Date sent:      	Sat, 24 Mar 2001 17:23:50 -0500 (EST)
From:           	"Philip J. Moyer" <pmoyer@jurai.net>
To:             	John Biles <ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu>,
       	"Amy \"General Chaos\" Borden" <aborden@soltec.net>,
       	Chris Angelini <frobozz@eyrie.org>
Subject:        	[Amber/UnS] Beowulf, Kanna -- Sailing the High
Skies of Adventure

Beowulf OOCly whimpers.

Kanna OOCly looks at you folks dubiously.  *sigh*& Right. Mom told me
there'd be days like this...

Gabrielle says, "OOC: Nah, Rod. That statement should only be feared
when Mike be involved."

Kanna OOCly cracks her knuckles.  Let's rock this place.

In a page-pose to you, The_Prof carefully examines Kanna for any sign of
green facial skin. You page-pose, "Aerianne thwaps TRavis.  "No, Kanna's
not the She Hulk. The She-Hulk is just a mere Shadow of Kanna."" to
The_Prof.

Thoric asks, "OOC Okay, you two ready?"

Kanna OOCly says, "Ready as we'll ever be, I suppose."

Beowulf says, "OOC When you are, folks."

The_Prof pages, "No, wasn't thinking Hulk; was thinking the Mask. :)" to
you.

You page, "Oh, there any other TAMD epilogues planned, or were those it?
:)" to Akemi.

You page, "Nope, Kanna doesn't have any convey shapeshifting artifacts,
nope nope..." to The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Remember in his first really public appearance, at the
club, his first statement: 'Let's Rock this joint!' :)" to you.

Akemi pages, "Have to do a Mikage one to resolve his Mack on Anthy
business :)" to you.

You page, "Ahhhh.  Well, I've never watched the movie, sooo. *wg*" to
The_Prof.

The_Prof pages, "Uh-huh. :) Well, it's the only thing that he's done
that I've really liked, so..." to you.

You page, "Ahh.  Oh, and sent timeline to you of some of what Kanna's
done, if not stuff in shadow.  Prolly should re-send my notes on "Branches
of Wisdom" with the minor mods." to Akemi. In a page-pose to you, Akemi
nods

=============================
=============================

The location is the AAF Arden, one of the zeppelins that now runs
regular flights around the Golden Circle.

The Arden is currently making its way towards Cape Westb'ryport.

Beowulf is aboard the Arden, where he is supposed to meet with someone.

You page, "Okay, why's Kanna going on this little jaunt?" to Akemi.

Beowulf OOCly puts on the Raiders soundtrack.
Kanna OOCly should do that, actually.
Kanna OOCly says, "though right now, listening to Sonic Adventure's
tracks for Lost World, which also work."
Nausicaa says, "OOC Chrono Cross works well for these Amber campaigns. :)"

Motoko says, "'It sounds like a great idea.  It came to me in a flash of
inspiration while I was pleasuring myself with the hilt of my
Patternblade!'" Motoko says, "Mispage." Motoko says, "^^;;;;;" Nausicaa
says, "OOC O.o" Moriya OOCly says, "..........." Nausicaa says, "OOC I'd
like to see that, Motoko. ^^;" Jacqueline of Amber says, "OOCly well. now
we know why motoko doesn';t need boys." Motoko says, "OOC:  Wow, I don't
mispage often, but when I do, I do it really hilariously.  :)"

Akemi pages, "You're tracking a man who has been stealing rare art in
Ember named 'Renard le Fox'" to you. Akemi pages, "You believe he's in
disguise on this flight." to you.

The zeppelin is cruising along happily over the ocean.

You're supposed to hit Cape Westb'ryport in about two days.

You page, "*nodnods* So, Kanna's trying to look pseudo-incospicusous.
Yeah, 6-6, built like a tank... hrm, assume she's wearing her
slacks/sport-jacket/red top combo, not the tights, etc.  It's a bit more
cosmopolitan.  Weapons all hidden, Gaby manif worn as always, trump deck
on belt.  Anywhere I should be on it, or just feinging relaxation?" to
Akemi.

At the moment, both of you are in the parlour, failing to have noticed
each other due to implausible coincidences which are my right as a game
master.

Beowulf OOCly snerks.

It's a large room with several tables and lots of chairs.  There's some
people playing cards at one table.  There's two pool tables at one end and
padded couches along the walls.

A redhead, her hair chopped in a wolf-cut, tied back with a wide white
ribbon/headband, clad in tan slacks, sport-jacket with the sleeves rolled
up, and a red tank top, wanders in with a drink and a snack that she got
from the commisary.

Both of you being there means Kanna and Beowulf.

Kanna plops down with the snacks on one of the window-side couches, and
fishes out the copy of the Ember Times that somebody had left there two
flights back.  "Damn things never get printed on time," she mutters...

Kanna idly glances at folks there in the room... over at the card
players... then over at... hey, is that Bey?

You page, "Patternsight Beyowulf to confirm pattern imprint." to Akemi.

GM pokes Kanna, don't notice him yet.  :)

Beowulf is looking idly around the room for his contact.

Okay, she -doesn't- notice him yet.  She's more interested in the
crossword.

Beowulf blinks as he spots Kanna. "Ah, cousin! Might I ask as to the
reason I have the pleasure of your company? What has it been, a year?"

The door opens and a man who resembles a humanoid tiger in a business suit
walks in, followed by three ordinary looking men in business suits of the
Cape Westb'ryport style.  He sees Beowulf and homes in on him.

Kanna blinks, looking up at the folks, and waves, smiling, with the
newspaper in one hand.  "Hey they, Bey... eh?"  She quirks an eyebrow at
the humantiger.

You page, "Okay, NOW patternsight Bey, and the other guys who just
appeared." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Broken Pattern on Tigerboy, full regular imprint on Beo" to
you.

Beowulf notices the gentleman heading towards him, and briefly splits his
attention between the gentleman and his cousin.

Various people quietly clear out as they spot tiger-man.  But one group
keeps playing cards, oblivious.

Beowulf settles for a pleasant look up at the gentleman when he reaches
his table. "And a good day to you, sir. May I be of assistance?"

You page, "*nod* Does Renard the Fox have anything noteable about him that
I know about?  I take it I know his supposed 'normal' look..." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "No one knows his real appearance, which is why you haven't
caught him yet :0" to you. Akemi pages, "However, you know he always
leaves a calling card of a fox behind." to you.

The man says, "You are Beowulf Kohl?"

Beowulf nods.

Beowulf says, "At your service, sir."

Nausicaa says, "OOC This feels like a pulp. Cool."

You page, "Glance over at the folks at the cards, see if they're
reacting.  *nod* right.  Yay.  Firearms known to work along the route to
the Cape?" to Akemi. You page, "*nod* No wonder mom put me on the case."
to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Firearms start working somewhere along the way to
the cape.  the man's guards are packing guns." to you.

Kanna listens to Bey and Tigerboy's convo with one open ear...
everything's casual, everything's calm, everything's cool...

Beowulf stands up, bows, and gestures to the seat across from him.
"Please, sir, have a seat."

He sits down.  His two goons flank him.  He gets out a tea bag and says,
"I understand you're a conjuror.  Can you make a cup of hot water?"  He
offers you a second tea bag as well.

You page, "*nods* We're getting in range then.  What's the level of
power that Kanna would need to 'sense' when such transitions come into
effect?" to Akemi. You page, "Oh, and patternsight the cardplayers, too."
to Akemi. You page, "Any 'threat' sensing of posture, etc from the folks
here, aside from Bey?" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "They're all dangerous men,
but they seem to have no violent intent." to you. You page, "*nods* Do
unto others as they do unto you..." to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Khan has
Broken Pattern, the rest don't." to you.

Beowulf nods. "I'd be delighted to." He gestures briefly, and pops up a
pair of cups of hot water, then sniffs the teabag.

Orange ginger tea.

Beowulf nods. "Delightful blend; I thank you."

You page, "*nods* So Mr. Khan has BP, everybody else there is norms." to
Akemi. You page, "Can't -really- talk to Gaby safely to do things, so
right now she's just doing the observing thing." to Akemi. You page, "I
take it Amber Zepplins are all Ember-Helium filled? What's Kanna know
aside from what's on the page about the Cape?" to Akemi. Akemi pages,
"About all you know about the Cape is what's on the page." to you. You
page, "*nod*" to Akemi.

Khan produces a spoon and begins letting his tea steep.  "You're
welcome, Beowulf.  I hope your trip here was pleasant?"

Beowulf says, "Indeed. I love zepplin travel... very relaxing, and you can
find some wonderful scenery this way."

You chat amiably for a while.

Beowulf looks calmly at the tiger-man, not turning a hair at his unusual
appearance. "I really must thank you for suggesting this as a meeting
spot," he says, continuing his earlier thought.

He smiles and sips his tea.  "It tends to avoid certain problems, such as
customs fees.  So how much do you want for the Urns?"

Akemi pages, "You can hear some sort of weird scraping noise through the
exterior walls." to you. You page, "Which direction, how loud, does it
sound like it's coming from an area where I can look out the windows:?" to
Akemi. Akemi pages, "It's approaching the window near you." to you.

Kanna tilts her head curiously at something, munches a bit of her snack,
and turns slightly in her seat to glance out the nearest window.

Kanna slips one hand into her right-hand suitjacket pocket.

Akemi pages, "There's four men using climbing claws to make their way
towards the window." to you. You page, "Obviously, I'm glancing through
the window to try and see who or what's out there.  Any doors nearby that
would be openable?  Or windows?" to Akemi. You page, "*siiiigh*" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "The window is locked shut." to you. Akemi pages, "Though you
could unlock it pretty easily." to you. You page, "Air Pirates.  Why, oh
why did it have to be air pirates?  Hm.
 Okay." to Akemi.

Beowulf raises an eyebrow. "Indeed, it can." He pauses for a moment, as if
viewing the Urns in his mind. "I think a price of around 50,000 dollars
would be quite reasonable, given their condition."

Lord Khan nods.  "Alright.  I'd like to see one of them."

Beowulf nods in return. "Indeed; I anticipated you would, and brought
one."

Beowulf open up his carrying bag, reaches inside, and pulls out a silver
urn marked in odd runes.

Lord Khan examines the vase, then gets out a piece of paper with Sidar
runes on it.  He glances at the vase, then at the paper and nods
approvingly.

Kanna coughs a bit, masking her movements with her paper.  She looks
apologetically over at Bey and Kahn and stuff.  "Sorry... allergies." She
opens the nearby window.  "Need some air." She opens it, and leans out the
window with left arm inside holding on, the right hand pulling out
something from her sport-jacket pocket.

The wind blows the cards on the card table all over, the men scramble for
their cards.

Beowulf asks, "Does Lord Khan appear to be aware of the card player?"
Beowulf DOH's.

You page, "Once leaning out and can get a good view ont he climing men,
open fire on the grapplers.  "Michael" to pistol-crossbow form, open
fire." to Akemi.

Beowulf murmurs to Lord Khan. "You might wish to be aware that one of the
card players appears to be observing us."

Beowulf says, "OOC this is quietly enough that no one else should
overhear."

Akemi pages, "You nail one through the throat.  The other three open
fire on you.  You avoid the first shots, but there isn't much room to
dodge in the window..." to you.

Lord Khan sighs.  "Michael, please evict the man."  One of the goons
gets up and turns around.

You page, "Glack.  Duck back in, o' course." to Akemi.
You page, "They using firearms, or crossbows?" to Akemi.

And then the door bursts open, and eight men wearing short skirts and
large Egyptian style hats burst in, armed with machineguns.  "Give us the
vases in the name of the Nile Empire!!!!"

Akemi pages, "Crossbows." to you.

Beowulf sighs. "Dear me, not again."

Crossbow bolts fire in through the window, missing Kanna and hitting the
ceiling.  The card players curse.

Lord Khan rolls his eyes.

Beowulf quickly looks outside the window for the source of the bolts,
before turning his attention back to the men with guns.

Too far from the window, unfortunately, to see.

Kanna sighs.  "Oh -PLEASE-..." She groans, the crossbow in her right
hand snapping into a VERY LARGE gold-sphere-ended staff.  She mutters
under her breath.

Beowulf reaches inside his bag, and pulls out a small egg-shaped object,
and pulls a pin.

One of the men, distinguished by his bigger hat steps forward.  "You
will give me the v...shit."

And then tosses it into the middle of the men with guns.

Nausicaa says, "OOC Glargh."

They dive everywhere, not being fools.  The four card players now draw
pistols and dive towards the door to the dining room.

The grenade explodes, and the eight men's machineguns become tomatoes.

Lord Khan blinks.

You page, "[Kanna] *to gaby, mentally* <Sis?  Kindly dump these
gun-weilding guys overboard?  Or...neeevermind....>" to Akemi.

Kanna smiles at the men.

More shots erupt through the window at Kanna.

It is not a nice smile.

Beowulf raises an eyebrow again. "Perhaps we could discuss this
reasonably, gentlemen?"

Kanna groans.  "OH, GIVE IT A -REST-, ASSES!" she calls out the window.

Kanna ducks while she does this if it looks like any will hit.

Kanna grabs something out of her left-hand pocket, and it turns into a
pistol-crossbow, ready and waiting.

Beowulf moves to place the vertical bar between windows at his back, to
shield himself as much as possible from bolts coming through the window.

Kanna OOCly says, "Can the men from outside now be seen?"

The men look nervously at each other, then their commander shouts, "For
the glory of the Nile Empire!  DESTROY THEM ALL AND BRING ME THE VASE!"
Nervously, three of the men run at Beowulf, two at Kanna, and two at Khan.
 Meanwhile Khan's goons draw guns and drive the card players into the
dining car.

Beowulf reaches into the bag and pulls out his whip, using it to attempt
to pull the men off their feet.

Thoric says, "OOC The men climbing up the side can be seen by you from
your position."

Kanna swings her staff one-handed at the two running for her, hoping to
drive them towards the window.  Hey, don't waste thugs.  They're
recyclable!

Thoric says, "OOC Umm, Kanna, you were by the window...it's tricky to
drive them towards it when you're between window and them :)"

Beowulf spares a moment to look over at Kanna. "Can you see whoever's
shooting, cousin? How many are there?"

Beowulf cracks his whip, tangles their legs and the men falls.

Lord Khan sighs and cracks a strangely glowing black whip himself at his
two foes.  They both fall, screaming n agony.

The three men start to get up.

Kanna OOCly says, "Ack, right.  Kanna backs -away- from the window to deal
with the tro approaching."

Beowulf sighs. "Really, gentlemen, must you be so persistent?" And
reaches into the bag for another egg-shaped object, pulls the pin, and
tosses it at them.

Kanna exclaims, "Three of 'em, Bey!  Climbing from the outside!"

The two men charge Kanna, who easily whacks one in the head with her
staff, and then knocks the other off his feet.

And then the three from outside come climbing in.  "Give us the Vase!"

Beowulf asks, "OOC How far are they away from me?"

Kanna groans.  "You ever try K-Mart?"

Thoric says, "OOC The three that came in the window are 20 feet away."
Beowulf OOCly nods. "And the first three?"

The three hapless men get nailed by a grenade which sprays webbng all over
them.

Kanna OOCly says, "I take it the placement is Bey is furthest, then
Kahn, then random thugs spread about, and then Kanna, then the folks who
came in the window?"

The commander sighs, draws a knife, and charges at Beowulf.  Khan flicks
his whip and nails the man, who collapses screaming.

Thoric says, "OOC Yep."

Beowulf sighs, looks at the men who climbed in the window, and raises the
whip again. "Shall we dance, gentlemen?"

Kanna OOCly says, "Take out the guys who just entered the window, since
she's somewhat colser."

The trio produce butterfly knives.  "If you're man enough, Kohl," one of
them says.

Beowulf looks at Khan. "Are those gentlemen likely to get up again
soon?"

Khan says, "Depends on how well they handle pain."

Beowulf sighs again. "Must you always confuse the issue with
testosterone? If you insist."

Kanna sighs.  "Boys, boys -boys-... that'll be enough of that..." She's
more adrressing the three entrants, not Bey.

Kanna turns against the men.  The first one manages to block your first
blow, and the second one scores a leg wound.  The third one slips past her
and throws a knife which stabs into the vase, which begins to glow.

Beowulf then cracks his whip, and the man who wounded Kanna falls,
enabling her to beat back the first one easily.  The third one dodges the
whip crack.

Beowulf quickly sets the vase on the table, then examines it curiously.

Khan walks over to the fallen commander and examines him.

Kanna says, "Gah?!  SHIT!  These were good slacks!" She moves to KO the
third man with her staff now, the one who dodged the whip.

The third man pulls another knife, throwing it at Beowulf.

You page, "Any way to stop the knife before it reaches Bey?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "You can try.  Gonna do that?" to you. You page, "Yeah. 
Batter the knife down into the ground in mid-flight." to Akemi. You page,
"w' the staff, o' course." to Akemi.

Beowulf attempts to whip the third man into Kanna's staff.

The staff spins and knocks the knife throw awry, then the whip cracks and
the man gets shoved into the path of another blow from Kanna.  He stumbles
back and twists a ring, beginning to glow.  The vase casually vanishes.

Khan kneels by the commander, placing a paw on the man's brow.

Kanna rushes the man to grapple with him now.

Beowulf asks, "OOC Who's left?"
Moriya OOCly waves out.

Beowulf suggests to one of Khan's men to try and capture one of the card
players.

Thoric says, "OOC At this point, the last of the guys who climbed in the
window is starting to turn pretty colors like the vase did.  The rest are
clobbered."

Khan's men have chased the card players out of sight.

Beowulf says, "Attempt to use the whip to yank the ring off his finger."

Beowulf drats, still need to get the hang of action. :p

Kanna OOCly says, "it's a bitch, ain't it? *wl*"
Gabrielle says, "OOC: we all had to learn. It won't take long."
Beowulf OOCly grins wryly. "Indeed. Hopefully I'll get it down.
Eventually."
Nausicaa oocly nods

The whip cracks at the man' finger, pulling off the ring.  But the man
continues to glow and fades away as the ring rolls over to Beowulf.

Beowulf asks, "OOC Is the ring still glowing?"

Lord Khan stands up from the commander, shaking his head.  "Lunatics of
shadow."

The ring has ceased to glow.

Kanna OOCly says, "And Kanna gets there just in time for Mr. Man to
vanish.  WHeee."

Nausicaa exclaims, "OOC mad whipping skillz!"

Beowulf says, "Apparently so." Beowulf looks down at the ring. "Well,
perhaps we can use this to trace them."

Thoric says, "OOC Pretty much :)"

You page, "[Kanna] <<Gaby?  Track for trump energies?  Got folks who
just vanished.>>" to Akemi.

You page, "[Kanna] <<And magic, too.>>" to Akemi.

Kanna grumbles, screetching to a halt.  "Well, -fuck-."

Lord Khan turns to Beowulf.  "Well, that was a waste of our time.  I
assume we only lost that one?"

Nausicaa says, "OOC Yumi probably teaches whipping skillz in her off
time. ^^;"

Beowulf says, "Well. I suggest we restrain these fellows, and see what
they had in mind."

Akemi pages, "[Gaby]  No trump enegies.   Must have been magic." to you.

Beowulf nods to Lord Khan. "Indeed. It would be a shame if all were
risked."

Akemi pages, "[Gaby] I'll start trying to run a trace." to you.

Kanna picks up her staff and crossbow, and they shrink away, before
being put back into her jacket pockets.

You page, "[Kanna] Thanks, sis... I'll let Bey know once we're alone." to
Akemi.

Beowulf says, "Although I have hopes that this one may be recovered. We
shall see."

Kanna checks back out the open window.  Any OTHER weirdoes?

Khan says, "Well, I am willing to pay you two thirds for the other two,
and the remaining third should you recover the third vase."

Beowulf looks around. "Perhaps we should see if your men have taken care
of the card players before we continue? I should hate to lose another."

Beowulf says, "Certainly a fair arrangement, Lord Khan."

Beowulf says, "It might also prove useful to question them, as I am not
sure if they were preparing to act against us or against these other
deluded fellows."

Khan nods.  "A good idea."  He goes and secures his men, who report they
handed over the card players to the zeppelin crew.  "Artifact smugglers,"
George reports, laughing.

Kanna idly comments, "Beats the hell outta me, Bey.... eh?"

Beowulf shrugs calmly. "Well, these things happen, Kanna."

Kanna glances over curiously at 'George'.  "One of 'em happen to be
named Renard?"

Lord Khan looks Kanna up and down.  "Interesting."

George says, "Huh.  Didn't even think to ask their names."

Khan sighs.  "George, names are important."

Beowulf blinks curiously at Lord Khan. "Interesting?"

Beowulf asks, "Perhaps we could ask the zepplin crew if we could talk to
the gentlemen?"

Khan says, "I have heard of the Princess of Ember, but never seen her
before.  Larger than I expected."

Rod pages, "punch! punch! punch! :)" to you.
You page, "Not when Mr. Tiger's men nicely possibly caught the men I'm
tracking... :)" to Rod.

Nausicaa oocly snickers.

Kanna nods, and chuckles.  "I get that comment often.  But thanks."  She
grins.  "Yes, talking to them would be -very- nice."

Beowulf says, "Ah. Yes, she's a delight to the family."

Kanna cracks her knuckles, meaningfully.

Nausicaa says, "OOC Gotta go. Gf calls."
Nausicaa oocly waves out.
TimeRunner has disconnected.
>> Timerunner gets swallowed up by a Corridor, leaving behind a mindless
Analogue.

Beowulf says, "OOC Seeya, TR."

Kanna then hrms, and moves over to where the card players were playing, to
examine the cards that got blown about.

You find lots of cards. Notably, there's five kings to be found
scattered around (two Kings of Diamonds)

Beowulf looks around to see if any of the zeppelin's crew has returned.

Beowulf examines the cards as well.

A steward comes in, looking apologetic.  "I'm very sorry about this,
lady and gentlemen."

They are playing cards with a silver cow on the back.

Beowulf asks, "Ah, well, these things happen, old chap. Is there a
chance we could talk to the gentlemen who were recently detained?"

Kanna snorts a bit at the cards, and gathers them up anyway, tucking
them into her pocket.

You page, "Was trying to find any with foxes on the back..." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "They all look pretty normal." to you. You page, "Keep 'm,
anyway." to Akemi.

Beowulf examines the cow for a moment. "Hm. It appears this is a symbol of
the cult of Hathor, a deity of the City of Brass. Interesting."

The steward blinks.  "I suppose if you really want to."

You page-pose, "Aerianne pauses.  City of Brass." to Akemi.
You page, "Lava Circle Trade Partner.  Do I know about that cult?" to
Akemi. Akemi pages, "Take a look at the City of Brass writeup towards the
end :)" to you.

Beowulf looks guilelessly at the steward. "Well, it would be a help."

Lord Khan says, "If these men are cow cultists, I will be rather
annoyed, as I find cow cults highly moronic."

Kanna pauses, and frowns at the cards as Bey mentions the City of Brass.

Beowulf nods at Khan in understanding. "I can see that, sir."

Kanna frowns some more. "well, -fuck-."

Kanna says, "Mad cow cultists.  Wuunnerful."

The steward looks confused.  "If you say so, ma'am.  Well, if you want, I
can take anyone who wishes to go, to the brig to see them."

Kanna stands up again.  "Yes, I'd like to go."

Beowulf looks at Lord Khan. "Would you care to join me there, or would you
prefer we conclude our business first?"

Kanna glances back at Bey and Kahn, to see what they're about to decide.

Lord Khan says, "I think I simply wish to conduct our business and
depart."

Beowulf asks, "Very well, then." Beowulf looks at the steward. "Could this
wait for a moment, please?"

The steward says, "As you wish, sir.  I'll be in the dining room when you
are ready."

Kanna nods, and waits by the doorway then, in something of a
crossed-armed guard posture.

Beowulf gestures politely at the table and chairs, setting them back up if
necessary, and sits down to conclude their business.

You page, "[Kanna] Gaby?  Infobrief:  Anything up lately with the City of
Brass, politically, relating to their revenge cult based on Hathor, their
cow goddess?  Has trade been impacted with Ember?" to Akemi.

You quickly finish the sale.  Lord Khan pays in gold dollars after
carefully inspecting the two vases.

Akemi pages, "[Gabby]  Nothing much of late.  Things have been pretty calm
lately.  Their big annual festival where they crucify Hiko in effigy is
coming up, though." to you.

Beowulf thanks Lord Khan kindly and bows.

Lord Khan says, "Contact me if you recover the third.  I'd like the
complete set."

Beowulf says, "A pleasure doing business with you, sir, in spite of the
incidental interruption. I shall indeed."

He rises and bows, then turns with his men to head back towards the
sleeper compartments.

You page, "[Kanna] Right. *sigh*  This just might be isolated, then. Still
gotta find that renard asshole... wonder if he's workin' with 'em.
 At least we've still got two days till Westb'ryport." to Akemi.

Beowulf turns to Kanna. "Shall we, cousin?"

In a page-pose to you, Akemi nods

Kanna pulls away from the wall, and nods.  "Let's, coz."

Beowulf puts the coins in the bag as he gets up and walks over to Kanna.

You quickly find the steward, who takes you to the brig, where the four
men have been thrown in a cell.

Kanna casually knocks on the door/wall near to the cell.  She smiles.
"Well.  -helllo- there..."

The men look up at you resentfully.

Beowulf walks in and beams cheerfully. "Ah, gentlemen. How good to see you
again. Perhaps there's something we could discuss?"

"I ain't got nothing to say to you," one of them says.

Kanna smiles back.  It's nice and pleasant.  Really.  Would I lie? 
"Interesting game of cards you play..." She pulls out the gathered cards
from before, and idly shuffles them.  "Now now, is -that- any way to
talk?"

The second says, "Uh, we wuz just playin' poker."

You page, "Take it normal humantypes, none of them have BP... can I
place natiolaities?" to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "No special powers.  They look like generic whiteboys. 
Style of dress indicates probably from Cape Westburyport." to you.
Akemi pages, "As they had real guns and 20th century clothing" to you. You
page-pose, "Aerianne nods." to Akemi.

The third says, "Yeah, five card draw."

Beowulf cocks an eyebrow at Kanna, and looks slightly worried. "Now,
now, Kanna... surely we should try friendly conversation first? It *is*
rather hard to talk to a gentleman with a broken spine."

Kanna nods, sagely.  "Ah yes, poker.... five card draw...  Five kings,
five queens...."

Kanna gives Bey a "Hey, I'm harmless!  -Really!-" shrug and smile.

The third one says, "Damn you, Bill, CHEATING AGAIN!"

The fourth one looks embarrassed.

Beowulf looks at Bill. "Really, Bill, you should learn to be more
skillful at this. I could suggest a shadow or two where they are quite
competent at this, out around Yig..."

The_Prof pages, "Good cop, bad cop? :)" to you.
You page, "I think they're getting into it already. :)" to The_Prof.

Kanna says, "Hey, relax, bey.  Last guy was out of traction in a year...
or was it two?  I forget..." She casually scratches her cheek with the
shuffled cards.

Beowulf says, "Well, yes, I suppose. Still, it is rather hard for a man to
talk when he's gasping in pain."

Kanna says, "That was 'cause Doc Tofu just saw Bard Priss walk by.  Not
-my- fault."

Beowulf absent-mindedly reaches into the bag and pulls out a steel bar,
then hands it to Kanna to keep her hands occupied.

The men twitch. The steward says, "M'am, sir, I'm afraid Airline
regulations forbid threatening to torture people.  Just a note."

The four smugglers look relieved.

Kanna accepts the bar, and uses it to keep her hands occupied.  She
sighs, theatrically.  "Awww.  Fine, fine."

The first one says, "Look, what choo want from us anyway?"

Beowulf blinks and looks at the steward in surprise. "Torture? Dear me,
perish the thought. I just worry about my cousin sometimes... she can get
a little excitable."

Rod pages, "trump away, torture! torture! torture! come back :)" to you.
You page, "Not while there's a steward witnessing! :)" to Rod.

Beowulf says, "Want? My dear sir, I simply thought we could chat for a
bit. The City of Brass is such an interesting place, isn't it? I always
enjoy the chance to learn more about it."

You page, "Steel rods should easily be bendable for Kanna without being
overly stressful for her?" to Akemi.

Kanna offhandedly comments, "That is, when the natives aren't trying to
torch anybody who slips up...."

Beowulf says, "Well, yes, there is that. A minor drawback to the regular
package tour."

Beowulf smiles at the gentlemen. "Such an interesting place, though;
wouldn't you agree?"

Kanna says, "That and the heat, the lava, the folks who hate anybody
from this end of the cosom..." She shrugs.

Beowulf says, "For example, I never knew that Hathor sanctioned cheating
at cards." He smiles especially broadly at Bill.

The men stare at you blankly.  "Huh?'

One of the men asks, "City of Brass?  What's that?"

Beowulf says, "Well, the playing cards you were using are marked with the
symbol of Hathor, the cow deity of the City of Brass, and were stamped
with a maker's mark from the City."

Kanna says, "Interesting that you got 'em up this way."

You page, "Those sorts of cards regularly imported?" to Akemi.
You page, "From the city of brass, that is." to Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Yep. You wouldn't expect to see too many such packs
floating around shadow." to you.
You page, "Righto.  Odd that they're up here, being used by guys who
have no apparent CLUE about the City of Brass.... Hmmmmm." to Akemi.

The man says, "Uhh, they wuz complimentary with my last flight."

Beowulf brings out a card to show them. "I wouldn't be surprised if they
had some form of enchantment on them, to ensure that those who use them
are faithful to Hathor."

The man says, "Hathor's that cow thing?"

Beowulf says, "Why, yes. Supposed to be a goddess of good, and indeed is
in most shadows, although in the City of Brass she has morphed into a
deity of revenge, or so it would appear. However, all tales seem to agree
on her moral rectitude."

Beowulf looks curious. "I do wonder where you managed to pick them up."

Kanna says, "Weird, that."

You page, "And answer on the steel bar?" to Akemi.
You page, "What were the prior stops for this zeeplin?" to Akemi.
You page, "(oh, and what day be this in Amber?  This is the kinda thing
that gets into diaries. :)" to Akemi. Akemi pages, "Last stop was Cathay 3
days ago." to you. Akemi pages, "It's March 22" to you. You page, "*nods*"
to Akemi.

Beowulf gives the gentlemen a thoughtful look. "I wonder if they had
anything to do with those odd men who burst in on us so rudely? You
wouldn't happen to know them, would you?"

Beowulf asks, "I suspect it would be most unfortunate if you were
associated with them, as I understand the Cape Westb'ryport government
takes a rather dim view of the more exotic religious practices." He gives
them a slight frown. "You wouldn't be able to prove that, would you?"

The man says, "Geez, it's just a freaking deck of cards!  I'm not
looking at your shoes and claiming yer one of those Bloc Rebmaquois
looneys just cause you got a dolphin on them, am I?"

He says, "We wuz just waiting for Renard to show up so we could buy some
stuff off him!  And playing cards. And well, everything went ot hell, and
I thuoght I could nick yer vase.  Pure silver don't go cheap."

Beowulf says, "My dear sir! I see no reason to get so excited over
this... after all, I'm merely trying to get a few facts straight so we
could clear things up with the city authorities when we arrive."

Kanna says, "Sounds like not a very punctual guy, this Renard.  Don't even
see why you're even bothering with him."

Beowulf says, "Well, yes. Of course, Renard is quite good at what he
does. You might want to consider your skill levels before attempting to
emulate him."

the guy says, "Cause he's supposed to be selling us these damn rare
Rebman sacrificial daggers, see.  And with Rebma gone down the hole, ya
can't get 'em no more."

Beowulf raises an eyebrow. "Indeed. They *are* rather difficult to find
these days, aren't they?" He shakes his head. "Renard... I would like to
meet him, one of these days."

Kanna says, "Huh.  Didn't know they -had- sacrifical daggers.  DAmn.
That's what I get for not getting a full education." She sighs.  "Mom had
-such- high hopes for me..."

Beowulf says, "Well, I'm sure I could get you into the Panopticon Night
School program, if you're interested, cousin... a number of interesting
things to pick up there."

Kanna says, "I'll hafta check it out."

The man says, "Well, he ain't supposed to show up for another hour, I
think."

Beowulf looks hopefully at the men. "I don't suppose you could arrange a
meeting? Of course, I understand you'll be rather occupied and will have
to miss this meeting, but perhaps another time? I would be rather
greatful."

And then a voice echoes over the loudspeakers.  "A prince of Amber and a
prince of Ember.  I see I've bagged quite the haul here."

Beowulf says, "OOC Er, grateful."

Beowulf looks up at the loudspeakers. "Ah... Renard, I assume?"

It's a woman's voice, rather angry sounding.

Kanna just arches an eyebrow.  She comments, idly.  "That's princess."

Beowulf asks, "Or perhaps not?"

Kanna looks at the men.

"You people disgust me!  My homeland was destroyed and you go
gallivanting around the universe as if you owned it!"

You page, "[Kanna] Can you trace that signal?" to Akemi.
You page, "(to gaby, that is.)" to Akemi.

The men says, "Renard ain't no chick, I think."

Beowulf nods. "I see."

Beowulf murmurs quietly to the steward. "I take it she is most likely to
be broadcasting from the control room?"

Akemi pages, "[Gaby]  I'm getting a BIG surge of magic from up above
you, but I think the voice is probably using the captain's controls in the
control room." to you.

The steward nods and whispers, "It sounds like the lunatics from Bloc
Rebmaquois."

Kanna says, "Well, I prefer to think of it more as a long-term -loan-...
 And yes, we're working ont he problem.  Honestly."

"I heard that, you little toad!"  *Blink* the Steward is a toad.

Beowulf bows and speaks to the loudspeaker. "It is always a shame when
one's homeland is destroyed. I certainly think the situation should be
rectified as quickly as possible."

Akemi pages, "[Gaby] Shielding you from magic NOW" to you.

Kanna nods, and whispers to the steward... well, okay, doesn't.

Kanna begins to glow.

You page, "[Kanna] Extend to Bey if he doesn't already have it.  And
trump these bozos int he brig back to Ember with my compliments, get 'em
locked up." to Akemi.

"You betrayed us!  And you've done nothing to help us!  Your death will
give your callous king a taste of our suffering.  VIVE REBMA LIBRE!!!!"

The men in the brig start to turn rainbow colored.

Beowulf asks, "OOC The steward as well?"

Kanna waves byebey to the men, happily.

Kanna OOCly says, "just the guys in the brig, I beleive."
Thoric says, "OOC not the steward"
Beowulf asks, "OOC rainbow colored like the previous teleport?"
Thoric says, "OOC Like a trumping"

Steward:  Ribbet.

Beowulf says, "OOC Ah."

Kanna OOCly says, "And Kanna's looking rather calm about it for the
moment."

"As you perish in flames, you will taste the true bitter dregs of our
AGONY!"

And then the gas bag blows up high above you in eight places

And the zeppelin starts doing the 'DIVE INVOLUNTARILY' thing

Beowulf grabs Kanna and attempts to trump out.

Kanna sighs.

You page, "The 4 guys from the brig have been trumped out, yes?" to
Akemi.
Akemi pages, "Yes." to you.

Kanna scoops up the frog-steward.

Ribbet.

Kanna asks, "We gonna try to grab the folks up top, or your friends, or
what?"

Beowulf asks, "OOC How much longer would I guess we have before we
crash?"
Kanna OOCly says, "I imagine we're over the ocean..."
Thoric says, "OOC You have about ten minutes to impact, and you're way out
over the ocean."

You can hear various passengers panicking in the distance

Beowulf says, "Hmmm. More time than I'd thought, then. Start looking for a
way to get to the outside of the control cabin."

Kanna OOCly says, "Righto.  How big is the zepplin, and has Kanna/Gaby
been to Westb'ry port, and/or Cathy?" Kanna OOCly says, "Er, cathay."
Beowulf looks over at Kanna. "Your sister helping out?" Thoric says, "OOC
You've been to Cathay, but not Cape Westburyport." Thoric says, "OOC The
cape's a fairly recent addition to the golden circle." Beowulf asks, "OOC
Have the prisoners trumped out yet?" Thoric says, "OOC Yep, Prisoners are
long gone." Kanna nods.  "Gaby, start evacing folks back to Cathay if y'
can!"

Kanna nods.  "Had sis evac the guys in the brig back to Ember to be
locked up.  Let's move, coz!"

Beowulf says, "Come with me, cousin, and we'll see if I can find enough
space to pull this off; I may have something to help with."

Gabrielle pings. "People might not take Trump Gates popping up in front of
them calmly, but I'll give it a shot, sis."

Kanna says, "Well, they prolly won't take plunging into the ocean in the
middle of shadow calmly, -either-..."  She nods.  "Lead on, Bey."

Beowulf looks for a place to go outside the gondola, then reaches into the
bag. "Kanna, you might have Gabrielle protect *this* one, as best she
can."

You head out onto an observation balcony.

You can see land way, way off.

A dozen hang-gliders are arcing off towards the south, where there's
nothing but open water.

Kanna hms, looking at bey.  "Eh?"

Beowulf says, "Hmm. I wonder where they're going? Anyway..."

Gabrielle flashes into existence. She's wearing goggles and a flight
suit. "Protect what, Wolfy?" She grins.

Beowulf opens the bag and begins pulling something out. And pulling. And
pulling. A long spindle shape starts to emerge, engines humming. Finally,
the zepplin has been completely removed from the bag. You can see a large
name stenciled on the bow: A J A X.

The zeppelin hovers next to the gradually descending wrecked AAF Arden.

Kanna sighs.  Hang gliders.  She then blinks at the zepplin being pulled
out.  "AH.  Sis, get people over here instead!"

Beowulf exclaims, "All right, everyone; alll ABOOOORD!"

Gabrielle stares at it. "That's a War Rocket," she says.

Gabrielle quickly evacuates everyone to the Ajax, including the
still-tied up captain and bridge crew.

Kanna exclaims, "Any port in a storm!  GEt the people and stuff over!"

Beowulf blinks at Gabrielle. "No, no, it's a rather nice dirigible, if I
do say so myself."

Gabrielle does.

Beowulf gestures over to the control room. "Shall we, cousins?"

Kanna then looks at Bey.  "Quick run through to see anyone we missed? Or
ddid we also get the quack up top?"

Kanna OOCly says, "were the hang gliders flying away from the falling
Arden?" Beowulf asks, "OOC How much time have we taken?"

The gliders land on the ocean below, then float there as the glider
riders simply dive into the ocean, which begins to churn.

Thoric says, "OOC Yes, they were."
Kanna OOCly says, "That answers that."

Beowulf says, "Ah, undersea folk. Indeed."

Thoric says, "OOC You have about five minutes before the Arden crashes."
Beowulf says, "OOC OK, let's take a quick run through the ship."

Kanna nods.  "Renegade rebmans.  They've all probably bailed.  Sis can
trump us back up before we crash."

Kanna goes with Bey, as she's his ticket outta here.

Beowulf says, "Good enough. Let's do our search."

Gabrielle sniffs. "Bloc Rebmaquois."

A quick search of the ship reveals a finely carven dagger driven through a
table in one of the cabins, that the safe of the blimp has been looted and
a business card with a fox on it has been left behind, and that one of the
room has an obelisk in it covered with runes.

Beowulf asks, "Well, yes, Gabrielle. Still, it's understandable that
they'd be a bit deranged, after all... wouldn't you be a bit disturbed if
Ember were destroyed?"

Kanna sighs.  "DAmn Politcal Extremists...."  She starts searching,
accompanying Beowulf, knocking down any locked doors (and making sure they
get their stuff.)  "Well, FUCK!"

Beowulf quickly examines the obelisk.

The finely carven dagger has a dolphin, a whale, a shark, and a sea
horse carved onto it.  the hilt looks like coral.

Gabrielle says, "Yes, but Ember will -NEVER- be destroyed, because we
aren't idio- oooo, shiny."

Kanna pulls out a plastic bag, and grabs the business card with the fox,
quickly examinging the rest of the room to try and figure the sequence of
events in the room.  "Careful, you two... Renard le Fox was here."

Beowulf says, "Well, yes, I'd gathered that."

Gabrielle scratches her head. "Isn't that name stupidly redundant?"

Kanna grimices.  "Yes, it is.  The criminal element's slacking off."

Beowulf says, "Interesting... the dagger appears to be magical, and the
obelisk appears to have some form of power that I can't identify."

It looks like the safe was opened with powerful acid.

Kanna frowns, and looks at the Obelisk with Patternsight.

Akemi pages, "It's not a power you recognize" to you.

Kanna says, "Safe to transport or trump?  I don't like magic stuff that
mia ain't checked out."

Kanna asks, "... what the -fuck- are these people shipping?"

Beowulf asks, "Indeed. 'Twas my concern as well. What did you find out, if
anything?"

Kanna asks, "Sis, scan the dagger?"

Kanna says, "No clue on what the obelisk is.  Oh, and in case you didn't
know, your tiger friend from earlier had a Broken Pattern imprint."

Gabrielle says, "Don't see wht not, sis. We might wanna grab the loot and
run, though, because when this thing hits the water what's left of the
hydrogen is going to go." She holds out a hand and scans the dagger with
lines of light.

Kanna pauses, and considers the runes on the obelisk.  Do they look
familar at all?

Beowulf says, "Although it appears to have been made only a few months
ago, so it isn't any particularly ancient artifact. Perhaps it was from
those Nile cultists."

You have abuot a minute to impact.

"I mean, -I'd- enjoy that, but you two might no- hunh."

Akemi pages, "It's Egyptian Hieroglyphics, which you can't read, but can
recognize as such." to you.

Kanna nods.  "Get us and the obelisk and the knife up to the top..."

Beowulf says, "Yes, I suppose that would be a good thing at the moment."

Thirty seconds to impact

Gabrielle nods, snaps her fingers, and opens a Trump Gate.

Back to the Ajax.

Kanna exclaims, "Think so, Bey.  It's Egyptian Hieroglyphics.  Can't
read 'em, but I recog 'em... everybody through!"

Beowulf goes through the gate to the Ajax.

Kanna has gaby grab the items and send them all back up to the Ajax.

As well as themselves.

Gabrielle opens Trump Gates 'aplenty.

Beowulf says, "We should certainly have these items analyzed when we
return to Amber, cousin."

Kanna makes sure she and bey and the stuff is good, and time for gates to
close.  She moves to the nearest window to watch the Arden go pif.

Beowulf moves to the controls and steers the Ajax out of the potential
blast radius.

Beowulf makes sure to stay away from the spot where the Rebmaquois
fellows landed.

Kanna pauses.  She looks back at the knife as something occurs to her. She
looks at the knife's hilt.  Does it look to be of particularly rebman
make?  Ie, from mom's art books and stuff?

The Arden hits the ocean, a whale rises and eats it.

Beowulf blinks. "Indeed."

Gabrielle watches the Arden get eaten. "You lead an interesting
lifestyle, Wolfy."

One of the Arden's crew says, "I hope insurance will cover this."

The knife does evoke typical Rebman themes.

Sadly, you slept through your tutor's classes on Rebman Art.

Still, the Narwhale and the Dolphin were symbols of Rebma.

Kanna OOCly says, "So I know it's rebman or not?  Or just recog without
translating what they might mean?"

And they loved to use Coral.

Kanna OOCly says, "Blllll."

Thoric says, "OOC You can't be sure it's Rebman, but it does seem
Rebman-like."

Kanna frowns a bit.  "Hey, bey.  How much you wanna bet this is a rebman
sacrificial dagger?"

Beowulf says, "Well, yes. I suppose, if you consider this sort of thing
unusual."

Thoric says, "OOC Doh."
Beowulf says, "OOC Last thing I saw was 'One of the Arden's crew says, "I
hope insurance will cover this."'"

Beowulf says, "It does indeed look rather like one; the coral hilt is
rather distinctive."

Kanna asks, "What'd you get magically off it, sis?"

Beowulf says, "Of course, my knowledge of Rebma is somewhat limited, so
perhaps we should have... perhaps Miki or Kozue? look at it when we
return."

Kanna nods.  "Prolly safest.  Aunt Kozue's a decent mage, and we can
have your mom look at it too."

Gabrielle gives the dagger a look. "Nasty little thing. It'll do some real
damage to anything that doesn't live in the water." She sniffs
disdainfully. "It'll also shoot ice shards through the next person who
gets stabbed with it."

Kanna winces.  "Ewww."

Beowulf says, "Not terribly friendly, I will admit."

Gabrielle says, "You could store a spell in there to, if you wanted. I
think that's how it does the ice thing."

Beowulf says, "It's worth considering, Gabrielle. Though I also admit a
certain distaste for the... object."

Kanna nods.  "Recently made, or... damnit, still gotta track the Fox.
Arrrgh."  She looks a tad ticked, but hey.  "He prolly bailed when the
Arden started going down.  Unless he grabbed and came over here... Anybody
carrying anything weird when you brought 'em over?"

Beowulf says, "I would also like to show the obelisk to Aunt Nanami; I
understand she has some experience with these sort of things."

Gabrielle shrugs. "Can't tell that kind of thing just from trump Gating
someone unless I try."

Kanna nods.  "Right, right.  Hadda ask."  She smiles slightly.  "Hrm. get
this thing to Westb'ryport with the rest of the passengers and crew, then
head back to Amber?"

Beowulf says, "Sounds like an appropriate plan."

Thoric says, "OOC And we'll cut here as it's almost 4 AM here."
Kanna OOCly says, "Figured. :)"
Beowulf says, "OOC Yah. It's about that time. :)"

Gabrielle ruffles Kanna's hair, which looks odd as she has to stretch to
do it. "Mom would go nuts if she knew the trouble I let you get into."

Gabrielle says, "OOC: ah, okay."

Kanna laughs, and gives her older sis a quick hug.  "Eh, like she's done
better?"

Beowulf blinks. "Trouble? Merely an entertaining exercise, I would say."

Kanna OOCly says, "provided our characters let go."

Beowulf smiles and bows to the pair. "Still, I greatly thank you for the
help."

Beowulf says, "OOC And I think that closes off the thank-you's. :)"

Kanna says, "No probs, Bey." She bows back.

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