ChenMuYi> To the temple, then?
<ChenMuYi> Lead the way
<the_Architect> "Architect to all points. Bridge contols are
destroyed. Cryobarracks activating all over the ship. Recommend
immediate convergence in the Temple.
* the_Architect begins flying down the corridor and to the Temple.
<ChenMuYi> I dont know the way Architect. Will you lead the way?
<the_Architect> "Follow me."
* ChenMuYi takes off after her
<the_Architect> "Defense forces converging on both of our locations."

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the ship...

* JennyArtemis draws her service pistol
* Jenny and Rex step out of the portal in a huge room. Along the walls
are various pictures and artifacts of alien and human civilizations. It
apperas to be a trophy room...a trophy room of genocide.
* JennyArtemis scans around the chamber with narrowed eyes, her gun
following.
<Rex_Mundi> "And they thought the aliens were peaceful why?"
* Rex_Mundi checks the room for hostiles
<Rex_Mundi> "The room appears to be empty."
<Rex_Mundi> "So, miss Artemis, what do we do now? Cause a noise?"
<JennyArtemis> "Hmm. Now, we call up those sods from 'Changing Rooms'
and redecorate the bloody place while they're away..."
<JennyArtemis> "In other words, tear the roof off the mother."
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Jenny. I'm going to reach geo-syncronous orbit
in five minutes."
* Rex_Mundi blinks
<Rex_Mundi> "aaaah."
<JennyArtemis> "Jenny to Spectrum, good. Let us know if you need
anything."
<JennyArtemis> "jenny to Rez. Status report?"
<Spectrum> "Nah, I should be fine. They had some fighter craft try and
tail me, but once I hit Mach 3 they fell behind."
<Rez> "Thanks fer the notice, sheila! I just warped a couple've ships
t'Venus, an now I'm just 'portin around t'distract em!"
* Rex_Mundi goes over to a wall and tears off a huge chunk
<JennyArtemis> "Jenny to Architect. Status?"
* Rex_Mundi proceeds with levelling the floor
* Circuitry arcs and sputters and the lights in the room dim as Rex
brings his massive fists to bear on the puny floor.
* JennyArtemis warps the wall supports and the ceiling begins to sag
dangerously.
* Rex_Mundi proceeds to punch out whatever structures support the roof
<the_Architect> "Keiko to all points. Enemy Queen located. Center of
the ship. Temple Complex."
<Rex_Mundi> "Maybe we shall go there."
<ChenMuYi> Artemis from Yi, please Advise
* Rex_Mundi pullsthe stained glass arch out of its moorings and throws
it into a nearby wall, shattering it into a million tiny pieces
* The roof sags dangerously under Jenny's powers and begins to buckle
under the weight of the deck above it.
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, Yi, head in that direction and give us a guide
from our location."
<ChenMuYi> Artemis from Yi, affirmative command
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Jenny. I'm sending this from the vaccume of
space. I'm currently holding orbit above Manchester. Advise."
<JennyArtemis> "Drop the hammer. Take out as much as you can when you
hit."
* Rex_Mundi starts ripping a wall apart with his bare hands
<Spectrum> "Any particular targets in mind?"
<JennyArtemis> See if you can punch a nice hole through the rear of the
ship...?"
* The huge doors at one end of the Arch-room start to open, slowly, with
a great clanging and scraping sound.
<Rex_Mundi> "Sure."
* Rex_Mundi is just about to go over there, when he notes the door
opening
* JennyArtemis turns with her pistol ready.
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Jenny. I'm heading in now. Gimme a minute."
* Rex_Mundi quickly changes course, charging the door
* JennyArtemis hit's the left-most wall with her shoulder as partial
cover.
* Rex barrels through the door and right into a hoard of monsters that
look like a praying mantis crossbread with an armidillo.
* Rex_Mundi , not one patient nor polite enough to wait getting stormed,
pulls one of the large doors off its hinges and prepares to use it as a
weapon against whatever is behind it
<Rex_Mundi> "What ugly..."
* A HUGE explosion is heard from the back of the ship that rocks the
vessel to it's very foundations as Nicholas Carpenter shoots through the
rear of the ship at terminal velocity.
* Rex_Mundi proceeds to shove the door through the closest ugly monsters

* The lights dim for a few moments, and then go back to full power as
the emergency power kicks back on
* Rex pounds one of the monsters with the door, ripping through it with
tremendous ferocity.
* The monsters scrape at Rex with their great claws, but the blades
skitter off his stone-like skin with nary a scratch
* Jenny's bullet takes one of the creatures in the head and blows it's
insectoid brains out
<the_Architect> "Architect to all points. Bridge contols are
destroyed. Cryobarracks activating all over the ship. Recommend
immediate convergence in the Temple."
<JennyArtemis> "Oh, we'll be there in a bit..."
* Rex_Mundi swings the door around, crushing insectoids left and right
* JennyArtemis spreads her hands and the air fumes and fogs into a green
murk, and begins burning and melting the bug-creatures.
* Rex_Mundi smashes what few survivors are left, and crushes a few
underfoot
<JennyArtemis> Their armor begins to corrode and deep pits burn into the
hides as they stagger about and finally fall.
<Rex_Mundi> "Shall we go, Miss Artemis?"
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Jenny. That hurt like a bitch, bosslady. I
think I'm actually bruised."
<Spectrum> "Orders?"
* JennyArtemis nods, allowing her shield to sweep the fuming acid away
from her. "let's move."
* Finally, in broken, melted heaps, the creatures fall to the ground,
some still twitching as they die
* Rex_Mundi puts the door as a small road over the corpses in front of
Jenny
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, can you guide us from where you are?"
<Rez> "Rez to Jenny. What's the situation, sheila?"
<ChenMuYi> All points from Yi, Arhitect and I are en route to the
temple. Whats your ETA?
<the_Architect> "Your current location, Detective Inspector?"
<JennyArtemis> The Arch"
* the_Architect relays the most direct route from the Arch to the
Temple. "Defense forces converging on both of our locations."
<Rez> "Rez to All. Want me t'come and pick you up?"
<the_Architect> "Please."
<Rex_Mundi> "That would be good, I think. Miss?"
* Rex_Mundi looks at Jenny for confirmation
* Rex_Mundi takes a quick swig from his flask
<JennyArtemis> "Let's go, Rez."
* Rez flickers in beside Jenny and Rex, grabs them, then flickers beside
Yi and the Architect.
* Rez picks up Spectrum along the way so that the group stands together.
"I need a pic've this temple, sheila."
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko? Can you provide a visual?"
* the_Architect projects a structural schematic of the alien ship,
zooming rapidly in on the centralmost chamber. "Adequate?"
<Rez> "Ace!"
* With a shimmer, the group appears before the front of the Sanctuary
chamber. Beyond those doors...beyond those doors lies destiny. It is
time for the Dynasty to stand up and make the world's.

Next Issue: "Manifest Destiny!"