University Saga

[DarkCloud]

6-3-01
-From June 3 to 7th the first 2 chapters were reworked and updated


University Saga (c) 2000-2001
DarkCloud

NOTES: This story begins strange and gets stranger with every chapter's addition
I hope that you enjoy it.
P.S: All titles are names of Popular Songs, Movies or Computer Games


Chapter I "Tomorrow Never Dies"
(Otherwise known as the Comedy section of this story)
Year 2045 P.Y. 45
Decurn 16 Day 10
--------------------------------

Academician Prokhor Zakharov asked his chief advisor, (The man formerly known as The Man
Formerly Known as The Symbol Known As "Prince") Zwiziaona, to bring in the prisoner, which, with nodding head, Zwiziaona did promptly.

The prisoner thrashed around for a few moments until addressed by the Great Zakharov himself. "So Mr. Bondt," he began "You thought it would be good luck for yourself to name yourself after a B-Movie hero of the 1960's to the 2020's did you?" Zakharov smiled "Well, you thought wrong."

Bondt spat, "You'll never get anything from me, however, tell me your plans and then, perhaps I'll tell you something."

Zakharov looked a bit more than mildly annoyed as he responded to Bondt, "What do you take me for- an idiot."

"No," Bondt scornfully replied, "I take you for a prize idiot."

Zakharov looking shocked, ordered Zwiziaona, who was leaning on the wall for lack of a walker (well he was over 100), to take the man known as Bondt to his cell, as Zakharov had no further use for him.

Zwiziaona replied, with loss of breath, "Sorry, I can't do that Prokhor." Then promptly collapsed in a heap.

Bondt stared at the man and then leapt to his feet and began to strangle Zakharov with the chains tied around his wrists.

"Gworurikaksa" Zakharov mumbled, causing Bondt to quit applying pressure and ask "What did you say?" Zakharov responded by way of picking up a 'Smartest Person in the Galaxy' award that was given to him by the Association of People who are Stupendously Smart (AoPwaSS), and bashing Bondt several times over the head with it.

When he had bludgeoned Bondt to the ground, he pressed a button and called, "Room
Service, you may want to pick up a possibly dead Peacekeeper Probe Team leader from the floor
of my office." Zakharov soon left, stepping over Bondt's and then Zwiziaona's bodies to go to a meeting to make a speech about his new book-

"Why I am Smarter than You"

They responded to the order quickly and promptly, however, they picked up the wrong person; and took a nearly-dead Zwiziaona (The man formerly known as The Man Formerly Known as The Symbol Known As "Prince") to the underground torture chambers.

Thus, six hours later Tim Bondt awoke from the **** carpeted floor of Prokhor Zakharov's office with a splitting headache. However, he still managed to make a passing joke "Bloody red blood." he said cynically. Then he headed over to Zakharov's desk and rifled through his drawers until he found what he had come for. "This will fetch a pretty penny." He thought and headed out of Zakharov's office into the hall where he was confronted by an armored security guard who grunted out "Hey-You-Where-You-Go-Give Password-To-Go." Bondt thought, 'Well, it would make sense for the University to make the stupider people security guards, since they have no concern for safety, only research.'

He answered the guard quickly "Where I am going does not concern you and why should
I give the password to you, YOU may be a member of a probe team which only wants to know
the password so they can further infiltrate this base, so tell me WHY I shouldn't report YOU?"
"Uhhhhh...." The security guard began while pondering this response. "You can pass." He
said and then wandered away scratching his head. "Stupid idiot." Bondt thought as he
watched the guard walk away, then he was struck down flat by the opening of an office door.

"Yes Ida, I will have the data on Planetary Mindworms in a few weeks, if you would
be so kind to leave me alone for the next few days, it may even be done sooner..." The man's
voice trailed off as he saw the sprawled body of Tim Bondt lying on the marble flooring.

He immediately ran off screaming for the nearest doctor to show himself, while the
woman, Ida calmly walked down the hallway and pushed the "Call Doctor" button.

Within a few hours Tim Bondt was inside a hospital, where, once he was conscious
the doctors pounced upon him asking if he had insurance of any kind and if so would he
be so kind to show it. He told them no and that he needed no hospital assistance. However,
the second part of his sentence was not needed as within seconds the doctors had forcibly
pushed him out the first-story window of the hospital.

He stood at the bottom of the hospital, stunned, while doctors began to string
arrows in the operating room where he had been laying, and, rather than stick around
and find out just what was going to be the target, he began to run. (Yes, he was completely
healed, strange to believe, but, hey, he's a Probe Team Leader.)

It took him a few minutes to reach a safe hiding place, behind a bar, however, he
soon found that it was not so safe, as seconds upon reaching the place, a bakers dozen of
burly looking thugs descended upon him with baseball bats uttering words not printable in this
publication and asking for his "dough" or money as those of you not acquainted with slang
should interpret this as.

So, Bondt sprang in to action, acting upon his training in the martial arts. Well, to
spare you all the bloody details, hours later, Bondt was once again lying in a hospital bed,
until one doctor recognized him as the 'idiot with no insurance' So, after a rude awakening,
he was once again dropped out of the hospital window.

When he hit the ground he checked his pockets and found the documents were missing,
the secret unit movement orders from Prokhor Zakharov were MISSING!! He knew that he was done
for unless he could get those papers back, but he didn't know where to start looking, and,
he wasn't feeling all that well anyway.



Chapter II "What Dreams May Come"
(Otherwise known as the Prison Chapter)
(Otherwise known as the Strange Dream of the Bakers Dozen)
Decurn 17 Day 1
--------------------------------

That night, lying outside of the "Prokhor Zakharov's Sister’s Memorial Hospital"
Bondt had a very interesting dream about a Grinch and how he aspired to steal Christmas, but that is not the dream which we are about to discuss, it is the dream which the bakers dozen of thugs who beat up Bondt had the night of their crime.

Their dream began with a pixie figure of Prokhor Zakharov (Authors Note: This is just plain Disgusting and Wrong!) speaking to them about the papers which they had stolen from the weakling of a person 'Tim Bondt'. He told them that they were to deliver the papers, which none of them had read, (makes sense, they were all illiterate, otherwise they would be in a lab right now instead of turning to crime) Well, back to the start, he, Zakharov Pixie 1, told them that the papers which they had stolen, should be returned immediately to Prokhor Zakharov.

Soon after completing the dream they woke up and discussed amongst themselves what to do with the papers.

Chapter (II 2/5) "Unforgiven"
(Zwiziaona's Harsh Tale)

"I tell you," Chief Advisor in Musical and other Interesting Affairs Zwiziaona began,
"I am NOT Tim Bondt, you only have to call Prokhor Zakharov to find that out!"
"Sure, sure," a darkly dressed jailer told him- "And I'm Commissioner Lal from Pansy Land"
"Well," Zwiziaona began, "You surely have his character quite right."
The man then whipped him with an electronic whip and screamed, "Quiet!"

"I have been told to torture you, but since you just had a heart-attack, I have to wait ten days. Thus, I require you not to bother me, thus you shall not be allowed to speak."
"Ahhh, yes, the ten day waiting period." Zwiziaona began, "Ingenious of me to initiate it when I was Zakharov's chief advisor, no?"
"Shut up!" His captor rudely screamed at him, then retreated to a corner and brooded.

-To be continued in "Forgiven"

Chapter (II 3/5) "Blazing Saddles"
(Zakharov is Raging Mad)

"He did WHAT! " Zakharov screamed at the security guard.

"Well," the nervous guard began, staring at his newly shined shoes, "he passed by me-I-Think." The guard stepped back, awed at the anger of his Superior.
Zakharov then screamed at the jailer "Well then who the H@(% Is in the jail!"
The jailer then replied "Well, sir, I- really do not know." He paused, "Would you like me
to find out?" "Yes I would like you to #*#&$(% FIND OUT!" Zakharov screamed at him,

"Now BEGONE!" While exiting, the guard ran into a hurried youngster who carried a message.

The youngster pushed past him and ran up to Prokhor Zakharov, rudely interrupting
him in the midst of a conversation with the guard. "SIR ZAKHAROV SIR. I HAVE NEWS SIR.
SIR NEWS SIR IS DEIDRE IS INTENT UPON MARRYING LAL SIR!" Zakharov dismissed him with a
wave of his hand then went back to speaking with the guard. Seconds passed.

"SHE IS WHAT!" He roared, realizing the complications that would arise soon as a result of the marriage.

Chapter (II 4/5) "Forgiven"
(Zwiziaona is 'saved' from life in prison)

"Imhoteb! Free that prisoner so we can bring him up to Zakharov!" The head jailer yelled at Imhoteb, the jailer who was watching over Zwiziaona. "Yes sir."

He replied and undid Zwiziaona's manacles only to find- a lifeless body. The head jailer gaped open-mouthed and uttered the words. "That man is the Academian's personal advisor."

(Narration: And so Zwiziaona sat FORGIVEN for a crime which he did not commit, however
the fate of the jailer is shrouded in mystery as he disappeared shortly after the fiasco,
supposedly to join a suicide-squad readying to infiltrate the Hive. Little else is known.)

Chapter (II 5/5) "What You Want"
(The Return of the Battle Plans)

And thus, because of the prophetic dream, the thugs returned the battle plans to Zakharov who cuddled them in his arms protectively while interrogating the thugs about whom they had stolen the plans from.

They then answered carefully that they had stolen them from 'some guy who said his name was 'Bondt, Tim Bondt'.
That was all Zakharov needed to know.



Chapter III "A Connecticut Peacekeeper In Queen Deidre's Court"
(Otherwise Known as The Romantic Chapter)
Decurn 18 Day 5
--------------------------------

And so on the day of the marriage Deidre looked happily upon her subjects and
friends from the other factions on planet. Everyone was there, well, everyone except for
the strange Aliens and Shen-Ji Yang, but that was to be expected.

Zakharov looked surly, dressed in his suit and tie, obviously disgusted at the
concept of a political marriage between two of the most powerful factions. Miriam looked
a bit annoyed at having to attend a secular wedding, but appeared to be enduring it well.
Aki-Zeta-Five looked a bit confused, but that was to be expected, she being a cyborg. Ulrik
seemed distracted, looking about, nervous at the concentration of people. Domani seemed
almost regal, standing in his orange, purple, and red robes. Roze, was, well, being Roze,
she was gathering gossip from the others, at least those who would tolerate her. Cha Dawn
was being reclusive, hiding in a corner of the audience, surrounded by his Sentinel Guards.
Morgan sat talking to Santiago about a possible trade agreement, and Lal, Lal stood in all
his beauty at his tent on the other side of the glen where the marriage was to be performed.
Deidre waved to him and he waved back.

However, all this harmony was about to change.

Chapter (III 2/4) "The Jackal"
(An Attempted Assassination)

The assassin lurked in the shadows of the oak trees readying his Plasma-Sniper Gun.

'This will be a clean shot," he thought, and smiled 'Yang has done well hiring me. He will
get results here and now.' He held his Plasma-Sniper Gun to his shoulders and readied the
eyesight peace. Lal stood completely in the dot, the assassin looked through the viewpiece
and watched Lal wave at his bride-to-be, 'This will be easy' he thought as he squeezed the
trigger.

The bullet traveled at lightning speed across the glen towards Lal's neck until
it hit its mark, a UN Escort Guard who just happened to be the Best Man, and was readying
to escort Lal towards the dais where Lal would be wed. The man crumpled, dead, before Lal,
who ran across the field towards Deidre.

Chaos erupted in the glen, as all of the faction leaders who had been calmly sitting and
standing in their assigned seats panicked to find a place safe from assassins bullets. The
Gaians who had been invited also were going wild, looking for a safe place to hide. The few
security guards at the event then showed themselves and sprayed bullets into the place where
the first shot had come off.

'*@$*!' "Jackal", as the assassin called himself screamed in his mind as his bullet hit
the wrong target. He knew that he would only have a certain amount of time to escape so
he took advantage of that little time, thus, by the time the bullets went searching after him,
he had already climbed into a rover, sans Sniper Gun, and sped off down the highways of
Gaia's Landing.

Within minutes he had several Gaian Police Rovers on his tail, he turned to the right
and attempted to lose them. He then drove up a building wall, not a small task indeed, and
turned around his rover in midair, so that he flipped over the pursuing Police Rovers and
escaped from their dragnet into the sunset.

He headed out into the wild countryside of Gaia's Landing and thought to himself,
"@*#*, Yang will have my head for this unless I do something to make it up to him."

Within a couple of hours The Jackal had his plan

-Continued in The Fugitive

Chapter (III 3/4) "Riot Act"
(A Postponement)

In the hours following the attempted assassination several decisions were made.

1. The wedding was postponed until further notice.

2. All of the faction leaders except for Deidre's good friends, Lal, Miriam, and Roze
left hastily for their own territory.

3. Gaian and Peacekeeper Intelligence had determined the assassin to be "The Jackal", a
freelancer assassin, kidnapper, etc. known to be in the employ of Chancellor Shen-Ji Yang.
Lal, not in a good mood at all, immediately declared war on Yang, as did Deidre, angered
at the attempted assassination of her future husband. Roze joined them, however, Miriam
declined until something more positive than the knowledge that "The Jackal" was in employ
of Yang before attacking, because, as she put it, she would not want to declare war on
someone wrongfully accused. However, the real reason for her non-declaration was she did
not have the resources to take on Yang without being obliterated.

4. Messages were sent out to the other faction leaders to join the Peacekeepers, Gaians,
and Data Angels in the obliteration of the Human Hive.

5. Some returned messages

Prophet Cha-Dawn
"I am sorry that I cannot commit my precious people to your meaningless
war. For Life is Dust and Dust is Life. The life of one does not matter
the life of the whole and of Planet is all that does, for the whole
preserves as Planet will, if proper precautions are taken."

Academian Prokhor Zakharov
"I am sorry that I cannot commit my resources at this time, for I have
... other pressing concerns."

CEO Nwandbwe Morgan
"It is not in the best interests of our economy at this time to cease
trade with Chancellor Shen-Ji Yang. Of course, at such time it does,
we will gladly join you in your war."

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard
"We cannot help at this time. In other words- You're on your own!"

Prime Function Aki Zeta-Five
"If the rewards are reciprocal for our services then we will join you in
conquest."

Colonel Corazon Santiago
-NO RESPONSE

Foreman Domani
-NO RESPONSE

Chapter (III 4/4) "The Fugitive"
(An Explosion of Epic Proportions)

'I WILL succeed' Thought "The Jackal" as he readied the explosives around the
Gaian Hospital- "One With Planet" 'Yang may not be pleased with me, but,' he chuckled
'killing off the sick and wounded of the Gaians will give him many laughs.'

When the explosives were readied he stepped back into his rover and drove off
a couple of blocks and then pushed a button in the rover.

---

Bent steel and flaming wood flew down on the passers-by of "One With Planet"
Hospital, and "The Jackal" smiled in approval of his handiwork, however when exiting
the city and spying a checkpoint manned with at least 10 heavily armed Gaians, his
smile quickly turned to a frown. He revved up his engine and headed toward the blockade...

-To be continued in "Rollercoaster Tycoon"

[DarkCloud]

Chapter IV "Platoon"
(Otherwise Known as The War Chapter)
Decurn 19 Day 1
--------------------------------
--------
Part I.
--------

"MEN" Barked Commander Lars Qod of the University. "TODAY WE WILL BE SETTING OUT ON A GREAT PATRIOTIC DUTY."

He paused and continued softer now, "hopefully your training
will pay off and you will perform admirably on the field as The 5th Fusion Guards of-" His
voice picked up noticeably "ACADEMIAN PROKHOR ZAKHAROV!!" Cheers began to ring out.
"TOGETHER," he paused, as if thinking, "TOGETHER WE SHALL INVADE THE FOOLHARDY PEACKEEPERS AND GAIANS, THUS PREVENTING THEM FROM BECOMING THE ONLY FACTIONS ON PLANET!"

The Fusion Guards threw their hats into the air at the announcement and celebrated.
--------
Part II.
--------

"Hey!" Private Daniels yelled out to his fellow Peacekeepers. "It seems the
University is sending reinforcements!" Cheers broke out as the Peacekeepers ran to meet
the arriving University forces.

There were no cheers when they soon met the full force of the University Fusion Guards.
Within a few minutes the remnants of the 10th Peacekeeper Laser Guards surrendered to the
University forces.

The Peacekeeper Leader, General John Kerenovsky met with Commander Lars Qod to work
out surrender terms in Qod's tent. After a wait of seven hours, he was received. However, his
terms were ignored by Qod who scoffed at the idea of "Safe Passage to UN Headquarters."

Just who were these Peacekepers anyway, the winners? Well they certainly
thought they were. So, just to teach them a lesson, Qod sent them back with a small force,
with the orders that they were to be used as 'test subjects.'

Qod was still thinking of how stupid those #($* Peacekeepers were, when, a
troubled lieutenant pushed his way into his field tent. "Qod sir," he began.

"Yes, well then what is it?" Qod asked.

"Sir," The Lieutenant reported. "Advance scouts have encountered a small unit of Hive
Scout Rovers, outfitted with lasers." Qod cursed.

"Sir, what would you have us do?" The Lieutenant asked. Qod replied with a thought,

"hmmmm.... we have the one-up, yes, but can we win." Then he told the Lieutenant,

"Tell the men to ready for attack."

The Hive forces came upon the University forces like berserkers, they were already
tried in combat and had achieved Elite status after destroying the 1st Gaian Laser Infantry
and the 2nd Gaian Missile Rovers. However, the University faced them like steel, refusing
to bend.

In the end the University was victorious, but they only survived with high losses.
Reinforcements needed to arrive soon, and they would, for Zakharov had sent at least ten other
units into Peacekeeper/Gaian/Hive territory in the same week they left. Until then, they would
have to wait.

Chapter V "Ride of the Valkyries"
(Otherwise Known as The Transition Chapter)
Decurn 19 Day 8
--------------------------------

"What do you mean-destroyed." Chancellor Yang hissed out a deadly statement directed
at his Minister of War Sherman So-Ra Yang. "So General Sherman, are you saying that instead
of razing UN Atlanta Base your forces were destroyed by University forces?"

"Yes sir," General Sherman reported "They caught us by surprise. At that Yang stood
violently up. "No one- and I mean no one catches THE HIVE BY SUPRISE!" He screamed. He then
calmed down and sat in his seat. "Well then," he calmly said "You will just have to destroy
them."

"Yes sir," General Sherman responded, and then shuffled carefully out of the
Chancellors office, afraid of further reprieve.

Chapter (V 2/5) "Roller Coaster Tycoon"
(The Chase)

"The Jackal" hurled his rover at the blockade and destroyed several Gaian rovers
before speeding away. It took the Gaians several seconds to compose themselves and go
rushing off after him, but it was all he needed.

Soon, he was traveling into the Xenofungus far away from the pitiful Gaian police
rovers and far away from any Gaians.

He drove for a couple of hours until, he realized something, he was traveling in
XENOFUNGUS, and it was GAIAN XENOFUNGUS to boot, that meant that there had to be millions of
ravenous mindworms awaiting him as food. Realizing that, he began to increase his rovers
speed and glance down at the energy bar. It seemed that he had only an hour of energy left.

But that was enough, he thought, enough to get him across this desert of Xenofungus, or so
at least he hoped.

-To be continued in "See You Later, Alligator"

Chapter (V 3/5) "Dr. No"
(More Rip-Roaring Laughs)

Bondt, now a fugitive in University Base hid in the shadows brooding. "I must
do something to help Brother Lal in this war, but what? I cannot poison the people,
I cannot instigate rebellion, I cannot..." his voice trailed away as he though of an
idea. "Yes, I can do that." He said aloud.

One hour later he confronted a Lab Tech who was about to enter the Technological
Lab Institute of Academian Prokhor Zakharov (T.I.P.Z.) with the words. "Hello."
The tech then turned around to greet him in the same manner when he was sent flying with
a 'greeting' punch.

A few minutes later, Bondt, decked out in the same lab suit that the tech had been
wearing minutes earlier, and entered the building. He headed directly to the
'Classified Documents' section of the building which he entered and began to look through
file cabinets for the Fusion Laser Technology.

'nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing.' he thought whilst browsing, then he found
what he was looking for- a file labeled "The Fusion Laser", he quickly pocketed it in his
lab suit and quickly left the building, however, while leaving he encountered an enraged
lab tech, the same one he had beat up and stolen the lab clothes from, accompanied by a
couple of grim looking security guards.

"That's him!" The tech screamed out while pointing at Bondt, "That's the fiend
who stole my clothes and punched me!" The guards then brought their fusion lasers to their
shoulders and began to fire.

Bondt began to run away from the angry lab tech and security guards, as he ran he
searched for a hiding place, alas, he thought, there were none. So, while dodging bullets
he ran into the only person he definitely DID NOT want to meet- Academian Prokhor Zakharov.

"What is this?" The Academian yelled out, obviously confused at the sudden
collision between himself and Bondt. As Bondt picked himself off from the floor Zakharov
recognized him, and said "You!" Bondt replied by recognizing Zakharov in turn and yelling
"You!" Then Zakharov screamed out "Stop firing you idiots, I have the spy right here."

However, the guards did not see and did not hear Zakharov so he was forced to
duck back into the room from whence he came. Bondt followed him in, dazed, and was met
with a bludgeoning book titled "The Bludgeoned Butler" Soon, the security guards entered
the room and stopped firing, recognizing Zakharov.

Bondt was carried away to the University Base City Jail, while the files were
returned to the 'Classified Documents' room and locked away.

Chapter (V 4/5) "See You Later Alligator"
(Mindless Morganites and Mindworms)

"The Jackal spied his fuel gauge on the energy scale of the rover; at most he would have 4-6 minutes of coasting over the Xenofungus… Looking in his rear-view mirror he spied a large mindworm boil following his rover. "The Jackal" cursed silently, then looked in the mirror again and cursed more violently, noticing that the mirror read "objects in mirror may be closer than they appear"

However "The Jackal" was prepared for such an encounter, his mind was powerful, he was trained
well, and he had a missile launcher in his cars' trunk.

The boil was destroyed after a short scuffle, however, the boil had communicated
its location to the other mindworms through the use of its psi powers. "The Jackal" had
to traverse through the Xenofungus and escape it as soon as possible and return to Hive
territory.

He looked to the east and saw-- an Alligator? Were his eyes playing tricks on him,
he thought. Maybe the psi attack had got to him. An Alligator All-Terrain Vehicle out here
in the Xenofungus? How could it be?

The ATV was coming towards him at a speed of fifty miles per hour, but when the
driver spied him he slowed down. When the ATV was alongside of the super-assassin known
as "The Jackal" a window was rolled down and the driver asked "The Jackal"
"Hello, where are you going, we can take you there, is that your rover over by the dead
mindworm? Yes? Ohmygosh! We better get out of here, but not before I acquire that carcass,
I've got to show my clients something, or else Morgan Mindworm Tours will go bankrupt. I
can have that carcass, no? I need to perhaps 'lie' to my customers about our abilities,
because even though mindworms are rare, those silly customers are always worrying about
attacks. Oh well, okay?"

"The Jackal" was stunned at this charismatic Morgan entrepreneur. He merely
answered "yes." and was swept away in the ATV after helping the entrepreneur who had
been out hunting mindworms, carry the carcass into the trunk of the ATV where there
was an impressive array of weapons, missile launchers, laser guns, even a laser grenade.

This man was ready for an assault of perhaps a dozen mindworms, but only if he
kept control of his mind, and that was in question.

So after packing the dead mindworm in the ATV they roared off together into
Hive territory where the Morganite man had been setting up the enterprise. While traveling
"The Jackal" thought just how much of an idiot this man could be, Hive people had no use
for recreation. 'but,' he thought 'this man would not believe me even if I told him so,
these Morganites are so headstrong with the thought that everyone is just like them"

Chapter (V 5/5) "One is the Loneliest Number"
(A Chapter about Aliens)

"We must make the Progenitor race one again!" Usurper Judaa Maar began,
"Lular is a complete dolt, Planet is of more use to us as a military base than as a
preserved entity. But, she will pay." He considered his thought and ordered his Commander
of Units- Devvan Loouk "Devvan, ready the Battle Ogre units and the ten Laser Rovers.
We shall destroy the Caretakers for once and for all." He chuckled to himself as the
Commander hurried off to spread the orders amongst the unit commanders.







Part II


Chapter VI "Universite Graffiti"
(Otherwise known as the Comments section of this story)
Year 2045 P.Y. 45
Decurn 19 Day 10
Conversation #1 (Good Morning Vietnam)

“I don’t like the idea of this war.” Commented Senior Researcher Tino Duress to Doctor Pierce Roenay, who replied “I agree with you sir, I will soon be patching up many more bloody bodies, now I’m not really complaining, the money’s good for me but it does get tiring having to endure the same injuries now and again.”

Tino then told him, “What I fear is that I will be drafted and forced to fight in the army. Then I will not be able to continue my research and I will die in war instead of dying in a lab accident, that I could take.”

“Yes,” the Doctor told him “That is truth.” and they went back to eating their lunches in the Cafeteria of Prokhor Zakharov.

Conversation #2 (Wishing and Hoping)

“They have violated our territory, no?” Prophet Cha-Dawn calmly asked his Second-in-Command Dev-Em who replied “Yes sir, the Usurpers have brought into our territory a force of five Battle Ogres, and an undetermined number of Laser Guards.”

“Well then,” the Prophet began “We shall just have to show them who has permission to cross our ‘Holy Land’, dispatch all fifteen Mindworm units and accompany them with three of our best Plasma Sentinels. Pursue the Usurper forces and engage them until they exit our territory.” He put a hand up to his mouth and yawned. “I shall personally contact Judaa Maar and demand a statement for this atrocious invasion of our territory. If he refuses to withdraw his forces, do as I previously said, if, however he does withdraw, escort his units back to his own lands.”

“Yes sir.” Dev-Em replied before bowing deeply and exiting the presence of The Enlightened Prophet Cha-Dawn.

Conversation #3 (It’ll be the Death of Me)

“Yang, sir.” “The Jackal” began, but was hushed by a gesture of Yang’s hand and an angry glance.

“Why is he not dead?” Yang inquired.

“Jackal” swallowed and began to tell his story “Sir,” he began, “his Best Man stepped in between my bullet and his body. Of course, you already know that, sir.” Yang frowned. “Yes, of course,” “Jackal” told him. “After the botched attempt I stole a rover and escaped the city, but, remembering my duty I returned with the explosives which I had strapped to my jacket and set them up around a Gaian Hospital.” “Jackal” chuckled nervously. “All within two blocks of that ‘accident’ are now dead.” Yang pondered his statement for a little then motioned for “Jackal” to go on.

“While fleeing from my project I found the Gaians had set up a road block, but I smashed my way through it, narrowly escaping with my life. I then crossed the Xenofungus only to run out of energy in my rover.” He paused for breath “I then encountered a mindworm, which I defeated and killed. I soon after encountered a Morganite ATV which took me to The Hive.”

Yang thoughtfully questioned “Jackal” “Just what is the name of this Morganite who so pitied you
that he thought to save you?”

“Well,” “Jackal” began “I believe. That his name was Nil Sparr or something like that.”

“Very good.” Yang replied then turned to one of his guards and told him “Kill all Morganite traders in this city.” The guard then rushed out and shouted orders to other soldiers in the hallways. Yang smiled. “So it seems, ‘Jackal’ that your luck has run out. Guard- apprehend that man, he will be shot tomorrow.”

“The Jackal” struggled and pushed and pulled away from the two guards who had descended upon him. He then ran and jumped his way through a window, breaking glass. Soon he was falling 42 stories to his doom.

Conversation #4 (That’ll be the Day)

Lal was not pleased. “Zakharov you Ba#*#($! How DARE you DECLARE WAR ON ME AND DEIDRE! You Will Pay! I will have your HEAD THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD! You FIEND, I bet you’re using my people as lab rats right now.”

Zakharov nimbly replied. “I hope you know, Lal, that is not an atrocity, at least, not in the eyes of the council.” A smile crept across Zakharov’s face while Lal stood steaming, watching Zakharov on the vidscreen while Zakharov continued, “I also hope you know, one faction cannot stand to acquire as much power as yours has. It also seems that you are bent on world domination since you are marrying Deidre, who is a force to be reckoned with, but, between myself and Yang’s help you shall be destroyed. However, I agree with you, Yang should be destroyed, but that will have to wait until I have you in University Base and can ‘interrogate’ you, friend. Zakharov out.”

The screen then went blank and Lal stormed out of his Conference Room to head to his office to plan war.

Conversation #5 (Dream)

“Aki-Zeta-Five reporting.”
“Ah yes Aki, kind of you to receive me.” Deidre began.
“Yes, It was most kind of me.” Aki replied confidently
“Well, yes Aki, I have called you to discuss a most pressing matter.”
“And that is?”
“An attack on Zakharov and Yang.”
“I thought you only had a quarrel with Yang?” Aki asked, obviously baffled
“Events have, changed…” Deidre began
“How so?”
“It is possible that Zakharov was the one behind Lal’s attempted assassination.”
“Oh no!” Aki seemed surprised, ‘strange.’ Deidre thought, ‘I didn’t think Cyborgs could be surprised?’
“What do you wish in return for your services.” Deidre asked.
“All I ask,” Aki pondered for a moment and then started again “All I ask is for 10,000 energy credits so that I can support my army of Laser Rovers and Missile Rovers.”
Deidre bit her lip and replied “Then it is agreed?”
“Yes, it is agreed.” Aki responded.

Conversation #6 (Fried Green Tomatoes)

“Sorry, friend” Roze began, “but I do not have the resources to attack Zakharov openly, although I would be happy to ‘lend’ you a few probe teams and perhaps make some ‘inquiries’ on their computer systems.”

“That should be enough.” Deidre thanked her and then rested, tomorrow would be a big day for her. For the combined forces of the Peacekeepers, Data Angels, Cyborgs, and Gaians were to plan strategy.

Conversation #7 (I Want To Know, Have You Ever Seen the Rain)

“That #*$( Deidre always supposing that she can tell US what to do, I mean it’s not as if she was the one who was going to be murdered!” An annoyed Gaian citizen spat out and was countered with a friends remark

“But Jon, surely you would seek revenge if someone tried to murder your husband-to-be.” His friend waited a while and then chuckled. “Well in your case it would be wife-to-be.”

Jon replied “Who would WANT to marry that lazy, polluting Peacekeeping scum, all we get out of it is a war!”

His friend then screamed at him, “How DARE YOU INSULT OUR LEADER! How DARE YOU INSULT DEIDRE!” His friend then punched Jon across the face, sending him flying backwards. “Hey,” Someone spoke up, “don’t hit him just because he’s questioning the government, this is a DEMOCRACY idiot. If he has an opinion, then he’s entitled to it.”

“Do you just know what his opinion is?” “Yeah,” the man said “his opinion is that Deidre is marrying a real jerk who pollutes Planet and is destroying it at this very moment. And, even though I hate to say it, I agree with him.”

The two then began to fight and were soon joined by their friends from all around the bar. There were chairs flying and blood everywhere when Gaian Riot Police came in to break up the fight, however, very uncharacteristic for the Gaian people, they began to shout at the Riot Police and cuss at them. It seemed that the growing sentiment was Deidre had no business marrying a polluter without the consent of her people, even if it made Gaia stronger in the process.

[DarkCloud]

Part III
-------------------

Chapter VI "The Great Race"
(Otherwise known as the Silly Set Up part of this story
Year 2045 P.Y. 45
Decurn 21 Day 8
(--------------------------------------------------)
Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3029

“… Massive energy deposit discovered between borders of Hive/ University/ Peacekeeper territory. Troops rush to defend bases and conquer land.”

104.45.3030
“… War has been declared on the disgusting Shen-Ji Yang of the Hive after a mass massacre of Morganites in his territory, the list of the dead and dying follows…”

104.45.3072
“… Secret transmission intercepted, Zakharov’s forces move toward energy deposit with zeal. They will most likely encounter the two laser squads of the fiendish Hive forces within a few days…”



Chapter (VII 2/10) “Ghostbusters”
(Datatech Dataprobe Destinies)

Lead Dataprobe ‘Dark Cloud’ of ‘The Ghostbusters’ Probe Team led his team of twenty five through the swamps of Pirate territory. They had landed, uneventfully in Pirate territory on the peninsula that contained the University headquarters. However, even though they had been unharrassed by the Pirates so far, it did not mean that their good fortune would continue.

They sulked through the jungle cutting at the vines and cursing at the ‘curse burrs’ that had gotten entangled in their socks. No, you didn’t hear me wrong, they were cursing at the ‘curse burrs’, you see, it seems that these particular seeds would come detached when a loud noise occurred, it seems the sound waves would trigger the burrs to come detached. However, the phenomena remains as yet mostly unexplained. (BUY THE BOOK (Mindworms and Curse Burrs) from Morgan Electronic Books Inc. for 2 energy credits today.)

While traversing through the swamp ‘Dark Cloud’ did some thinking. ‘Just who was this ‘Roze’ ordering him- the great Dataprobe Dark Cloud to accomplish such a menial and degrading task as stealing the documents for Fusion Guards technology from the University to GIVE, yes GIVE to another faction for free. It was preposterous, yet ‘Dark Cloud’ would do his job, and perhaps pocket a pretty penny on a scam or two on the way.

-To Be Continued in Ghostbusters II

Chapter (VII 3/10) “Come, Follow Me-I'm the Pied Piper”
(A Zakharov © Conference)

“Men.” Zakharov began gravelly whilst talking to his Council of Military Advisors. “We MUST capture this energy deposit.” He pointed with a pointer-stick to a drawing on a map which he had in a corner of the conference room. “I have already gathered four of our units, including the bold 5th Fusion Guards and sent them to this position.” He cleared his throat with a gulp of water. “However, we also need to defend our bases from invasion by the Peacekeepers and Hive. Any ideas?”

“Perhaps we should surrender.” One person began.

Zakharov, looking shocked, turned to his new second-in-command officer, Don Darden and asked him, “Who is that man?” Darden replied “An *******” “I already that!” Zakharov disgustedly told him. Darden then responded, “Sorry sir if I wasn’t being clear, that’s his name, Major Max *******.” “Oh,” Zakharov responded. “In that case, demote that man.” “Yes sir.” Darden responded promptly and then went over to tell Major ******* the news. “Sir, unless you heard the news earlier…”

He began but was met with a punch in the mouth. “I know that you idiot!” Major ******* told him, “You two were speaking loud enough for the whole #*$&& conference room to hear. And for that, I’ll have my revenge!” With that he left the room rudely and then slammed the door behind him.

On the other side of the Conference Room Major ******* went sprawling as he quickly walked out of the room, for, as he found out whilst lying on the ground, the marble flooring had recently been waxed. As he read the sign ‘Careful. Newly waxed floor’ he plotted how to have his revenge.

Meanwhile, in the Conference Room the ideas of the military advisors were largely rejected by Zakharov until they had decided upon a plan which everyone approved of.

The plan was simple, the fusion guards would take position atop of a hill or other high ground and beat the #($* out of anyone who dared oppose them. It was the best military idea of the century, or so they thought. (Note: Never let researchers plan a war.)

Zakharov was the first to leave and was met with a very unceremonial bucket of water thrown at him by Major ******* who exclaimed. “Take away MY pride will you. Well you’ve got yours!! HAHAHAHAHHAHAH.”

Darden immediately stepped up to Zakharov and asked him, “do you want that man shot sir?” Zakharov responded coolly “yes.” That response caused Major ******* to go screaming down the hall to escape the bullet while Zakharov joked, “Now how did that mentally-unstable person get on my military review board?” “Oh.” Darden replied “Zwiziaona hired him, he was his great-great nephew.”

“Well,” Zakharov said. “I can see why he changed his name to just plain ‘Prince’ when he was a recording artist, otherwise he may not have succeeded, I mean can you see yourself listening to a song written by ‘Prince *******’?” Zakharov then broke into laughter.

Chapter (VII 4/10) “Apocalypse NOW”
(A Disgusting War Chapter Starring: Marlon Brando)
-------
Part I
-------

“General Brando.” The young Hive officer began. “Shut up.” Brando replied. “Yes sir.” The officer replied. And they stood there like that for a while until Brando cracked “Well what the #$#* were you going to tell me soldier!”

“Ahhh.. Yes the Hive officer began. Two of your units the 16th Laser Guards and 4th Laser Rovers were destroyed by a unit we believe is calling itself the 5th University Fusion Guards.” Brando chewed on his cigarette “We NEED that technology.” “Yes.” The officer answered. “Shut up.” Brando replied. “Yes sir.” The officer replied.

“You sure are a boring soldier, kid.” Brando told the young officer. “Yes sir.” The officer answered. Brando then began to strangle him, but quit when he thought better of it. “My gosh.” he said, “I must be going crazy just like my great-great grandfather did in the movie Apocalypse Now.” “The what?” The officer asked.

“Don’t you young kids watch holovids?” Brando asked

“Sorry sir, I didn’t, I was brought up in the Superior Warrior Apprentice Program (SWAP), I was born in Sparta and traded here when I was 15 in an officer exchange. In Sparta we don’t believe in holovid movies, our major form of entertainment is ‘beat up and perhaps kill your friends.’”

Brando stood blankly “Sorry kid, you’re losing me.” He told him and then went into his tent and began to scream his head off.

-------
Part II
-------

“Sir.” The Lieutenant reported. “Yes.” Commander Lars Qod replied. “We have good news to report. We are about to receive four new Fusion Guard units. Qod stood thankful “Hopefully they will arrive before that Peacekeeper unit of Missile Rovers arrives.”

-------
Part III
-------

The University unit stood victorious surrounded by the dead of the 1st Peacekeeper Missile Rover Unit. “Well,” Qod began speaking to the combined commanders of the 1st-4th University Fusion Guards. “Thank you for coming, but you were too late, however I believe that we should combine our forces for a full frontal assault on UN Lands. However, we should hold back a reserve unit to defend our borders here, how about your 1st Fusion Guards, Davion?”

Victor Davion leader of the 1st Fusion Guards looked downcast. “Well, since you are in command here, Qod, I believe that I will agree with you.”

“Good then,” Qod smiled, “all is agreed, we leave tomorrow for University Lands.”

Chapter (VII 5/10) “Papillion”
(Execution)

“All ye gathered here…” Chairman Shen-Ji Yang began “Have come to witness the execution of a traitor to your nation.” “This man,” he said with extreme disgust “failed to realize the threat University forces posed and will now pay for it so I will now give the order to execute him.”

And with that General Sherman So-Ra was executed.

Chapter (VII 6/10) “La Bamba”
(Cult/Usurper Conflict)

“So they dare invade our territory.” Colonel Isum Kara-Lan spat. “And for that the Usurpers will die. Come fellow Plasma Sentinels and follow me and the Mindworms to victory.”

At that battle cry the units of Plasma Sentinels and Mindworms raged out to attack the Alien Usurper Battle Ogres and Laser Rovers. The resounding ‘crack’ when the two forces met was of a force great enough to shatter the earth.

Usurper units went down at first quickly succumbing to the Mindworms. However they soon rallied and destroyed a great number of Mindworms, but not before losing all of their Battle Ogres, but luckily the Usurper Commander sent a short transmission back to Judaa Maar telling of his defeat and asking for reinforcements.

Yet, the Usurpers were not done yet, they rigged explosives to the underbellies of their rovers and thus destroyed the combined forces of Mindworms and Plasma Sentinels, but in the process they committed an atrocity. And just to note, no one really liked the Usurpers very much anyway.

The Morganites immediately, upon receiving word of the atrocity, rendered economic sanctions on the Usurpers as did the other factions, but none dared declare war for the Usurpers were far too powerful to be defeated easily.

This atrocity did have one important repercussion for, because of it the Caretakers readied their units, now knowing of the threatened invasion of their land and began to march through Free Drone territory.

In that way the complete army of the Cult was destroyed and the Usurpers had but one unit left. Usurper High Command soon readied a second invasion force and equipped them with Resonance Armor and Lasers. These battle rovers were then dubbed R-Laser Rovers and began their long trek through Cult
territory.

However, Cha-Dawn was disgusted and outraged at the atrocity and screamed for blood. He readied four mindworm boil units which had been held in reserve from the last assault and two Laser Guards for war. He was also producing many more Laser Guards and attempting to recruit more mindworms as the battles elsewhere raged on…

Chapter (VII 7/10) “Rescue Me”
(Morganite News Network Newslink)

Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3125

“… War, destruction, etc, Morgan Planetariums destroyed by Hive forces. It is advised for one not to panic, as our stock exchange is safe… I repeat the stock exchange will be operable throughout this disaster. And for those of you interested, we will start a new stock entitled Morganite Drafted Forces, all those drafted will receive a certain percentage of the stock so sign up today- those who sign up get more stock than those who are drafted.”

Chapter (VII 8/10) “And the Band Played On”
(The Continued Adventures of the ‘The Jackal’)

“Ha” ‘The Jackal’ mused “I have escaped him and he is none the wiser.”

‘The Jackal’ had seemingly plummeted to his doom, but, since he expected that something such as that might happen, had installed gliding wings in his coat, of course it made his coat much heavier and he had a hard time getting past the titanium detectors at the entrance to Yang’s offices, but it was worth it.

“Now,” he thought, “Where can I go to?” He considered heading towards the University bases but decided that it would be too risky, Zakharov had a very low opinion of Probe Spies of any kind. Then he considered the Spartans but rejected that idea too. The Spartans were too warlike and were allied with the Hive. Then he thought of the one faction which would support him!

The Drones, the Free Drones would be his saviors. Domani the manipulator, Domani the cruel. Domani could use an assassin such as he. Domani had many enemies and he must wish them dead. Yes ‘The Jackal’ grinned as he glided hundreds of feet above the ground ‘Domani would be the one who would accept him.’ Now all he had to do was fly the thousands of miles to Free Drone Territory, but, since he had an engine installed in his pants, he knew he could make it there. It was just a matter of time.

Chapter (VII 9/10) “I Went Through the Desert on a Horse with No Name”
(Caretaker Chronicles)

“Usurpers: Pay for atrocity against Cult: atrocity against planet: holes in planet’s skin: disruption of atmosphere because of war: War will destroy, but war will solve: Battle Ogres, Mindworms, and Laser Rovers will head through Drone Territory: Drones: Angered ?: Most Probably: Necessary: Yes.”

Chapter (VII 10/10) “What Lies Beneath”
(Domani Destruction)

“Mobilize forces 1:2 through 2:17 for immediate deploy near Caretaker border, Zak, for it seems that we have been betrayed by the evil Caretakers.”

“Yes sir,” Drone Zak D. replied and rushed off to do his duty to his leader and his country.

Domani then hit the vidscreen button and composed a super-burst message to the other factions.
“In times like these, when an alien faction attacks, it is in the best interest of all of us to destroy the offending aliens, so I ask you, the other factions to come help me and my people defend our lands against this menace.”

Responses were largely negative (a few samples):

Lady Deidre of the Gaians:
“It’s just too bad that you didn’t help us, otherwise we would have sent help but it seems that the only people you care for is yourselves so don’t bother to come running to me or the Peacekeepers.”

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard:
“If money or property is involved count us in.”

The only positive response, Ulrik’s was followed through with a ‘gift’ of two drone sea bases to the Pirates. Domani was not proud of the outcome of his plea, but he had acquired at least one ally.

[DarkCloud]

---------
Part IV
---------

Chapter VIII "It's a Mad,Mad,Mad,Mad World"
(Otherwise known as the Maddest section of this story)
Year 2045 P.Y. 45
Decurn 21 Day 2
---------------------------------------
Ghostbusters II

(Part I)

Dataprobe Dark Cloud heard a muffled scream coming from somewhere below so he looked down. What he saw as a steel grating looked a lot like a sewer grating, but, against all reason and purpose, a voice was coming from there. He held up a hand bidding the members of his Probe team to stop.

Dark Cloud bid the speaker speak up and began to hear some of what the speaker was attempting to say.
“The Name is------ Bondt-----Tim-----Bondt-----Peacekeeper-------Probe-------Captured-----Save-----Direct----You----to------technology-----door-----around-----corner-----dispose of 1 jailer.-------thank------you----kind---sir.”

Cloud pondered this for a moment and then whispered to the other members of his team.
“Five of you will come with me, five of you will wait here and come running if it seems we are having trouble. While the other fourteen of you will split up and search the city news of where the “Fusion” documents are hidden. We will meet outside of the city in 15 hours. Those not there will be left behind. Is all understood?”

The many nods following his announcement showed their approval of the plan, and they soon left on their ways to discover where the Fusion Technology might be.

Dark Cloud then led his team towards the entrance of the place where Bondt had been kept. He knocked on the door and was answered with a rude “If yer not Zakharov or a Scientist then yer not allowed in.” Cloud then attempted to put some arrogance in his voice and answered.

“Sir if you don’t open the bloody door then I will report you to University Police for delaying a Master Researcher the access to a Psychological Test Subject.” He paused, considering what to say next. “I will be bringing five of my research team with me as well.”

The man on the other side of the door pondered the threat for a minute and then, believing it to be real, allowed the Probe Team in. He then asked them “So yer doing more with your Social Psych Experiments no?”

Dark Cloud replied “yes, we are investigating the effects of stress on Peacekeeper Probe Team members.” The man then laughed “ha! That man in there is complete scum. I doubt he would answer any questions you posed and even then that his answers would be right, all I can get out of him is that he is Bondt, Tim Bondt, member of His Eminence, Brother Lal’s Secret Probe Teams! And didja hear?” The congenial jailer went on “He’s the one who almost made off with the “Fusion Guard” technology, he’s the jerk who tried that, but he got his, he ran into Zakharov who bludgeoned him a couple of times. And did you-“

The jailer then broke off because a member of Dark Cloud’s probe team had bludgeoned him. They then set upon the task of freeing Bondt from his bondage. Dark Cloud questioned Bondt to determine where the technology was kept and Bondt answered.

“Well, when I was there the technology was kept in a room titled ‘Classified Documents’ in the T.I.P.Z. Institute. I will lead you there, but after my failure Zakharov supposedly locked up the room.”

Dark Cloud grimaced, this was not going to be as easy as he had once thought. However, they had brought glass cutters, metal cutters, and explosives, so they were going to break in, even if it killed them.
… … … … … … … … … … … (Time Passes)… … … … … … … … … … … ……

Standing before the T.I.P.Z. Institute Dark Cloud conversed with Bondt. Before too long they had a plan. Cloud ripped open his backpack and retrieved a canisters that looked remarkably like a thermos. It was labeled T. H. E. R. M. O. S. which stood for Thermonuclear (THERMO) Sleep-Potion (S).

He detonated it and threw it inside of the Labs, then Cloud, Bondt and ten remaining Probe Team members put on their gas masks and entered the building. No one stirred, however, they knew that was not the truth, as, because of closed doors and open windows there was a possibility that over half of the building was still awake and not doused with the Sleep-Potion.

They worked fast. Bondt led Cloud and five other Probes to the area where the classified documents were being kept while the remaining five probes covered their backs.

They blasted their way in and began to sort through the mess which the room had become. Soon they heard creaking and jumped out the windows of the room as the room above the Classified Documents room collapsed and fell through the ceiling.

Dark Cloud bit his lip and attempted to determine where the documents could be kept. Meanwhile, Bondt was already searching in the wreckage and soon found the documents. He yelled out “Hey I got them” just as fusion lasers wound their way around the corner and they were attacked by a squad of Fusion Guards.

Bondt fell to the ground and threw the documents to Dark Cloud who ran with them. A few minutes later Bondt joined him after evading the Fusion Guards and they began to run towards the center of University Base throwing the documents between themselves and shouting. “No- YOU be the decoy!” and “No-YOU run with the *#(*$@ papers!”

The solution to their problems was decided when they came across Provost Zakharov entering a rover. “Hey-You!” Bondt yelled out. To which Zakharov replied “Not YOU!” At that Bondt smiled and pulled out a Laser Gun and screamed for all five people who had come to see Zakharov out. “NOBODY MOVE OR WE SHOOT!”

The bystanders backed off at that announcement which allowed Bondt and Cloud to take Zakharov hostage in the rover. Bondt held the gun to Zakharov’s head while Cloud disposed of the driver and began to escape.

Zakharov drolly told them “I hope you aren’t taking me too far, I have a speech to give at the National Institute for the Excessively Smart on how to clone yourself or a friend if you so wish.”

“Oh, don’t worry.” Bondt soothingly told Zakharov, “we’ll drop you off when we get to the border, but not before I bludgeon you!” Bondt then began to hit Zakharov repeatedly over the head with his Laser Gun, but all was in vain as Zakharov picked up Bondt’s seatbelt and began hitting him with the metal belt.

Bondt soon dropped the gun and began to shield himself from the belt.

‘Funny.’ Dark Cloud soon thought out loud ‘I don’t see anyone following us, do they not care for their leader.’ Zakharov then replied “Are you daft, this is the University, not Sparta, we don’t have a standing militia in case of kidnapping. How much are you going to ransom me for?”

“Well,” Dark Cloud began. “We won’t be doing that, in fact, since no one is pursuing us, I’ll drop you off here.” “No!” Bondt exclaimed “Kill him it will solve the Peacekeepers problems.” Zakharov then turned to him as the pulled up to a curve “I really doubt that Bondt, in fact it will only cause my people to fight harder.” Dark Cloud responded “Yes, that’s exactly what I determined.”

Zakharov then got out of the car and headed off towards his conference, however, before going there he walked up to a Police Officer and reported his kidnapping. Within seconds the rover was being pursued by a Police Rover.

However, the Police Rover was soon lost by a quick series of twists and turns near the University Garbage Recycling Pits. It seems that Police Rovers are not all that maneuverable, or at least the one that was chasing them, for, the Rover soon lay in a pile of wrecked cars after not turning quickly enough.

Eventually Dark Cloud and Bondt arrived at the scheduled meeting place and ditched their rover only to find no one was there, however, since the time was only 1300 it was unlikely that any Probe member would have found their way back there. So they waited for a while, watching the T.I.P.Z. Labs collapse as support after support gave way.

The University would have a hard time recovering from this attack. Dark Cloud thought.

(Part II)

The seven probe members stood silent on the barge that was carrying them away, glad that their mission had been accomplished, but sad for the lost members of their team who had perished in the course of their mission.

However, a Pirate Ship arriving and bombarding their modest sail barge soon interrupted this quiet time. Dark Cloud sent off a short energy-message burst before they boarded, informing Roze of their plight

The pirates questioned and searched the Probe Members and recovered the ‘Fusion’ technology. After having accomplished that they threw the Probe Members in a holding pen/ prison until they could determine what to do with them.
Chapter (VIII 2/12) “Let it be”
(War Comes In A Sad Voice)
--------------------------------------------------
“What did you say?” Roze questioned.
“The Probe Team which you sent to University territory has been captured by the Pirates upon accomplishing their mission.”

“Blast.” Roze cursed. “Well then, it is war unless they return the prisoners or technology and that will not happen.”
Chapter (VIII 3/12) “The Perfect Soldier”
(Spartan Surprise)
--------------------------------------------------

He was created in the Genetic Cloning Vats after the genome was unraveled and the great project was built. He was the man who had been created and his name was- Hercules Terminator. He was named after the two greatest mythological strongmen in history. Both of whom had turned from evil to good.

He had already completed his seven tasks in the trials for demigodhood. This was to be his eighth, he would lead an army to attack the foul University Fusion Soldiers who held Hive lands. He was the Macintosh Man of the 22nd Century. He was the Spartacus of the Spartans and he was the Achillies Heel in the University.

The genetically cloned army traversed the mountains of Hive territory and soon encountered University troops, the Fusion troops were no match for Hercules Terminator and his men. They were routed and Hercules Terminator was said to have roared loud enough so the sky fell down around Morgan Electronics, actually what had really done that was the high levels of pollution and the sky really didn’t come down it was just a momentary failure of the ozone layer.

Chapter VIII 4/12 “Crocodile Rock ”
(Cult and Drones on their Home Turf)
(--------------------------------------------)

“This war is disgusting.” Domani commented as he observed the Caretaker troops chewing up his forces. “I believe that I am going to be forced to withdraw my forces.”

Cha-Dawn then told him “Never mind, we shall destroy their forces when they meet at the borders of our lands and then we will be able to capture their capitals.

“Yes,” Domani agreed. “I shall withdraw my people.” “Oh,” Domani remembered something “How would feel about having one of their leaders assassinated?” Cha-Dawn looked confused and then smiled and realized what Domani was speaking about. “Ahhh, yes.” he said, “I would agree in full.”

“Well then,” Domani cruelly smiled “I believe this conversation is done.” The vidscreen then went blank and Domani returned to his ruling chair.

Part V-

Chapter VIII 5/12 “Dance to the Music”
(Gaian Woes)
(--------------------------------------------)
“Deidre.” Santiago began. “Poor, poor, poor little Deidre first he husband-to-be is almost murdered and then she has to go get herself into a petty little war, first with the Hive and second with the University. Poor, poor little Deidre.”

Deidre then became extremely angered and spat out at Santiago “What is your point you old biddy.”

“Well,” Santiago began, seemingly cowed “I would have told you but now you will just have to find out for yourself, oh, never mind, I’m bad at keeping secrets. The fact is, Deidre, I have declared war on you. You will soon see that this is in the best interests of all, for, once Yang and Myself are overlords of all then we will live in a perfect society.


“How… How could you!?” Deidre questioned, largely surprised by the sudden turn of events. Santiago then replied “You see child, some things just have to be.” With that the vidscreen went blank and Deidre was left staring at a blank screen. She suddenly lost her temper and her control and hurled a marble statuette through the screen in a fit of madness. Then she pressed a button and called for her aide. The troops would have to be alerted

Chapter VIII 6/12 “Planet of the Apes”
(Assassination)
------------------------------------------------

“Gun reading. 24.16.302. Target confirmed. Distance 130 yards. Shot accuracy 65%. Movement Percentage? 13%. Revised shot accuracy, 73%. Shooting confirmation. Confirmed.” ‘The Jackal’ readied his laser gun at his shoulder and readied himself to take off a shot at the Caretaker leader, Lular H’minee. With the death of Lular, the Caretaker attack would be fragmented, and would allow the Usurpers to plow through the Caretaker units. However, after the short-lived victory, the Drone and Cult units would sweep down upon the halved army of the Usurpers and destroy all those units which remained. After that, it was just a matter of time before the remaining aliens would be killed or enslaved by victorious Cultists and Drones.

The shot was a clean one. Lular was strung up whilst making a speech, the troops around her were thrown into disarray and began to search for the assailant. But ‘The Jackal’ would not be found, for he could melt away into the night easily and evade the life-sensor readings.

Chapter VIII 7/12 “And the Beat Goes On”
(Morgan Industries Recovered)
------------------------------------------------
Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3201

Morgan Industries was vacated today as Hive Laser Rover units rolled in and destroyed the main stock exchange. An estimated 1.3 million in private energy credits was stolen by the Hive Rovers, but thanks to the valiant efforts of a one, Judas Perihelion the Hive’s victory was short-lived. For, it seems that Mr. Perihelion had stayed behind in the stock exchange with a couple hundred of other stock-jockeys to protect their holdings.

Mr. Perihelion had acquired a large amount of explosives, and, rather than let the evil Hive forces acquire the energy credits, he blew himself up along with the majority of the energy credits mere minutes after the Hive forces marched into Morgan Industries.

This explosion has allowed the several units of Morganite Plasma Garrison to retake Morgan Industries and reinstall the stock exchange with the memory cards taken moments before the evacuation of the state of the stocks.

It is believed that all Hive units stationed in Morganite territory were destroyed in the explosion except for one Laser Rover which will not last long as CEO Morgan has ordered five Plasma Garrisons to attack the rover. It seems fellow Morganites that we have won the war.

Chapter VIII 8/12 “Down in the Boondocks”
(Hive Forces Defeated)
------------------------------------------------

“Retreat!” Yelled the Hive Laser Rover Commander as they were overwhelmed by four Plasma Garrisons. However his order was ignored and not carried out as there was nowhere to run for the Morganites had surrounded his unit on all sides. However, the commander decided to make the best of a bad situation and had his men fight to the death.

Soon, the inevitable defeat loomed large as with still one unit of Morganite Plasma Garrisons left to fight, and the fact that the unit was fresh as it was a reserve, the Hive forces only retained ten percent of their original numbers.

With that despicable number looming above Hive Laser Rover Commander Juion Junkhan’s head, he called for a truce and negotiated a complete surrender of Hive forces.

Chapter VIII 9/12 “No Particular Place to Go”
(C.Y.B.O.R.G.S.)
------------------------------------------------

“The Cyborg Units swept down out of the north and destroyed Sparta Colony #1, Colonel.” Lieutenant Johns Jackson reported to his superior commander, Colonel Corazon Santiago.

“That mistake will have to be answered for.” Colonel Santiago looked deeply annoyed as she picked up a sharp dagger and admired it.

“Yes sir.” The soldier reported.

“Well, is there anything else Lieutenant?” Santiago asked Johns.

“No, sir, except this, the Cyborg commander issued a challenge, stating that if the price was high enough, Aki would call off the attack.”

“So she wants payment…” Santiago thought “Well, shell get paid, in full, especially when the new genetically soldiers of mine come on line.” Santiago then remembered the Lieutenant and dismissed him with a wave of her hand “You are dismissed.”

He saluted and then exited.

Chapter VIII 10/12 “Good Golly Miss Molly”
(A Disgusted Zakharov)
------------------------------------------------

“So… we have lost fusion tech documents.” Provost Zakharov began.
“Yes sir.” Don Darden replied.
“And these documents, any idea on who has taken them?”
“It seems,” Darden began cautiously “It seems that the Pirates have taken them and are now raiding Caretaker lands with ‘new’ Fusion Rovers and Fusion Guards.
“Well then,” Zakharov dictated “It will be war.”
“Yes sir.” Darden replied and noted the dictation on a piece of paper.

Chapter VIII 11/12 "Listen to the Music”
(A Deal of Epic Proportions)
------------------------------------------------

“So you see, Chairman Yang.” Commander Ulrik Svensgaard began. “You would greatly benefit from the new technology of Fusion.”
“So it would seem.” Yang replied.
“Yes, well the price is ridiculously low as you agree, no?” Ulrik asked
Yang sighed and replied “So it would seem.” He looked pained as he said the next few words “And I so grant you half of my treasury, or 1600 energy credits as it would be.
“Ahh, then it is agreed.” Ulrik looked smug
“It is agreed.” Yang sighed, however he knew that the Fusion technology would be greatly beneficial to his cause.”

Chapter VIII 12/12 “Just One of Life’s Little Tragedies”
(Viva La Revolution!)
------------------------------------------------

‘We ARE FINALLY going to be married.’ Deidre thought longingly, and rightly so as the last attempted marriage ended in the death of one near to both her and her husband-to-be. The death had also postponed their marriage for four decurns.

However her positive thinking was soon interrupted because as soon as she was ready to walk down the aisle she was informed of rioting. “Rioting?” she asked and the messenger who had told her replied “Yes, you heard me right, the people seem to think you should not marry Lal. They seem to think he kills mindworms for sport and destroys Planet as we speak.”

“But, but,” Deidre replied. “He does none of those things, who could have planted such lies.”
“I believe, mistress.” The messenger replied “That you would be best advised to put off the wedding until such a time as there is no rioting.” “NO!” Deidre screamed “THE WEDDING WILL GO ON!” “Yes, ma’am” The messenger replied and exited out of the tent bowing to Deidre in respect.

Deidre’s mouth quivered for a few moments, but she soon regained composure of herself and headed toward the marriage podium. She was soon met by Lal and together they strode towards the podium.

The marriage went off without a hitch, however, after the marriage the affair was greatly changed for an assassins bullet found its way towards Lal, causing him to bowl over in a pool of blood.

The assassin was easily apprehended and when questioned replied that he was doing it for the good of the state and that Deidre had been ‘infected’ with evil longings for a polluting fiend by the devil himself. Deidre ordered the man killed.

Lal was placed in a hospital to recover, the hospital was the best in the region, it was the DETH (Doctors Educational Training Hospital) and was reputed to be as good as the MAYO institute was back on Earth, however, the doctors replied when asked that Lal was unlikely to be fully recovered for twenty decurns at the least. Deidre wept at his bedside.

Chapter IX "Best of the Summer Wine"
(Otherwise Known as the 9th Chapter)
Decurn 22 Day 6
---------------------------------------------

“Yang and his wife” –A humorous story in an otherwise unhumorous post (yeah right)
“But Elissa, I absolutely have to go to that conference today!” Yang began, harassed by his wife.
“No going mister all-important Chancellor you and I have some interior decorating to do today. “
“But,” “No buts.” His wife told him and shooed him into their rover with her and announced

“Chauffeur, take us both to Yang’s Lowes Home Builders Emporium and step on it, Councilman Yang here has an important meeting to go to.”
“Right on, Miss. Yang.” The chauffeur replied.

When they arrived at the Builders Emporium Elissa Yang hurried Shen-Ji from aisle to aisle selecting cloth for the windows and linoleum for the flooring. (Yes, even the Councilman was still poor enough to only be able to afford linoleum, despite several floating accusations…)
“How about this color?” His wife asked, to which he replied “Well,”
“What!” She said gravely “What is wrong with it.” “Well, he said, I just don’t really approve of it, its too bold really.” She then rebutted him with, “so are you saying that you don’t approve of my judgement?”

“No, No, it’s not like that.” Yang told her soothingly and she broke into crying. “Oh, very well, you can have the linoleum.” He conceded. At that she fell into thanking him and proceeded to buy every last wrap of linoleum in the shop.

Yang ordered the death of the shopping checker because of lack of speed, but was still 45 minutes late to his war council meeting.

[DarkCloud]

*empty*

[This message has been edited by DarkCloud (edited January 28, 2001).]

[DarkCloud]

Part VI:

Chapter X "Citizen Zakharov"
(Otherwise Known as the Mystical Chapter)
Decurn 22 Day 6
---------------------------------------------

The old man sat in his bed, dropped a wine glass and uttered the immortal words, “Rosebud”.

But that is not the story I will be talking about. I will be talking about a very different Citizen whose name does not start with “K”, this citizen is named Zakharov and is not really called citizen, he is titled “Academician”, but that is only academic. In those days no one cared and it was fine with just about everyone except for "Turtle", but no one liked that pompous snob anyway (a diluted excerpt from "The Little Green Blackbird"- a poem).

“What a fine movie.” Zakharov remarked as he walked out of a classic showing of “Citizen Kane” and headed down towards his expensive stretch-rover.

During his walk to his rover, he disappeared; leaving behind but a rosebud which had fallen from shirt-pocket.
…
Hive probe forces dragged Zakharov into a dark alley and pulled out their knives. However, Zakharov who was not easily disturbed decided to punch one of the probe team members in the stomach with a free hand. This did not bode well with the probe team who began to kick and hit him.

Luckily for Zakharov there were only five probe team members and they were quickly immobilized after a woman threw a garbage bag outside of her apartment window. The garbage bag was large and contained several broken blenders and a microwave. The resounding crash when the bag hit the probe members was sickening.

Zakharov, making the best of his situation pulled out one of the probes weapons and quickly immobilized two. The others were already lying near-death, but Zakharov, wanting to be efficient dispatched them as well.

Chapter X 2/6 “Do You Believe in Magic?”
(New Fusion Units are deployed)

“Ahh…” Chairman Yang commented. “Smell that, it is the air of victory.”
“Yes sir,” the General reported. “The new fusion units will crush anything the Peacekeepers or Gaians have, and with the forces of the Spartans helping us…” Yang finished for him “We will be invincible!”
They had a hearty laugh whilst observing their forces.

Chapter X 3/6 “What a Night”
(In the Prison of the Pirates)

“You’ll never get away with this.” Bondt drolled out towards at Ulrik.
“Well,” he began “I believe that I already have. Your feeble Peacekeeper forces do not know of your existence or else they might help you, however,” he angrily turned to Dark Cloud. “Your petty Data Angels are about to be crushed for their lack of reason.”

Ulrik confidently left them to think of the sure fate that would swallow them whole after Ulrik had no more use for them.

Chapter X 4/6 “Reach for the Stars”
(Disarray)
Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3412

“The once strong Caretaker forces were easily obliterated by Usurper forces, who, in turn were crushed by the combined strength of the Cult of Planet forces and the Free Drones. The victory was a great blow against oppressive aliens and will be remembered in the history of mankind."

104.45.3417

“Morgan himself announced yesterday that he would ‘gladly’ help the Drones in their eradication of the Caretaker scum.”

104.45.3425

“Captain Ulrik Svensgaard recently destroyed a large Caretaker sea-port and now claims all of the Caretaker seas as his own. Morgan sees this as monopolistic and thus has declared war on him.”

Chapter X 5/6 “Rollin on the River”
(Reward and Conquest)

“Foreman Domai.” The messenger reported. “We have captured the Caretaker’s base.
“Good.” Domani replied and sent the messenger away. Then he turned to ‘The Jackal’ who had been lurking in the shadows.
“So it seems that you have done well ‘Jackal’, I shall promote you for this, you shall be head of all Free Drone Probes and shall be in charge of infiltrations and assassinations planetwide.

‘The Jackal’ looked disapprovingly at the plan. “Sir,” he began “I am sort of a freelancer and all that I ask is that my name be cleared by your announcing of the person who really killed Lular and ended the alien threat for now.

“Very well then,” Domani responded “it shall.”

Chapter X 6/6 “Seeing is Believing”
(Miriam)

“Miriam.” Her chief advisor began.
“Yes Saons?” She replied bored.
“Miriam, the council is meeting right now.”
“Oh yes.” She sounded downcast.
“Well,”
“Oh yes, I’ll get in there.” She told him “I’ll get in there and do something radical, something interesting, something bold, my life really isn’t worth living if I don’t bring the ‘word’ to more faithful?” She asked, quickly changing from the dictative to the dictated.
“Yes,” she continued “the aliens are ripe for the religion. Ready the armies. We march a dawn.”
“Yes sir.” Saons Daons, her chief advisor began. “But wouldn’t you like to discuss it with the council.”
She then replied. “What do you think this is. A democracy!” She turned malicious in her voice. “Those ‘Usurpers’ who do not care for our religion will die.”

Chapter XI "Casablanca"
(Otherwise Known as the Explanation Chapter)
Decurn 25 Day 2
---------------------------------------------

The Hive probe team members were quickly questioned and disposed of, because if there was one thing which Academian Provost Zakharov did not like, it was probe teams who attempted to kidnap him.

The University forces on the front lines which once advanced so quickly now fell back as the Hive Fusion Rovers and Hercules Terminator’s genetically engineered squad attacked and drove the University forces before them. Those who did not die were scattered and their units shattered.

The Hive’s units quickly recovered over half the territory which had been lost to them. The Spartan forces were recalled within a few decurns of their joining the attack force to deal with the Cyborgs attacking from the north.

Oh, and just so you note, Zakharov was going slowly crazy. Hey, two kidnappings and many attempts to steal his hard-earned research can make a man that way. So don’t be a judge.

Chapter XI 2/8 “I Like That Old Time Rock and Roll”
(Caretaker Surrender)

“As the highest ranking Caretaker Representative, I see fit to negotiate an unconditional surrender to the combined might of the Nautilus Pirates, Free Drones, and Morgan Industries. The remaining quarters of Caretaker Lands will be divided as follows.

1. Ten bases in the eastern quadrant will be ceded to Morgan Industries as will 1/3 of our remaining treasury.
2. The north-western bases will be ceded to the Free Drones (Count: 15) They will also receive 1/3 of our treasury.
3. The Nautilus Pirates will receive all 14 seabases and 10 other bases. They will receive 1/3 of our treasury.

Humans, please see it fit in your wisdom to not torture our people, and, perhaps at some time help us destroy the evil Usurpers. Thank you for your time.”

-Caretaker Emaar Dalaa

Chapter XI 3/8 “Daydream Believer”
(Usurper Destruction)
REPORT:

The Usurper Garrison forces gave us no trouble and were destroyed. However, the remnants refused to convert to our religion and were systematically destroyed.
There is no living Usurper in the territory that once was True Believer Lands and we are proud of it.
The Usurpers deserved destruction because of their d*mnable pride.

NOTES:

The Cult has proved itself as a wondrous ally in the destruction of Usurper forces as they have killed all the remaining Usurpers in their half of the territory.
The Cyborg Commander has conquered the western regions of Usurper lands and destroyed all but 100,000 of their people, however, the Spartans have pledged their support to destroy the remaining Usurpers. Those despicable Cyborgs will not know what hits them and their disgusting sniveling protected Usurper scum, so, against all reason and authorization I signed a pact with the great Spartans for the duration of this conflict. So together we can quell the spread of the heretic Alien and Cyborg scum.

FROM THE DESK OF SISTER MIRIAM:

“Good work Sister Tira. You did well in that alliance, however you should have contacted me, but I suppose the angels of God spoke to you and told you the right thing to do, so go ahead on your holy crusade.”

Chapter XI 4/8 “House of the Rising Sun”
(Hive Progress)
REPORT:

“Peacekeeper territory penetrated. We have forces within 100 km of their capital. We await your orders.”
“ORDERS RECEIVED. Burn UN Planetary Base. CONFIRMED.”

Chapter XI 5/8 “96 Tears”
(Hive Progress Hits Home)
(Part I)
“Lal. Lal, honey.” Deidre pleaded. “Lal, can you hear me?”

He responded with a slight wave of his arm. “Well, Lal,” she went on whilst weeping. “They say you should be able to speak in a day or two, but I thought that I might tell you this, there is a tragedy and since your people are leaderless, perhaps I should stand in. Please raise your hand for yes, leave it down for no.” Lal raised his hand. “You won’t regret this.” Deidre told him “UN Planetary Base WILL NOT be taken.”

Lal looked alarmed as he heard this, for, after preliminary work at the DETH hospital, he was transferred to UN Planetary Base, so his people would know that he was all right. He had not heard about the advancing Hive forces and was reasonably surprised. But, he could not ask Deidre exactly what she meant, for she had left the room and he could not yell out.

(Part II)
“Peacekeeping Forces, please hear me.” Deidre began. “Your leader is too sick to coordinate defense for UN Planetary Base. However, he has left me in charge of defense preparations.” That announcement was met with a couple of hurled projectiles and insults too evil to print here.

“Yes, I know that you do not like me very much.” She continued “But, I was not responsible for your leaders wounds, I love him just as much as you do.” This was met with jeers. However, the jeers did not last long as the first Hive unit was sighted by soldiers on the perimeter, the battle had begun.

People rushed right and left looking for a place to hide while the Laser Guards readied themselves for an assault.

Chapter XI 6/8 “Help!”
(Data isn’t all It’s Cracked Up To Be)

The Datatech war was not going well. Five units had been lost at sea and meanwhile, it looked like the Pirates had actually ‘gained’ forces and production capacity from the Caretakers. Roze had few options other than to surrender or fight and she sure as he11 wasn’t ready to surrender to that fiend, Ulrik. She had no choice but to ask for help.

No one returned her calls save the Spartans who saw a chance to gain a valuable ally on their way towards world domination. Santiago looked smooth as she told Roze “Of course I would agree to help, if you would cut me on a share of the profits.”

Roze swallowed her pride and replied. “Yes, I would enjoy your help greatly.”

And it was agreed.

Chapter XI 7/8 “Born to be Wild”
(No one likes a Petty Pirate)

He was born to be wild. He was strong, suave, and a real draw at dances, he was Captain Ulrik Svensgaard, the man with the irresistible charm. However no amount of charm could get him out of this jam. He was at war with four different factions
The Spartans
The Data Angels
The Morganites
The University

Alone, he could deal with any of them, especially with the new ‘Fusion’ technology, but against all of them he didn’t stand a chance. The Spartans could do him the most damage for now, so he would have to concentrate his attacks on them, for they had many water units now upgraded to Fusion Units after Yang traded tech for their continued help in his war. However, Santiago deceived him and upon receiving the tech declared war on Yang and allied with the University.
Together they were a force to be reckoned with and were pushing Hive units back towards their capital.
So, luckily for Ulrik everyone was otherwise engaged except for the Morganites and Data Angels. The Morganites were no problem, they had no navy and their armed forces were reduced to nothing after the battles with the Hive and Caretakers. The Data Angels never really did have much of a armed force and so they shouldn’t be much to worry about.
Yes, Ulrik thought, I really have no problems, I am just inventing them because I have nothing better to do. And with that he went down his ship- “The Invader’s” hull to tease and torture the captives.

Chapter XI 8/8 “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”
(Spartan Reports)
REPORT:

“Item 1. The Cyborg attack was repelled.
Item 2. We have recovered all territory lost to the Cyborgs.
Item 3. Believers report they are within 700 km of the Cyborg capital and have eliminated all Usurper scum who resided within the territory.
Item 4. It seems that Cyborg units are pulling back to defend their capital against a massive attack.”
Lieutenant Zizi-Doka 1st Spartan Fusion Guard, 23rd Army, 2nd Division


CHAPTER XII
THIS MAGIC MOMENT
Decurn 27 Day 4
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Part I)

“Aki.” The voice began. “Your forces have been destroyed and now you will be tortured.”
“No.” Aki-Zeta Five, former leader of the Cyborg Coalition and now prisoner of Colonel Corazon Santiago whispered before receiving an electrical shock.

The Cyborg Coalition was shattered and destroyed by the combined forces of the Believers and Spartans. At least that was the popular belief. However, something unexpected had happened.

(Part II) History Report

The people hid in the caverns. They were hunted. They were Cyborgs and Usurpers. They had lost their leaders. They would rebuild. And yet they waited.
(Taken from “Rebuilding vol.1 By Yoarg Usurper)

Cyborg Reunion was founded and the forces began to rebuild immediately after the destruction of the Cyborg bases. This new faction of combined Usurpers and Cyborgs would become the greatest of all on Planet, however, it would take time.
(Taken from “Rebuilding vol.1” By Yoarg Usurper)

The Gaians were contacted immediatley following Aki’s fall by the new leader of Cyborg Reunion Ar-Ze Two. Deidre agreed to help them and sent probes to free Aki. The probes succeeded and Aki became a fugitive on the run from all except the Gaians and her own people, whom she rejoined a decurn later. (Taken from “My Freedom” By Aki-Zeta Five)

-Junior Researcher Juan Don Diego of the University 2405 “Thesis Notes”

Chapter XII 2/5 “12 O’Clock High”
(Yang’s Folly)

“What a fool was I.” Yang writes in his journal. “What a fool was I to trust those da#*(# Spartans! They betrayed me and joined the University and destroyed me. In a few minutes their forces will reach the gates of The Hive and I will go quietly to Spartan dungeons to join other war prisoners. I will not kill myself, for I hope that one day I will rise to great power once again. It will just be a matter of time….” Journal ends.

-Head Historian Elvis Techaam’s findings from Yang’s secret journals can be found in the books. “I am.” (2186) and “I was.” (2188) (Now avaliable in most University Public Libraries.)

Chapter XII 3/5 “Lethal Weapon”
(New Leaders)

“… With the capture of The Hive by University and Spartan forces, the backbone of the Human Hive was shattered. After Yang’s capture two new factions appeared.

A robot, Z-1, took control of all of the industrial bases and began a period of ‘purges’ to make to land pure of all those traitors and people who do not work hard. He also campaigned to create a streamlined factory work system. This system allowed, ‘The Skynet’ to survive destruction at the forces of the Spartans and University. However, ‘The Skynet’ was forced to call off the siege of UN Headquarters so as to be able to defend its own borders.

An advisor of Yang, Hiroshima Matsamura seized control of all the Hives scientific bases and founded the Learning Federation which was based on the principles of the power of Spies and Research. This ‘Learning Federation’, because of it’s kindred journey along the path of knowledge, caused our great Academian Provost Zakharov to declare peace with the Learning Federation, and, eventually became allies.

However, the Spartans persisted in their war campaign against the Learning Federation, and so, we declared war upon them.

-Historian James Zoibnov, “School Thesis on the History of Our Relationship with the Learning Federation” -2178

Chapter XII 4/5 “You’re Making Me Dizzy”
(Conference)

Datanotes on The Learning Federation Conference of 2145

“We MUST make peace with the Gaians and Peacekeepers, Zakharov, otherwise we will be destroyed.” Head Technician Elan Gabor began. “We already have Sparta and Skynet breathing down our necks, and it is especially bad now that they have allied!”

“Very Well,” the Academician responded “It shall be.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you very much.” Gabor responded worshipfully. Then the conference continued.

Chapter XII 5/5 “The Pirates of Penzance”
(Just a note)

The Pirates forces attacked the University off the shore and lost a major battle. This prompted Ulrik to offer peace, which was refused.

Meanwhile, the Spartans offered an alliance, which was gladly accepted by Ulrik. The Spartans, who had recently allied with Skynet, seeing their production power now had three allies and decided to play them off on the other nations.

Santiago took charge of all the nations and named an alliance between all four, Spartans, Believers, Pirates, and Skynet, she called her alliance the NATO, or North Artic Territory Organization which would destroy all the other nations.

This did not bode well with the other factions who all declared war on NATO. But, NATO reigned supreme as the Cult and Drones were exhausted after their last war and the Morganites and Data Angels had no standing armies. The Cyborgs/Usurpers were not known to exist and, The Learning Federation was almost completely destroyed as were the Peacekeepers and Gaians. So the only natural foe for NATO was the University.

NATO thus coordinated their attack plans on the University.

Chapter XIII "In the Woodwork"
(Otherwise known as the ‘other’ chapter)
Decurn 32 Day 2
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Lal,

It is good to hear that you have partially recovered. It is with good intent that I, Academian Prokhor Zakharov greet you.

I have a great proposal to submit to you and your new wife Deidre, Queen of the Gaians, or whatever she likes to call it. This proposal would call for all of us to unite against those evil foes, The Spartans and their allies, all of NATO.

I have submitted similar proposals to the Cult, Drones, Learning Federation, Angels and Morganites. Together we shall hold off this bitter assault on our countries.

I have also issued a formal apology to both of your countries. It has been seen that now you have been sufficiently weakened you can continue on your ways without becoming too powerful and being gripped with a notion such as that which has gripped that fiend Santiago. But, I digress.

So, please find it in your heart to unite with us in a battle against that evil #*#( Santiago. Thank You.

-Academian Prokhor Zakharov

Chapter XIII 2/7 “Twisting the Night Away”
(NAFTA)

The North Artic Free Territories Association was hence created. This association with the countries of the University, Learning Federation, Peacekeepers, Gaians, Cult, Drones, Data Angels, and Morganites would go on to complete great things in the future, but for now they had to deal with the evil organization, NATO.
-History of an Organization (by Dr. Ian Storm [2198])

Chapter XIII 3/7 “Yellow Submarine”
(Yellow)

Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3451

Synthmetal Discovered by University Scientists!
This discovery could prove invaluable in the fight against NATO tyranny as the University has shared this knowledge with all other members of the NAFTA alliance.
The petty NATO members will be crushed.

Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3457

Pirates Repelled! The Nautilus Pirates were repelled from University Soil yesterday by a daring group of University Fusion Rovers. If this activity keeps up we should win the war in a few years, until then War Profiteers will be profitable people for years to come.

Chapter XIII 4/7 “Willpower”
(NATO Squabbles)

“No!” Santiago protested “As chairman of this organization I should be the ONLY one making decisions.”

Sister Miriam Countered “Not so Santiago. The Lord, who speaks through me, is the only one fit enough to make the decisions.”
Ulrik snorted after hearing that proclamation while Z-1 voiced his disapproval “Miriam-Not-Efficient-Or-True-Leader. Santiago-Worthy-But-Not-Efficient. Only-Logical-Choice-Me.”

“No.” Santiago paused, “You elected me.”
“Perhaps-Time-For-New-Leader-Is-Now?” Z-1 responded as the NATO council broke up into squabbles amongst the members.

The meeting was then broken up by a smart-looking military officer who carried a message. He read it aloud. “Reinforcements needed at Cult border STOP Cultists proving harder to exterminated than originally planned STOP University forces retreating, but Pirates pushed off Isthmus STOP Peackeepers/Gaians defending land STOP To sum it up, reinforcements are needed at Peackeeper/Gaian fronts, Cultist, and University fronts STOP.”

The squabbles quickly resolved themselves as the leaders began working on a plan.

Chapter XIII 5/8 "Stalag 13"
(Life under Believer Occupiers)

"Heathen alien, get on with it." Manifold Usurper Yost glared at the taskmaster with his azure-colored eyes, then turned back to chopping wood; the winter in Believer country was going to be a hard one, and he had to do his task to take the chill out of the air.

Yost surmised however that if the Believers actually bought working heating systems from the University or Morganites, he would not have to do this menial task. He also surmised that the Believers would only be killing themselves when they burned the wood inside their pressure-enclosed domes. Yost silently cursed his oppressors for destroying much of his homeland and then exiling him. The only solace he received was his mortal enemies- the Caretakers had likewise been conquered and isolated.

His back shuddered as the Believer overseer lashed out with a whip at Yost, shouting: "We are the only ones whom God has chosen, those of your kind are but fit only to serve us. Do not slouch or rest, if you do- then perhaps I should send you away with most of your other countrymen, eh?"

Yost replied in his language, causing the overseer to stare at him quizzically. Yost's spirit was uplifted as he observed the Believer be thus befuddled.

Carrying the wood back to the base, Lord's Covenant, Yost was challenged along the way several times and asked to reply in bible quotes. Upon reaching the base, the Believer Regimental Crusader Colonel commanding an outpost connected to the base yelled at Yost through his body suit. Yost pretended not to hear his orders and continued on his way. The Colonel's face lit up red with fire. Soon he was drawing a laser pistol from his belt and pointing it at Yost. However, Yost did not care, thinking about his dead cousins, brothers and sisters, and the inevitable death of himself, Yost gave up.
Within minutes a squad was assembled to carry Yost's corpse from the entrance of Lord's Covenant…


------
-End Line: The ‘Nice’ guy doesn’t always win.

------Other Possible 1/2 Chapter Names
"Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good-Deidre's the type of girl who's not too shy."
“Devil with a blue dress on” “Homeward Bound” “Power Play”
“My baby Does the Hanky Panky” “Brown Eyed Girl”
“Silence is Golden” “Mama told me not to come”
"Just An Old Fashioned Love Song" "Stakeout" “Another Stakeout”
”Why do birds Suddenly Appear” ”Lets, Play the game of Love” “Dr. Zhivago (Zakharov)”
“Jumpin Jack Flash it’s a gas” “The only one who could ever reach me was the son of a Preacher Man”
“Terminator” “Deidre in the Sky-That’s What you are”
“You could have been anything that you wanted to.” “Venus” “Reach for the Sky”
“I like that old time rock and rolling Music” “Jailhouse Rock”
"Santiago in the sky-With glasses" “Sitting on the dock of the bay”
“California Dreaming-On such an evil winters day”
""Tequila"" Joy to the World" “Dr. Doolittle” “A hard days night”
"True Love""So Happy Together" "Rockin' Robert (Robin)" “Blue Suede Shoes”
"The Hustler" "I will Follow Him" "Mrs. Robinson" "Girl You Really Got Me Now"
"Take Me To the Water" "Splish, Splash, I was taking a bath""The Sting"
Knock on Wood" "Wrongfuly Accused" “Accelerate” “Grazin In the Grass”
“Don’t Go Breaking my heart” "The Fugitive""Up on the Roof" “Dragging the Line”
"Summer in the City" "Spirit In The Sky" "Bringing Up Baby" "The Naked Gun"
"Secret Agent Man""Close Encounters of Some Kind or Other" "Star Wars" "My Girl"
"Civilization II: A course in history" “That’ll be the day”

Chapters to Come:
-----------------

Chapter XIV "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines"
Chapter XV "Stalag 17"
Chapter XVI "The Great Escape
Chapter XVII "A.N.T.Z."
Chapter XVIII "Bonanza!"
Chapter XIX "The Crucible"
Chapter XX "A Conclusion to a strange serial story that has
merely rambled on just like this title for ages
and ages and ages and ..."


[This message has been edited by DarkCloud (edited January 23, 2001).]

[DarkCloud]

Bump.

[DarkCloud]

Chapter XIII 6/7 "Dark Side of the Moon"
(Believers vs the Cultists)

"The enemy is over that crest." Krestyan Planetworm pointed towards an imposing looking hill.

"What shall we do?" A young officer questioned him.

"We shall question the planet." Krestyan announced, then retrieved a knife from his jacket and plunged it into the carcass of a mindworm that had been standing at attention. The mindworm jumped and withered, then was still, and the voice of the Planetmind came through it: "What is it you wish to know?"

"We wish to know," Krestyan began, "we wish to know how best to conquer the foul Believers who have defiled you, fair planet."

"I have but one request for you before I help you." Planetmind began

"Yes?"

"That is, you QUIT SACRAFICING MINDWORMS SO YOU CAN TALK TO ME!"

"Uh…" Krestyan nervously answered.

"Yes?" The all-knowing voice of Planetmind questioned

"How are we to talk to you if we do not kill mindworms?"

"I will speak through dead Cultists."

"I see-" Krestyan's eyes went wild, but then he relaxed as he realized the only people who were to be sacrificed would be the workers of the land, the planetfarmers, not the valuable officers or ecological corps members.

"Now- to conquer the believers, you must not use the mindworms or the planetworms. You must drive a rover into the midst of the Believers and ignite it. When the rover is ignited, the planet will open up, for there is a fault line under where the Believers stand.

The land will open up and the Believers will be consumed." Planetmind finished and fell silent.

"Deriki!" Krestyan yelled, pulling the knife from the bloody Mindworm,

"Yes sir?" Private Deriki answered, approaching his leader.

"Drive a rover into the midst of the Believers and hit the self destruct button."

"Yes sir!" Deriki saluted and smiled, rushing off to accomplish his task.

First Commander Krestyan Planetworm smiled, pleased with the jobs the Cultist Mind Programming squad had done with the young men of the Cult. They were so ready to accept orders and so very ready to carry them through, they worked for the good of the land and thought not of themselves.

Krestyan also smiled, happily thinking that he was glad not to be one of the brainwashed.

Minutes later an explosion occurred in Believer held territory, followed by a massive earthquake.
The Cultists were sheltered by a sudden outcropping of earth that protected them from rising lava and water. The water buried the Believer forces, and the Cultists cheered.

Chapter XIII 7/7 “Mama told me not to come”
(Dark Cloud-Data Angel/ Tim Bondt-Peacekeeper)

Tim Bondt sat in the corner murmuring, "Mama told me not to become a secret agent- she told me not to come to the PEAK (Peacekeeper Educational Agent Kompound) she told me that some day I might end up on the sea, captured by fiendish Pirates and that they would tell me to walk the plank and die and then they would-"

"Shut up, please." Dark Cloud sighed, searching for a way out of their torture box in the Pirate ship. The mood was grim, they had but a few days left to live before the next execution date on the Pirate's floating fortress.

All Cloud and Bondt could hope for was for some University rescuers to come retrieve them, because the University was the only nation that still maintained a fleet. (The University 1st Trawlers had been equipped over a year ago to deal with any threats that manifested in University waters near the University seabases. The trawlers had proven quite useful since they were so rickety and moved so slowly that the Pirate's advanced radar detection screens could not pick them out of the water. The pirate's radars identified the trawlers as planetwhales, and, by the time the trawlers approached the Pirate's ships, the submarine ships were destroyed. Recently, the Pirates had taken to torpedoing any sea creature in the water larger than twenty feet long.

However, Zakharov had improvised, and ordered the 1st Trawlers to cut their bows and shrink to look like Planetseals. And thus, whilst the Pirates ruled the waters, the University was the more powerful.)