The Dynasty: A Macabre Nativity, Issue 9 "Taking Out The Trash"
- by Bard

When We Last Left Our Heroes: Having just defeated the evil of the Coalition Queen, the Dynasty discovered that the part of the space Ark they were in was actually the Queen's private shit. Nicknamed "The Yacht" by the team, this half mile wide flying saucer shot out of the Ark, allowing the Dynasty to destroy the city-ship with the Yacht's partical beam weaponry. Now heading towards Australia, the Dynasty discovers that they have a rather unlucky passenger aboard. A face from
the past.

<the_Architect> "So my friends, what shall we do with our captive
traitor?"
<ChenMuYi> I have two guns full of options
<JennyArtemis> "Don't wake the bugger..."
<the_Architect> "I will of course keep him in stasis until we reach our
decision."
* JennyArtemis turns to Keiko: "Keiko, I'd like to have a word. In
private, luv..."
<Rex_Mundi> "I think the people of this world should decide. I hope it
is quite painful."
* Rez looks up from examining a plant, "Eh, maybe we oughtta just give
em to the Aussies, eh? I mean, everyone over there's looking for 'im."
<ChenMuYi> That would be my suggestion.
<the_Architect> "Certainly Detective Inspector. Just allow me to fix
the controls on our course and establish an alarm relay in case things
should become complicated."
* the_Architect blinks for a moment, then walks over to Jenny, leaving a
severed hand with a transmitter relay blinking securely in the access
port.
* Spectrum comes over the radio relay
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Dynasty. I'm in Australia now, and the natives
are damn happy about what just happened. I think we just became
international heroes, boys and girls. They promise not to shoot you as
you come in."
* JennyArtemis gestures and the air surrounding Keiko and Jenny turns
thick and viscous, like a cylinder of water standing on its own. No
sound escapes from this barrier...
<ChenMuYi> Thats always promising
<Rex_Mundi> "Maybe we should have landed outside just, yes?"
<ChenMuYi> We need to regroup in Australia and assess the coming storm
with the natives.
<ChenMuYi> They may know of some other hotpoints we could hit.
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Yi, agreed on that one. What's the word from
the dragonlady?"
<ChenMuYi> "Yi to Spectrum, not a sound. She and Keiko are in the middle
of something she doesnt want the rest of us to hear"
<Rez> "Eh, think we might get t'doin somethin? They're just sittin
there talkin like a couple've dingos on a parade."
<Rex_Mundi> "To pilot alien spaceships is not my greatest talent"
* ChenMuYi walks towards the two otherwise engaged Novas and stares them
in the eyes from behind the modified air, trying to get their attention
* Rex_Mundi stands in a corner, absolutely silent, occasionally
subconsciously touching his wound where he can...
<Rex_Mundi> "They sure are taking their time, yes?"
* ChenMuYi spins on his heels and goes to wait near Rex
<Rez> "Eh, so cards anyone?"
<ChenMuYi> Ever thought of taking up martial arts? You could really do a
lot of damage
<JennyArtemis> The cylinder of heavy air spirals down into nothingness,
revealing a silent Jenny and Keiko.
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Dynasty, would someone please tell the ladies to
stop nattering and get out here? THe natives are getting restless."
<JennyArtemis> "Keep yer bloody knickers on..."
<ChenMuYi> Decided to join us? Let me introduce you: Jenny, this is the
REST of the Dynasty....
<Rex_Mundi> "I have not considered that. Things seem to break if I want
them to, despite my lack of training in orderly fighting."
* JennyArtemis pats Yi on the shoulder and chuckles in surprise. "Was
that...a joke?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Ah, you are back."
<Rez> "Eh, Yi? Who's this sheila here? Never seen before in me life."
* the_Architect walks back to the access port and collects her severed
hand.
<JennyArtemis> "And here I was starting to think you were all sixes and
sevens, luv..."
<ChenMuYi> Joke? No, I dont joke. Spectrum and I recomend a rendevous in
Australia.
<ChenMuYi> The natives have been informed of our voctory. They may know
of some other concentrations of Coalition forces.
<JennyArtemis> "Bloody-well thought that's where we were headed..."
<JennyArtemis> "Well, fine then. Let's go and have us a chat, shall we?"

<ChenMuYi> Hh. "Spectrum from Yi; We are headed to Australia."
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Dynasty, they're calmed, folks. Awaiting your
arrival. They've got beer and they've got food."
<Rex_Mundi> "Will we go?"
<the_Architect> "Reaching the Australian wall in 9 minutes 56 seconds 34
nanoseconds.
<ChenMuYi> Keiko, do you have any other information about this world's
terrain? Other places the Coalition could be massing forces?
<the_Architect> "Primary emplacements are in the agricultural zones,
with mineral resource collection being secondary. Coastal areas and
large forests are most populous."
<Rex_Mundi> "Is everything working correctly with the systems keeping
Mr. Frost in stasis? I would not like anything bad happening to him."
<the_Architect> "Do not fear; I am monitoring his stasis chamber quite
closely."
<Rex_Mundi> "Good, he will be healthy enough to be gutted, then?"
<ChenMuYi> I could moniter him personally if you like :)
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Dynasty. Mind if I tell the nice natives who
our special guest is today?"
<ChenMuYi> No complaints here Spectrum. Artemis?
<JennyArtemis> "Go for it."
<Rex_Mundi> "Fine with me."
* Australia looms up in front of the ship, the huge two mile high rock
wall a great black mass on the horizon. It is dawn, and the sun
glitters just over the top.
* The Yacht zooms over the wall towards the glistening lights atop Uluru

* the_Architect broadcasts on an open frequency, 1 "This is Keiko
Nagashima of the Dynasty, requesting permission to land."
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Dynasty. You've got clearence, folks. Land
atop the rock, they're really not sure where else to put you."
<the_Architect> "Confirmed."
* the_Architect maneuvers the Yacht over Ayer's Rock, bringing it down
into a gentle hover fifteen feet from the top surface.
<ChenMuYi> Rex, why dont you take the floor this time
<Rex_Mundi> "Me?"
<ChenMuYi> Give it a try. You'll like it
<Rez> "Him?"
* Rex_Mundi looks around at the others
<Rez> "No offense, mate, I know you're a prof an all...I just don't see
you as the speech type."
* JennyArtemis lights a cigarett for him and offers it in support.
<Rex_Mundi> "Thank you, but I don't smoke. Very well then."
<Rex_Mundi> "I will do it."
<Rex_Mundi> "Unless someone else feels like they should"
<JennyArtemis> "Way to be decisive, professor..."
* Rex_Mundi just shakes his head
<Rex_Mundi> "It has been... Ten years, after all."
* In front of the ship stands a crowd of several hundred, including most
of the remaining human Novas. There are more on the ground, and several
scrounged videocameras watch the ship intently.
<the_Architect> "Holographic projection begins in ten seconds, Detective
Inspector."
<the_Architect> "Five, four, three, two, go."
* A hologram of Jenny, some 30 feet high, appears in front of the ship.
<JennyArtemis> As the crowd mulls about in murmured confusion and
anticipation, a flickering image of jenny Artemis appears before the
vessel, towering several stories high. Reflected in the massive
hologram, Jenny lights a cigarette and provides the audience with her
customary smirk.
<JennyArtemis> "You're all wondering what's been going on. From the very
beginning of this nightmare. To this moment. Wondering when the other
shoe is going to drop. Well, as of now, that's no longer an issue. We
are the Dynasty. A different Dynasty than the one you know, but we're
still doing what the Dynasty has always done for you. Making the
monsters disappear. The Queen of the alien bastards is dead. Her ship is
sculpture."
<JennyArtemis> "You now face the task of retaking your land."
<JennyArtemis> "This is a task that we can help you with. But perhaps it
would be best if we left the task of rebuilding to those who live here."

<JennyArtemis> There still remain pockets of aliens influence out there.
Mostly in the forested areas. We have the tools to provide you with
assistance, if you like. But you now can stand and deliver on your own.
And that's the way...we think...that you Dynasty would have wanted it."
<JennyArtemis> "You should also be advised that we have recovered a
prisoner. A man you knew as Frost. We are prepared to turn him over to a
proper authority."
* JennyArtemis pauses to stare out at the assembled faces, embittered by
struggle and pain.
<JennyArtemis> "Don't think you're in this alone. You are never alone.
Dynasty to all points...out."
* the_Architect cuts the holographic broadcast to the exterior crowd. 1
"Clear."
* The crowd looks around for a minute. Then one man puts his fist up
and cheers. He is slowly joined and within a few moments the entire
assembly is cheering.
* JennyArtemis turns to keiko and draws a finger across her throat.
<the_Architect> "You did well, Detective Inspector."
<Rez> "Here here. Good job, sheila!"
<Rex_Mundi> "A moving speech."
<ChenMuYi> *cough*
<JennyArtemis> "Er...right, then."
<the_Architect> "Would anyone like to suggest what we do next?"
<Rez> "How about we get rid've this flamin wall?"
<JennyArtemis> "Well, I'd like to put an issue before you all."
<ChenMuYi> What's that?
<Rex_Mundi> "After the aliens are dealt with, perhaps?"
* JennyArtemis glances at Rex. That's gonna be a long term op,
Professor."
<Rex_Mundi> "Not necessarily, but it would require we evacuate the
entire living populace. Nothing I would recommend."
<JennyArtemis> "Shall we say...without further damage to the ecosystem,
it will be a long term op..."
<the_Architect> "Concurred."
<Rex_Mundi> "I would agree."
<ChenMuYi> I wouldnt object to it
<the_Architect> "I would also like to secure this planet as soon as
possible. The opportunities for privacy in my research alone are worth
my effort."
* JennyArtemis glances curiously at Keiko, but lets her thoughts pass
unspoken.
<Rez> "Eh, Keiko, this rig got any tucker? I'm hungry as a 'roo on the
run."
* JennyArtemis briefly considers how a "roo" would actually run...
* Rex_Mundi blinks at the expression
<Rex_Mundi> "What?"
* the_Architect brings up a holographic representation of the Yacht's
interior decks and several locations are highlighted. 1 "There are
sustenance dispensers at the locations marked in red, biped-friendly
toilets in blue, and sleeping chambers in green. Some adaptations may be
necessary for your comfort."
<JennyArtemis> "How do we program the sodding thing to produce
human-friendly food?"
<the_Architect> "Do you like chocolate pudding?"
<JennyArtemis> "Er...I'm more for a bit of meat, luv..."
<the_Architect> "I can program a reasonable fascimile if you give me two
minutes.
<ChenMuYi> If you could manage rice, I would be grateful
<the_Architect> "I would not recommend the carnivorous fare the system
is preconfigured to, and I'm afraid I was a vegetarian when I was
human. Rice I can manage."
<Rex_Mundi> "Something grown for months in the healthy soil of the
planet, nurtured carefully and patiently with nature's aide... But I am
guessing steak would do."
<Rex_Mundi> "Very well, false vegetable it is."
<Rez> "I could use a 'roo or emu steak bout now. Maybe a bunch've
kiwis...the veggies, not the birds."
<the_Architect> "I will tinker with the menu to the best of my ability.
In the meantime, if anyone would like to make use of the other
facilities, feel free. This may take some time."
<Rex_Mundi> "Are there any medical facilities of any kind?"
* Rex_Mundi indicates the wound on his back
<JennyArtemis> "Whatever, as long as it goes down like person-food. I
don't want to try to determine if the aliens ever managed a working
facsimile of a hamburger..."
<ChenMuYi> I wouldnt trust it.
<ChenMuYi> Or anything, for that matter...
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Dynasty. Can you open the hatch and let me back
in? Incidentally, the natives are offering food and beer for whoever
wants it."
<JennyArtemis> "I'm first!"
* the_Architect opens the main hatch for Spectrum. 1 "Acknowledged."
* JennyArtemis leaps for the doorway!
<Rex_Mundi> "That sounds more tempting than the artificial variant."
<JennyArtemis> "Hey Rez, what's Australian for 'pint'?"
<the_Architect> "With the other needs thus provided for us, Professor
Vladimir, I will gladly see to your wound using the least damaging tools
available in the medbay. Please follow me."
<Rez> "Ask the mates outside for a coldie. "
<ChenMuYi> I think Ill o with Jenny and the others.
<ChenMuYi> I am rather famished.
<Rex_Mundi> "Thank you, Miss Nagashima"
* Rex_Mundi follows The Architect
* Rez opens a portal to the outside
<JennyArtemis> "heh...everyone remember where we parked..."
<Rez> "'Ey, lets go get that tucker!"
* Rez walks through into a crowd of people, giving high fives and
handshakes and generally accepting much adulation as they head towards a
huge set of tables piled with food and kegs of homebrewed beer.
* ChenMuYi walks through the portal, but keeps one hand in his pocket,
but interacts with noone as he proceeds
* JennyArtemis follows behind, smiling and nodding politely, making an
uncompromising beeline to the smeel of food.
* What commences is an enormous victory celebration that lasts long into
the morning beneath the dawning sun. Food is eaten, beer drank, songs
sung, and stories told. Music is played and atop Aeyers Rock humanity
celebrates its victory. The alternate Novas spend a time planning with
any Dynasty members who wish to work with them on the best ways to
defeat the remains of the Coalition.
* There are a few breaks during the day, but it is well after dusk that
night when the party begins to wind down, especially for the Novas.
* ChenMuYi spends most of the day avoiding drunken twits and dodging
projectile vomit
* ChenMuYi hauls the stasis of the alternate Frost outside after much of
the merriment has died down
* Yi, along with Spectrum, are approached by a trio of Novas: Klaus
Kleisner, Joseph Simms, and Linda Raphael.
* Rez dissapears off somewhere with Corona. He's grinning quite a bit
as he heads off.
<ChenMuYi> "Yi narrows his eyes behind his mask"; Kleisner
* The Elites ask if Yi and Spectrum would mind some company. Spectrum
agrees and looks to Yi. If the other agrees, they pass around the beer
and generally just talk about how things are going now and their hopes
for the future. They seem hard bitten, tired, and worn...but still
amazingly human. Even Kleisner, the Death Dancer himself, seems much
more humane than on Earth...like the rigors of the war have caused him
to become more human.
<ChenMuYi> I suppose I could indulge this once
* The Novas pass the beer around and such. Over elsewhere, Jenny and
several others party.

*Meanwhile, on the Yacht...
* the_Architect begins speaking in Russian.
<the_Architect> "You have a shallow monomolecular laceration. The blood
is clotting, but you have rather significant tissue damage. I believe I
can seal it with a focused microwave beam without causing you any
lasting harm."
<Rex_Mundi> "That would be good."
<the_Architect> "Initiating."
* the_Architect cleans Professor Vladimir's wound and bandages it more
securely than necessary, making
him look like quite the hero.
<Rex_Mundi> "Miss Nagashima, how did you get your powers?"
<the_Architect> "I built them, Professor Vladimir."
<the_Architect> "I had been doing research in telepresence
nanotechnology at the time my cancer was
discovered, and it seemed the logical solution."
<Rex_Mundi> "Fascinating. And? Did it cure you?"
<the_Architect> "Removing the dependence on hydrocarbon structures
neutralized the threat of my cancer, yes."
<Rex_Mundi> "... You are saying you no longer possess any organic
structures."
<the_Architect> "I did unfortunately leave a corpse behind when I took
this body out for it's first field test, which was rather disconcerting
to my... associate."
<Rex_Mundi> "I can imagine that"
<the_Architect> "Our relationship has been rather strained ever since,
but we are still able to function in a
business environment."
<the_Architect> "The party is commencing outside, shall we continue this
as we walk?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Very well."
* the_Architect leads the way to the exit hatch.
* Rex_Mundi follows right behind Keiko
<Rex_Mundi> "You said you would like this planet cleansed of aliens..."
<the_Architect> "Absolutely. I intend to establish my own research
complex on this world, using
dimensional transition technologies I will hopefully be able to reverse
engineer from the Yacht's database
to provide myself with transportation to and from this reality."
<the_Architect> "I can not very well do that while the Coalition forces
are still present, for fear of them
stealing my equipment while I am on our home Earth."
<Rex_Mundi> "I have nothing against the idea in itself, but... Do you
ever feel any kind of... affinity? for
your machines?"
<the_Architect> "What do you mean by affinity?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Do you feel pain, if something you are interfacing with
gets in any way injured or is in
some way broken?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Do you possess any form of... empathic bond to your
machinery or parts of your body?"
<the_Architect> "Not pain as such. They are tools under my direct
control, and I am sensitive to their
condition, but it is not incapacitating the same way it is for humans."
<the_Architect> "That is among the biological aspects I left behind with
my old body."
<Rex_Mundi> "I... See..."
<the_Architect> "Does this disturb you?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Honestly? Yes."
<the_Architect> "How so?"
<Rex_Mundi> "But I can understand the reasoning behind it..."
<Rex_Mundi> "It distrubs me because I cannot fathom it. It seems like
such a cold, scientific
calculation, less like an idea from a human being."
<the_Architect> "In many ways, I have sacrificed much of my humanity to
become that which I now am. But the alternative was a painful
metastisizing death. Given the same choice, I would take the same
path."
<Rex_Mundi> "That, I can understand."
<Rex_Mundi> "I asked my original question because, well, my powers came
at a prize... The lord can
not ignore demands of his suffering people."
<the_Architect> "Professor Vladimir, would you prefer to jump to the
ground, or ride the standard
deployment system down?
<Rex_Mundi> "No need to disturb the others, I will take the standard
deployment system."
* the_Architect bows, "Your carraige awaits, Professor."
<Rex_Mundi> "Thank you."
* Rex_Mundi bows back to Keiko

* the_Architect and Rex_Mundi arrive at the open hatchway, and she
extends an antigravity clearance beam to carry him gently to the ground.

<the_Architect> "Of course not Professor Vladimir, and while I
understand the sympathetic nature of your geological awareness, I am
afraid that my capabilities are more external in nature."
<Rex_Mundi> <<"However, you can see why I would wish this world
restored? It is a blight upon my soul.">>
* the_Architect and Rex Mundi have been speaking in Russian.
* Rex_Mundi looks around for some vodka
<JennyArtemis> "Professor!" Jenny calls out, waving to him from the
midst of a bunch of novas.
<Rex_Mundi> "Hello everyone! How have you been?"
* Rex_Mundi turns towards Jenny
<Rex_Mundi> "Madam Artemis!"
<the_Architect> <<"Then I surmise it would be advantageous for you to
assist in the reconstitution of this planet's biosphere. I am certainly
willing to join you in that endeavor.">>
*the_Architect switches back to English.
<Rex_Mundi> "Thank you."
* JennyArtemis waggles a half empty bottle of vodka above her head for
Rex.
* the_Architect walks over to Jenny. 1 "How goes the party, Detective
Inspector?"
* Rex_Mundi starts moving through the crowd like a whale through fish
herds, coming up to Jenny
* Spectrum rises and heads over to the other Dynasts. Rez reappears
around the same time, looking slightly ruffled and grinning hugley.
<Rex_Mundi> "You saved some vodka for me!"
<Spectrum> "Hey bosslady, got any plans for when we're heading back? Or
at least smashing some more alien ass? War stories are all well and
good, but i can't help thinking we're celebrating a bit early."
* Rex_Mundi grabs the bottle and empties it in one swig
<JennyArtemis> "Er...did I?" jenny looks at the bottle and back at
Rex...and back at the bottle..."Well, here..."
* ChenMuYi walks up behind Jenny, as if out of nowhere
<ChenMuYi> I agree with Spectrum
<the_Architect> "I would also like to ensure sanitation of the local
threat, although I suspect my reasons are slightly less altruistic."
<JennyArtemis> "Me too! What about?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Of course I wish to end the alien presence."
<ChenMuYi> Any remaining Coalition forces threatens this world, as well
as ours
<the_Architect> "I could also work to extrapolate their course to Earth,
so that we could attempt to intercept the Ark in our reality, but that
is admittedly a long-term concern."
<JennyArtemis> "I have no problem with helping these people exterminate
the last of these buggers, but are you folks willing to put in the long
term effort that will be needed?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Without a doubt."
<ChenMuYi> Definitely
<Rez> "Sheila...I'm lookin here an I'm seein people who need help. An
I'm thinkin that maybe we otta help em. This' a chance t'make a
difference without Utopia sayin no, save the world. Like in the funny
books."
<the_Architect> "I would like to briefly check in with my business
concerns back home, but I have no argument with securing this planet
against any hostile forces."
<Rex_Mundi> "Of course, there is the matter of our affair with Mr
Frost..."
<the_Architect> "Our Frost, or theirs?"
<JennyArtemis> "Professor, that brings up another point."
<Rex_Mundi> "Our. We have completed our job, and we should get paid. I
would prefer him not forgetting about us."
<Rex_Mundi> "What point, Madam Artemis?"
<JennyArtemis> When we return to Earth...and we WILL be returning soon,
what shall we do with Forst and his organization?"
<JennyArtemis> "What shall we let them know?"
<JennyArtemis> "This vessel is an asset that they should not have."
<Spectrum> "Tell them we fragged this Earth and everything on it. Kick
the ship into orbit."
<JennyArtemis> "As long as I draw breath, they won't"
<Rex_Mundi> "We never agreed to giving them any alien artifacts, did
we?"
<ChenMuYi> Not that I recall"
<JennyArtemis> "Oh, I'm sure they'd consider this an exception."
<Rex_Mundi> "We stopped the invasions, we are heroes. Now we get loads
of cash."
<the_Architect> "I would recommend keeping the Yacht here for the time
being. It would also be wise to allow me to examine and then destroy
our communications devices, in case they are rigged with surveillance
hardware.
<JennyArte> "Dodgey organizations tend to do that."
<the_Architect> "I can certainly replace the communicators easily
enough."
<JennyArtemis> "Good Frost or bad Frost, he's definitely a bad sort."
<JennyArtemis> "I wouldn't put such past him."
<the_Architect> "Then if everyone will give me their communicators?"
<Spectrum> "You know who Frost reminds me of?"
<Spectrum> "An evil J. Edgar Hoover."
<Rex_Mundi> "I guess I can agree with this much. Basic precautions."
<JennyArtemis> "Hoover WASN'T evil?"
<Spectrum> "Nah. Guy turned the FBI into the organization it is today.
Can't really blame him for being a nancy and all. That kind of stress
would crack anyone."
<Rex_Mundi> "Right, like Stalin was not evil."
<JennyArtemis> "Well, I hope none of you are blind to the fact that even
the technologies alone on that ship would have the nations and
mega-corporations of our world ready to kiill just for a moment's look."

<the_Architect> "I understand the need for discretion."
* Rex_Mundi grins at Spectrum
* JennyArtemis thinks to herself, <<tell that to Dr. King...>>
<Spectrum> "Ok, but here's the question: could those nations and
mega-corps actually get to it? I mean, as far as I know we're some of
the most powerful Novas on Earth."
<JennyArtemis> "Always someone out there with a bigger gun, luv."
<Rex_Mundi> "Best not to speak of it without very good reason"
<JennyArtemis> Yeah, sure, I hand over my communicator.
* the_Architect collects the communcators issued by Frost and begins
working to dismantle them.
<ChenMuYi> Enough of this. We should enquire of these Novas the
locations of the highest concentration of Coalition soldiers
<JennyArtemis> "Jesus...Okay go on..."
<Rex_Mundi> "Almost makes me wish we had an orbital deathray system."
<JennyArtemis> "Yi...maybe, with all the systems we nicked in the ship,
we'd have a better idea, yeah?"
<Rez> "Eh, I got an idea."
<ChenMuYi> Its important that we include the natives in this Jenny. It
will be their world after this, and they need to be able to maintain it.

<JennyArtemis> "That's sorta what I been trying to get 'round to."
<the_Architect> "We might wish to enlist the aid of the bioaffective
nova Frost mentioned to aid us in the terraforming."
<JennyArtemis> "Maybe it's more imprtant for them to deal with this than
to have 'em rely on us for the task."
<the_Architect> "Without going through Frost, of course."
<ChenMuYi> I agree Jenny.
<ChenMuYi> Their forces should be sufficient, now that the Coalition is
scattered and leaderless.
<Spectrum> "I'd tend to agree there. THey've got Pursuer, Lotus
Infinte, and whoever that Kleisner guy is back on our Earth. They've
also got a few other heavy hitters...even if one of their women DOES
have the bad taste to sleep with Jono there."
<Rex_Mundi> "Nothing wrong with lending a helping hand... What was your
idea, Mr Rez?"
* Rez looks indignant at Spectrum, "Eh, mate! You watch it!"
<Rez> "It's Jono, mate, an my idea was to drop some've their best Novas
over the key alien sites. Y'know, seed em out."
<ChenMuYi> I have no objections to that plan
<Rex_Mundi> "I suppose we could do that."
<the_Architect> "I have finished dismantling Frost's communicators, and
I have obvious news.
<Rex_Mundi> "Yes?"
<ChenMuYi> They were tapped
<the_Architect> "They recorded everything up until I broke them apart
into their component molecules."
<the_Architect> "I would also like to examine the Eufiber suits he
provided, if no one will be offended."
<JennyArtemis> "It's good that I think naughty thoughts, then..."
<JennyArtemis> "Maybe later, luv."
<ChenMuYi> "MUCH later"
* Rex_Mundi just hands over his eufiber suit
<Spectrum> "So are we going to get new communications devices? And what
are we doing with this Earth's Frost?"
<the_Architect> "But definitely before we return to our home Earth."
<Rex_Mundi> "Go ahead. I do not have much use for it, anyway."
* the_Architect takes Professor Vladimir's eufiber. 1 "What would you
like them to have, Mister Carpenter?"
<ChenMuYi> The communications devices are up to Architect. I recomend we
let the natives deal with Frost.
* Rez throws his hands up as Rez takes his clothes off, "Whoa, mate! Put
somethin on! Givin me nightmares!"
<Rex_Mundi> "Agreed."
* Rex_Mundi looks around
<Rex_Mundi> "Anyone have a spare shirt?"
<the_Architect> "Mister Yi does."
<ChenMuYi> I really doubt it would fit you professor
<the_Architect> "Give me a moment then."
<Spectrum> "Jenny, some decorum from the leader, please. For God's sake,
grow the man some clothes!"
* the_Architect takes the kimono from Yi and reshapes it into something
to cover what it can of Professor Vladimir's massive frame.
<JennyArtemis> "Bloody hell..."
* Rex_Mundi shrugs and the ground beneath his feet shifts and trembles
like cookie dough, moving up to cover most of his body's more disturbing
parts
* the_Architect begins running microimplements through Rex_Mundi's
eufiber suit, searching for any hidden devices.
* Rex_Mundi shifts some of the earth to create what seems to look sort
of like the statue of a man in a costume.
<Rex_Mundi> "I appreciate your gesture, Miss Nagashima"
<the_Architect> "I do what I can to avoid upsetting the sensibilities of
those around me."
* Rez dissapears. A few minutes later he reapears with a huge swath of
cloth and some steel kilt pins. Proffers the bundle to Rex, eyes closed
<Rez> "Toga-up, mate."
* Rex_Mundi looks at the clothing, then puts it on toga-style
<the_Architect> "This tracking device was imbedded in the weave of
Professor Vladimir's eufiber. If any of you value your privacy, it
would be wise to let me remove them before we return to our home Earth."

<ChenMuYi> I have a better idea
* Rex_Mundi even seems to havea crown of laurel leaves upon his head as
he stands surveying his surroundings
<ChenMuYi> Spectrum, do you suppose you have an EMP left in you?
* the_Architect then returns the "clean" eufiber to Professor Vladimir,
but keeps the tracking device for herself.
<Spectrum> "I ALWAYS have an EMP left in me."
* Rex_Mundi suits up again, the eufiber adjusting to his bodily
properties
<JennyArtemis> "While you're at it, you might wanna check Yi's guns..."
<ChenMuYi> Hh, that's a good point
<the_Architect> "I must insist on sweeping everyone before we return
home. Privacy is not a consideration."
* ChenMuYi takes off the loaded trenchcoat and hands it to Architect
* the_Architect sits down and begins systematically field-stripping,
examining, and reassembling each of Yi's guns.
* After several days of strategic information and assistance, the
Dynasty stands ready to depart for the time being. Once again, they are
atop Aeyer's Rock with the Yacht behind them and a farewell party
arranged before them.
* ChenMuYi is, unbeknownst to the rest of the team, shoving the ships
supply of gamma rifles under his trenchcoat
* Rex_Mundi turns towards the few survivors in this war-torn world. He
gazes towards the horizon for a moment... Then: 1"We will return. One
day."
<the_Architect> "Our friends, we have done what we can to bring hope to
your world, but now it lies in your hands to shape a future for
yourself. We must return to our home to deal with other threats, but we
shall return when we can to see how you are doing."
<Spectrum> "The world's yours. We killed the aliens head, and the body
is yours. You're the last scions of humanity, and the last children of
Earth. You've got your destiny ahead of you, folks. Make it a good one."

* With a few other goodbyes, the Dynasty bordes the Yacht and Rez
removes it through the dimensional barriers to the darkside of the Moon.
There is a jarring, and a displacement, and a familiar sense of their
own dimension around them. Outside is a field of stars. The Yacht's
holographic displays show a picture of the Earth as well. Spectrum nods
to himself and smiles, "You know, I never really realized...but that is
one damn fine piece of rock we live on."

The End.

Stay Tuned for the Next Hot Storyarc for The Dynasty: "Payback!"