VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1], 2, 3, 4 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 22:34:14 06/13/00 Tue
Author: Mr. Phule
Subject: [NSSWOTA] Delusions of Granduer, part 8 [NSSWOTA]

And you thought I'd never finish it, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU! Well, that just goes to show how much you know. :-P

Sorry it took so long, but hey...the announcement of D2 going Gold was incentive I needed. With luck, the desire to write will hold together long enough for me to finish the series.

Anyway...I give you...

Delusions of Granduer
Part 8

Written By: Chris "Mr. Phule" Lingel


Grandeur, part 8

[Scene: A Desert in California (yes, there is a desert in California. Trust me.)

Emrys: Virtual Reality hookups?

Omnivich: Yup. Using this equipment, we can operate these Flensers by remote.

Emrys: AWESOME!

Omnivich: Assuming I can get it to work. This equipment is pretty old. I’d say it hasn’t even been looked at since 1994 at the latest.

Drake: How can you be so sure?

Omnivich: ::turning the laptop around:: It’s got a 20 megabyte hard-drive and runs Windows 3.1

Emrys: AUGH! I’m BLIND!

Drake: My eyes! Make it stop!

Omnivich: Well, it’s not that bad.

Emrys: How can you say that? Uhg.

Omnivich: Starcraft doesn’t run in 3.1, so I have no distractions.

Drake: I did notice that you’ve been working a lot faster than usual.

Omnivich: Well yea, you didn’t think it normally takes me four hours to write an e-mail do you? The draw of the game makes it slow going.

Emrys: You’re lucky. I’m still trying to register a Hotmail account. Every second the computer isn’t running Starcraft is a second in pure agony.

Omnivich: Um, yea. If we could get back to the matter at hand?

Emrys: ::sigh:: What I wouldn’t do for some Starcraft right now. A nice, solid game. To watch as my armies defeat all who oppose my power.

Omnivich: Yes, that’s nice.

Drake: So what do we need to do to make this work?

Emrys: The once arrogant line of Zealots breaking, running, trying all they can to flee from the impending doom they are about to face.

Omnivich: It should be ready to go. All I need to do is hook up the VR equipment and calibrate it so we can safely use it.

Emrys: Oh they tried to fight, and I will concede that many fell to their hands. But it was a futile gesture. Nothing can hope to stand long against the swarm, and the swarm obeys my every command.

Drake: Um, is this safe?

Emrys: Protoss and Zerg, dead on the ground. But with the price paid in Zerg blood, the Protoss have fled, and now nothing stands between me and total victory!

Omnivich: It should be, but the equipment was configured for Blizzard Employees, who probably underwent months of training. Not to mention it hasn’t been used in years. For all I know, turning these things on will cause them to explode.

Emrys: Ahh yes, the mighty explosions of combat. A weakness in the Protoss design, of all mechanical design. When a Zerg dies, it dies, our structures, on those rare occasions that something should happen to them, simply cave in. But the Protoss…no, they explode outward, damaging all that lies around it.

Drake: Well, we don’t really have much of a choice, do we? Turn one on.

Emrys: Inefficent design, the Protoss buildings. Of course, that says little compared to the peerless forces that are the Zerg. There is so very little that comes close to challenging my endless swarms!

Omnivich: Yea, but I need something to test it on. Ahh, I think I have an idea. ::taps the controls::

Emrys: Ahh…my swarms. How I long to have you under my control agai…wha, hu? WHAAAAAA!! *THUNK* Uhg *THUNK* Ahhhh! *THWACKTHWACKTHWACK* YEOUCH!! *THUD* Heh..heh...cool. *SLUMP*

::that bizarre sequence of noises was cause by the Flenser I picking up Emrys, throwing him through both sides of the cargo truck, passing through a small clump of cacti (cactuses?) on the other side, until finally hitting the ground, unconscious::

Drake: ::looking at the Emrys-shaped hole in the side of the truck:: Seems to have been a successful test.

Omnivich: Yup, worked like a charm. Now to get these other two up and running....all right. We’re in business.

Drake: Anthrax, wake him up. Emrys, Omnivich and I will pilot the Flensers. The rest of you make sure nothing happens to us while we’re hooked up.

Anthrax: Right.

Omnivich: Alright, once we uplink with the Flensers, we’ll have to go through the basics of piloting....

[Scene: Blizzard Dungeon. Phule and Tseng, still trapped, are making best possible use of their capticity, and have organized the other prisoners (consisting of 4 circus clowns, 2 mimes, 5 mysterious men in long cloaks, and a large can of baked beans that is wearing a prison outfit that looks like it was designed for a big can of baked beans) into a singing dance troupe.]

Mr. Phule: OK then, ALL TOGETHER NOW! And a one and a two and a...

Prisoners: ::singing:: Nobody knows....the trouble we’ve seeeeeeeeeen! Nobody knows....

Mr. Phule: Yes! YES! Feel the music...BELONG to the music. Let it flow. OW! Tseng, hey quit it!

Tseng: Will you stop that please? You’ve had them singing for hours. We need to get out of this cell.

Mr. Phule: ::whispers:: What do you think I’m doing?

Tseng: How will this get us out of the cell?

Mr. Phule: ::whispers:: Just watch. ::Full Voice:: YES, Now get ready...transition!

::The Prisoners line up and start performing a complicated dance. The large can of beans is placed in the center with a makeshift lions mane wrapped around it::

Prisoners: ::singing:: In the jungle...they mighty jungle, the lion sleeps TO-NIGHT!

Tseng: What are you doing?

Mr. Phule: Just watch. ::moves over to the guards:: Hey...mind helping us out with something?

Guard: Uhh…your not sposta talk.

Mr. Phule: But we aren’t talking. We are singing, performing!

Guard: Erm...ok...

Mr. Phule: Speaking of which, we need you for a part. Think you’d mind?

Guard: Well, I suppose. I did do a little actin’ once. I think.

Mr. Phule: Excellent. We are acting out a scene from Julius Ceasar, and we need you. Just come in here and I’ll explain everything.

Guard: Ok. Sounds like fun. But remember, you’re not sposta talk.

Mr. Phule: Oh don’t worry....we wont.

Guard: Ok. ::opens the cell door and stands inside.:: Erm, what do I do now?

Mr. Phule: ::smiles:: First, you lay down your weapons, turn to Brutus...played by the big can of beans, and say ‘Et Tu, Brutus?”

Guard: Uhh...that don’t sound like talking. ::THUD::

Mr. Phule: TSENG! You ruined my play!

Tseng: I got tired of waiting. Nice plan, now lets get out of here.

Mr. Phule: Awww....FINE! Be a prude!

Tseng: ::hefting the Guards pistol:: I’m an armed prude, so watch your tongue.

Mr. Phule: Good point. Now let’s get out of here.

Tseng: Naw, we’ll not get out right away. We have to neutralize their defenses. While we’re at it, maybe we can get Diablo 2. But lets move, before they realize that we aren’t down here anymore.

Mr. Phule: Somehow, I don’t think the guards will tell anyone anytime soon, seeing as they are all joining in, singing Kumbaya. But you’re right, we gotta roll.

[Scene: A Desert in California. (I’m telling you...there are too deserts in California! You think I’m lying, don’t you? DON’T YOU! Hrmpf)

Anthrax: Uhh, he aint waking up, dude.

Drake: ::sigh:: Alright, fine. Goku, you’re coming with us, then. Zeratul, you stay here and watch Emrys, make sure he gets better.

Omnivich: Anthrax, you’ll have to watch the connection from this side. The technology here is pretty sophisticated. Our minds are transferred into the Flenser. This hardware will keep our bodies safe while we’re out. This display here will give you a readout of our Flensers and how we’re doing. Got it?

Anthrax: Yea, I understand.

Omnivich: ::lifts a small covering on the control panel, revealing a red button:: If anything happens, push this button. It will transfer our minds back into our bodies, and send the Flensers back here on autopilot. The same will happen if the CPU in the Flenser is destroyed, but I’m not sure it will be safe for us. Testing on this was never completed.

Drake: Are we ready?

Omnivich: Yup, everything is all set. Goku, we’ll hook you up first.

Goku: Right. What do I do?

Omnivich: Just sit down, here in the truck, and we’ll start hookin’ ya up.

::2 hours later, 3 Flensers are racing across the desert::

Omnivich: #You guys getting a hold of the commands?#

Goku: #These sensations are unlike any I have ever felt. It is as though the armor is part of me.#

Drake: #I think I’m getting use to it. How do we shoot?#

Omnivich: #I’m not sure. Remember that for the time being, these Flensers are our bodies, so the guns are just another organ. We just have to figure out how to use them, that’s all.#

Drake: #I think I understand. But nothing happens when I think about shoot the gun.#

Goku: #It is because you are thinking too hard about it. We are able to run because we know how, but do you think in depth on how it works? Very little thinking goes into fighting, it is mostly instinct. Instinct trained with time and control. This is not something that you will be able to teach yourself without considerable training, but it will come in time.#

Omnivich: #Hmmmm, that makes sense. You’re a strong fighter Goku, try doing some tricks while running. Drake and I will watch and try to learn some things.

Goku: #Sure. No sweat.#

::As the landscape beings to change from desert to grassland, the three Flensers continue moving at high speeds, though their paths weave with ducks, turns, rolls, and jumps. Soon, they are within Irvine city limits, and are fast approaching the awaiting Blizzard forces.::

[Scene: Blizzard HQ. CEO’s Office]

::CEO and Dr. Seivan watch on a large view screen as the three Mark I Flensers approach, weaving complicated patterns::

Dr. Seivan: Remarkable. I would not have thought that the up-link systems would still be operational. They were unbelievably fickle. It takes a strong mind to be able to withstand the transfer.

CEO: Will they pose a threat?

Dr. Seivan: Perhaps. It is uncertain. I have the two Mark IV’s standing ready. They will most definitely out-gun these Mark I’s, but it seems that the rebels are surprisingly proficient at controlling them. We still hold the advantage, but I will admit that it is not so great as I had thought. We may be forced to unleash the Mark V on them. It is not totally complete yet, but it is combat effective.

CEO: I will have additional security guards deployed as well. You had best hope that your Mark IV’s are as effective as you claim, or we may have to renegotiate your contract, DOCTOR.

Seivan: ::sweating:: Yes...well, I doubt it will be a concern. One of the things few of the test pilots could do was master the weaponry, and despite their profiuciency, I doubt even they could do so in so short a time. Even without the chainguns, they are still formidable weapons, but only close range, they will not gain entry, I assure you.

CEO: You had best hope so, Doctor…for your sake. Now see to your laboratory. I want the Mark V fully equipped in time to assist the Mark IV’s.

Seivan: As you wish, my master. ::after Dr. Seivan leaves, CEO presses a button on his desk::

CEO: Deploy the defense grid, and send all guards to the battle posts. We will not allow these rebels another chance at us.

Voice: Yes sir. Right on it, sir.

CEO: (Something isn’t right…that isn’t my normal contact.) Is everything alright down there. You do not sound yourself.

Voice: Uhh, yes sir. I simply have a small cold, sir. I will see about your commands, sir.

CEO: Yes. Do that. ::breaks the connection, and stands. He presses another button::

Voice: Your command, sire?

CEO: (Ahh yes, this is one of mine.) There is an intruder in the underground command center. Take care of him immediately. And see to it that the defense grid is activated, and the guards sent to their posts.

Voice: As you command, sire...so shall I do.

[Scene: Blizzard HQ]

Mr. Phule: ::putting down the headset next to the unconscious officer:: I think CEO is on to us.

Tseng: That’s my bet as well. This is a good position, but they’ll converge on us. We’ll need to make our way through a swarm of security guards now.

Mr. Phule: I think we’ll manage. They’ll expect us to make a break for either the game, or the exit.

Tseng: We wont get out either way...so what do we do?

Mr. Phule: The one thing they’d never expect.

Tseng: What’s that?

Mr. Phule: Follow me. ::starts to leave::

Tseng: Back to the dungeon? That’s where we started!

Mr. Phule: And it’s the only way we can be sure the guards aren’t coming from. Maybe we can find another route out It’s our only shot.

Tseng: Right. Let’s move it, then.

::Before they are able to take more than a few steps, however…the building shakes with the dull sound of explosions. The lights flicker and several of the computer screens in the command center blow outwards.::

Tseng: That must be the others. We have to link up with them!

Mr. Phule: Right. We’ll go ahead and go for the surface. We’ll just have to fight our way through. Let’s go!

[Scene: Outside Blizzard HQ]

1>>>WARNING: Threat detected
1>>>4 Targets acquired
1>>>Treat ratings: 25 25 25 48
1>>>1 Target friendly
1>>>
1>>>Incoming up-link request with friendly F4 unit
1>>>Request accepted
1>>>Friendly F4 unit up-link complete

2>>>Friendly F4 unit up-link complete
2>>>Targets closing
2>>>Consulting Protocols
2>>>....
2>>>....
2>>>Dual attack sequence FF-14
2>>>Confirming with up-link unit
2>>>Dual attack sequence FF-14 confirmed
2>>>Commencing attack

1>>>Dual attack sequence FF-14 confirmed
1>>>Commencing attack

::The two Mark IV’s, moving in perfect unison, unleash a barrage of fire on the three Mark I’s, who scramble out of the way. Only one returns fire, hitting one of the Mark IV’s, but the chain-gun shells bounce harmlessly off of the dura-steel armor::

Omnivich: #Save your ammunition, Goku. Save it for the Security Guards.#

Drake: #I still wish I’d figured that out. No worries. Goku, you take on the Security Guards. Omnivich, we each get a Mark IV. #

Omnivich: #::sigh:: Right. I’ve got the one on the right.#

Drake: #So I get the one of the left, right? ::snickers::#

Omnivich: #Don’t even start with that.#

Drake: #Heh heh, sorry.#

Goku: #Watch out! Here they come!#

Drake: #BANZAI!!#

1>>>Targets 1 3 closing
1>>>Target 2 breaking off
1>>>Consulting protocols
1>>>....
1>>>....
1>>>Counter-attack targets 1 3
1>>>Dual attack sequence A-17D
1>>>Confirming with unit F4 up-link

2>>>Confirming with unit F4 up-link
2>>>Dual attack sequence A-17D confirmed
2>>>Commencing attack

::As the distance between the Flensers closes, the Mark IV’s fire another barrage, most missing and slamming into the Blizzard compound behind Drake and Omnivich. One shot hits Drake’s Flenser, but the armor repels most of the damage, leaving only a large scorch mark. The range closes as the Flensers make contact at high speeds::

::Omnivich and Drake plow into the Mark IV’s, and all four Flensers crash to the ground with a scream of metal on metal. Fists of iron slam into armor plating hard in blows hard enough to shatter concrete, but leaving only the slightest of dents, as the fight continues.::

To Be Continued...

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.