Clarkson hated himself. Since his paper had shut down he had been forced to make ends meet by freelancing stories for the LMB Inquirer under a various pen names. Clarkson had actually begun his journalism career working for a scandal rag. Although he had been on features, mostly health related as opposed to the front page exposées.
He hated this part of the job most of all. To feed Legion World's insatiable desire for scandal, preferably sexual in nature, Clarkson had staked out Cobalt Row for the past two nights. Unfortunately there was not much sex to be had on Legion World these days. Since the invasion it seemed that the whole planetary elite was not in the mood.
Several hours trundled by ever so slowly as Clarkson passed time by listening to war news coverage from the Dark Oval all the while his gaze was fixed upon the deserted streetscape.
Just after midnight a lone figure strode through the empty street. Striding boldly Clarkson could tell that this was a person of some importance and was without a doubt one of the super powered individuals of Legion World.
"You would have to be to be brave enough to walk in this neighborhood this late at night." thought Clarkson trying to zoom in to identify the face of the person with his imaging device.
Clarkson reeled slightly as he caught the face of the woman as she walked past a street lamp and towards into the Secret Retreat Hotel.
"For crying out loud it's WINEMA WAZZO"
Clarkson waited in anticipation waiting for an individual to arrive and meet Ms. Wazzo for in his experience no one ever checked in alone to Cobalt Row. Although it was customary to arrive and depart individually.
He did not have to wait long as several minutes later another figure appeared. This one was male to be sure. Clarkson prepared the camera, aiming it at the same spot under the street lamp where he was sure to catch a glimpse of his face. Underneath the light Clarkson caught the unmistakable face of Tamper Lad as he too entered the Secret Retreat.
"Damn," said Clarkson. Everyone knew Tamper was attracted to power but to say Winema had been around the block a few times was an understatement.
"Why would they meet here?" he asked remembering that there was a perfectly good Genius Club where Tamper was every night. Even the Secure Undisclosed Location might have been a better spot because even though everyone knew about it, it was boring enough to escape notice.
By the time the two guests departed the Hotel on Cobalt row separately just before dawn, Clarkson had already prepared an innuendo filled piece that would pay his rent for two months.
From: Canada | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
"It's been over a month, we really need to..." Cabana Boy was saying when he was interrupted by his companion.
"What we need to do is keep the Villa functioning smoooothly, exactly as he would want it so that everything is in order when he returns." Pool Boy countered. "He's had a very difficult year, remember. Not only did he lose the companionship of his long time partner, Semi...he also suffered the loss of two dear friends, The Empress and Space Ranger during the Crisis. And now, losing Queen Connie so unexpectedly...well...he really is entitled to disappear for a while if he so chooses, Cee."
"I'm not saying he isn't entitled to, Pee. It's just that it's not like him to be gone for so long. He's had more than his share of tragedy over the years and he always bounces back quickly and is ready to face the future. Something must be wrong. I'm sure of it."
"I see you two are at it again," interjected a third voice. Kid Towel moved to join them as he added, "but it seems that Cee has been right to worry, Pee. We've just received a sublight message from the Variable Realm asking to speak with Vee on a matter of some urgency."
"But Tee..." Pool Boy said as he and Cabana Boy looked at Kid Towel in dismay.
"Yes, I know...Vee left for the Variable Realm four weeks ago to arrange for Queen Connie's Royal Funeral. He never made it there although it only should have taken a few days at most. Something or someone prevented him from getting there."
"We need to call the Office of Security and let Cobalt know," Pool Boy decided.
"Cobalt isn't there, Pee," Cabana Boy reminded him. "And most of the LMBPers are either off with Cobalt fighting the Dark Oval forces or too busy dealing with the wreckage left here on Legion World from the Invasion."
"Cee is right, Pee. There is no one we can call that can be of any help right now. We'll need to figure this out for ourselves," Kid Towel concluded.
"Guys, this won't be easy," Pee commented. "Whatever kept Vee from reaching the Variable Realm had to be enourmously powerful or extremely important. Vee is one of the most potent LMBPers, especially since he inherited the Emerald Eye. I can't imagine what could have stopped him from getting where he was going."
"Well, I guess it's time we tried to find out," Tee said.
[ October 01, 2006, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: Vee ]
-------------------- "Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"
From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Dedman finds himself drifting phantomlike in the foggy dimension between life and the afterlife that he always goes to temporarily after his body is killed.
He remembers that it was a struggle to convince his friends at the Security Office to kill him. He had thought it was quite silly since they knew he'd return. But he always admires the consideration his friends give him and how they value his life. There was still an innocence in them despite all their trials. Dedman often envies that innocence.
In the end, though, Frio performed the necessary business. The tactic Dedman used on her was to egg her own about her fling with Cobalt Kid. For a woman with cold powers, Frio's temper can be awfully fiery if one knows what buttons to push! Oddly, it was the first time he'd been killed by flash-freeze, or was it? It was getting difficult to keep track!
Recently, Dedman had been remembering more and more about his time spent in the Poltergeist Zone, about the other spirits he encounters their between his deaths and resurrections.
Toward the end of his examination of HUGEMANBREASTS, he realized that part of the unsettling feeling he had had was caused by the fact that he was sensing Hugh's spirit. Dedman could sense it's presence but couldn't communicate with it. But maybe if he went into the Poltergeist Zone.....
In an instant, Dedman suddenly is knocked from his musings and feels Hugh's presence calling to him like a beacon. He wills himself to float toward the source of that feeling. There he is!
"Hugh!" he yells. "I'm here! Stay where you are, friend!"
As he gets closer, Dedman sees that Hugh is floating near a tremendous source of light and appears to be fighting a gravitic pull from it.
As Dedman gets closer, he feels confusion because there's absolutely no force pulling on him as he nears Hugh.
"Glad you finally made it, Deddy! I can't fight this much longer!"
"Hugh? I don't understand--I don't feel anything, and you're so..."
"Lucid? Intelligible? Yes, the afterlife seems to have cured me of my mental...deficiencies. And apparently Heaven or Nirvana or whatever wants me pretty badly, but it doesn't want you, I'm afraid. That's why you don't feel its pull...it's not your time."
"Yeah," Dedman says,"I guess it'll never be my time..."
"Well," Hugh says, "you never know. Anyhow, I need to give you something before I go. I have to be quick about it!"
"What..what is it, Hugh?"
"Knowledge, my friend! Come closer please."
Dedman drifts closer and Hugh's transparent finger enters Dedman's transparent skull. Dedman is stunned as the events of Hugh's last days flood into his brain.
"It's too much to process all at once," Hugh says. "It'll take time. But try not to be too hard on the woman who killed me. I believe there's more than--Ahh..!"
The Light's pull is too strong now. And Hugh let's go and starts to let the Light take him. But before he's completely enveloped he yells back to Dedman, "please, when you see Fiona...tell her I love her, and that I'm better off, now--"
And in an instant the Light vanishes and takes with it the man known as HUGEMANBREASTS.
Though still reeling from the information overload, Dedman manages a smile and says, "goodbye", before feeling a pull of his own.
"Back to life, I guess," he sighs and a moment later, he's no longer in the Poltergeist Zone.
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Late in the morning, when the Rockhoppers and the Super-Pets arrived at LMB HQ, there was not a large number of the membership present. Most were off on various missions.
Interestingly, one new member was on monitor duty: Time Teller Lad. He could tell at an instant what time it was anywhere in the universe and he could tell exactly how old an object was.
"Rockhopper Lad!" TTL called out. "How is Rockhopper Lass doing?"
"I'm fine," she replied for herself. "I've learned Interlac again. I just can't remember anything."
"I'm hoping there's something here that can help her," Rockhopper Lad added.
"You'll be back to normal in no time," TTL smiled. "And then you'll feel just like any other Pyngwyn would at age earth-standard twenty-five years, three months and fourteen days!"
Rockhopper Lad shook his head. "That can't be. Adelie is just over a year younger than I. She should be--let's see--earth standard twenty-four years eleven months and twenty days."
"Maybe she was born a few months earlier in Rockhopper Lass's universe?" TTL asked.
"No. Both Adelies have the same birthday."
"What does this mean?" Rockhopper Lass asked.
"Apparently, Adelie, when you disappeared, you aged four months that he rest of us didn't!" Rockhopper Lad replied grimly.
-------------------- The only character in all of literature who has been described as "badnass" while using the phrase "vile miscreant."
From: The Pyngwyn Colonies of Planet Hyustyn | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
As far back as his people could remember, they had always been Barbarians to the United Planets, and they had always been barbarians to their neighbors. Living far away from a natural sun, they developed slowly and used only technology that had been given to them by accident. Their people had no name, native only to one planet and limited to the livable areas on such a barren planet. But that had all changed with Carthac. Either the legends were true and Carthac was born smarter, larger and crueler than the rest of this people, or perhaps he was just lucky, but he somehow amassed an army renowned for his mercilessness and its proficiency in the art of subjugating another people. He created fleets out of centuries old technology, and he created a kingdom out of nothing. In three decades, he created the most magnificent, and the most horrific barbarian kingdom his sector of space had ever seen.
His son, Carthac II, grew up knowing he would be King, and had one goal throughout his youth and beyond: to outdo his father and grow the kingdom thrice over, and to subjugate triple the amount of people his father had, so that all who heard his name knew that one day they would pay him home. It was Carthac II that established the Khanate of Carthac was the most potent force in the sector now commonly referred to as ‘The Barbarian Hordes’. And it was Carthac II that massacred his neighbors and the other Barbarian tribes for decades, until finally realizing that beyond their borders, there was a whole universe of planets ripe for the plucking.
Carthac III was born thirty years earlier. Before the Barbarian Hordes even thought of crossing into the United Planets, they had their first great war with the Empire of Khundia. It was relentless and ruthless on all sides. Carthac II glady wasted the lives of his allied barbarian kingdoms and even his own people, to continue such a glorious war. When peace was finally established after twenty years of brutality, Carthac II demanded a Khundian high-born princess to be part of the terms. The Khunds cared little for this small point and awarded it to him. Thus, Carthac II married a Khundian Warrior Princess, whose stature left Carthac’s citizens in awe and horror. And further thus, Carthac III entered the world a half-Khund/half-Barbarian, twice the size of a normal tribesman in the Barbarian Horde, and horribly ugly to those he grew around.
Carthac III’s childhood was unique as well. His father knew that his son must outdo him, as he had outdone his father, and thus wanted him prepared. So he sent him to Ggrrgg, the most famous planet in the universe for breeding conquerors and warlords, so that he would be schooled in the disciplines of making war upon the universe and conquering other planets until they submitted to their will. On Ggrrgg, Carthac III trained and learned about strategy, tools, morale, and the cold arts of waging war without emotion. He also learned that the greatest value the Ggrrggian war machine instilled was that it could conquer a people and make them willingly submit to the glory of Ggrrgg. This was most commonly exemplified by the title ‘Dominus’, which a conquered slave would use as a term of respect to their Ggrrggian master. Lacking any subtly, Carthac III thus returned to the Barbarian Hordes with a new name, and was crowned Dominus I. When his father died, he quickly became Khan of the newly reformed Khanate of Carthac, and renewed the wars with great vigor. It was he who encouraged the massive Barbarian migrations a few years ago. Some believe his father died in his sleep, some believe his father died with Dominus’ blade through his heart.
Dominus believed in three things now: (1) the domination of the Dark Oval, the United Planets and all other planets not subservient to him. (2) The unification of the ‘Barbarian Hordes’ under his banner, so that his empire might stretch across this entire sector of space as one great people loyal to him. (3) The complete devout belief in Sol Invictus and the religion of the Black Sun.
Dominus could hardly remember how the Black Sun religion had become such an important part of his life, only that it had. It began among his soldiers when he was much younger, spreading among them like wildfire. The belief that Sol Invictus, the unconquered sun, would come down from heaven one day and be a new beacon of light for them, after all the other suns and other peoples were eliminated from the world, was one that he believed in strongly and did not question. His devout faith in Sol Invictus reinforced his desire to overtake the rest of the universe. And his soldiers shared faith gave them an even greater loyalty.
And now Dominus was ready to begin.
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
Eryk Davis Ester
Created from the Cosmic Legends of the Universe!
posted
IN ROUTE TO THE PLANET ORVILLE
No ordinary man could've have travelled to Orville hidden in the twisted and narrow spaces in the ventillation shafts between the cargo hold and passenger section of United Planetes Space Flight 52. But Dak Arthu was no ordinary man, for he was... The Living Pretzel!
The Popcorn People of Orville seemed peaceful enough, but the Light Brigade had a tip that something big was happening on the planet that soon might affect the very course of the Universe. So he, Mascara Man, and Coma Lad had all used their unique abilities to secretly board the regular round trip flight to Orville.
Suddenly the starship was shunted out of hyperspace by a giant explosion! Damaged and out of control, with the pilot unconscious, the ship plunged straight into an asteroid belt! Mascara Man converted from Mascara to human form and rushed toward the cockpit, only to find it locked. Fortunately, such barriers were no obstacle to Coma Lad's ability to teleport to the scene of danger, and so the comatose body of the Light Brigader exchanged places with that of the pilot, and slumped over the controls of the space ship in such a way that it changed course away from the asteroid belt. As the ship approached a nearby planet, it jarred on impact with the atmosphere, causing Coma Lad arm to flail into the autolanding sequence control.
The ship landed safely... but where?
From: Liberty City | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
Who would have thought I would end up here, in the middle of this mess, when I left the Villa for home? thought Vee as he looked out the third story window of the small loft he was currently using as a base of operations in Nueva Cordoba, the capital city of the planet.
Four weeks earlier while enroute to the Variable Realm, he had picked up a faint distress call on his ship's communicator. Though it was very weak, he was able to trace it's orgin to this sector of space, a desolate corner of the galaxy, far from any major trade routes. This portion of the universe was neither UP, Khundian, Dominion, nor Barbarian territory, though it sat right smack dab in what could only be called the "Four Corners" ... bordering all, yet beholden to none.
Sadly, upon his arrival, Vee quickly discovered that the distress signal had reached him way too late for the humanoid sentinents that had broadcast it. The hull of their small ship had been torn asunder in multiple places and all 5 inhabitants of the ship had quickly died from explosive decompression. From the looks of it, whoever had attacked the ship had scoured every inch of it searching for something. It appeared they had not found what they sought because of the grotesque mutilation they had inflicted on what must already have been ice cold corpses at the time...or maybe they had found what they sought. What else could explain that all five of the corpses had been decapitated!
Vee could have simply offered up some prayers for their souls and given them each a decent space burial then continued on his way but something had caught his eye.
Carved on the left forearm of one of the corpses were some barely distinguishable words...words that had sent a chill down his spine! Not only because of what they said but because they were obviously self inflicted. The carvings had small streaks of blood running from them. They had to have been done prior to the hull being breached. The humanoids had been trying to leave behind a message.
N.I. Inquisitors ~ Make them pay!
Vee had downloaded the small ship's logs and poured over them for hours after doing what he could to give the ship's inhabitants a decent burial. He had discovered that the five people killed had been fleeing for their lives for quite some time. Their last planetfall had been on Galicia 5 in the New Iberian Cluster and they had left there hurriedly just 5 days before the attack.
Using his omnicom to cross reference the info in the databanks, Vee had concluded that their final message had to be a reference to a fairly new group of religious zealots that had arisen in the New Iberian Cluster within the past year. Calling themselves "La Nueva Inquisición de la Luz" in the ancient Terran Spanish language that was the origin of the native New Iberian tongue. This translated into "The New Inquisition of the Light" and was commonly refered to simply as the "New Inquisition" or simply, the Inquisition.
Beyond that data, the rest was wild supposition. Some claimed that this group had arisen to combat the influence of another quasi-religious group, the Black Sun, which was making huge inroads throughtout the Barbarian sector of space and beyond. Others claimed it was simply an even more stringent branch of the same group. Still others claimed it had nothing at all to do with the Black Sun, yet everyone agreed on one thing...The Inquisition had powerful connections and should be feared by everyone.
What made no sense is how these five sentinents , fleeing across space had so quickly run afoul of the Inquisition. They had barely been on Galicia 5 for three days! Either they had stumbled onto something very big by mistake, or it was interrelated to their original cuase for flight.
Either way, the answers could only be found on Galicia 5 and Vee felt duty bound to search them out. After all, he had been the recipient of their message from the grave. He could do no less.
-------------------- "Hey Jim! Get Mon out of the Zone!! And...when do we get Condo back?"
From: Paragon City on patrol | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
The Dark Oval: De Facto Headquarters of the Armies of the United Planets and the Legion World Triumvirate
In his quarters, Cobaltus saw to his unending string of military duties, maintaining the army’s progress in all of its facets. Disaster Boy and other generals silently followed suit. Outside Shark Lad grew restless. Somewhere deeper in the Dark Oval, Hrun moved ever deeper into enemy territory. Business proceeded as usual.
“No change,” said Abin Quank, suddenly appearing besides Jailbait Lass.
“No,” she said quietly. “Nothing. I-I’ve tried to talk to him a few more times…but he barely says anything. Its like just being in my presence makes him cold…”
“Its not you, Lolita,” said Abin, now putting his hand her shoulder. ‘Its himself that he’s wrestling with.” Now Jailbait Lass saw a side of Abin Quank reserved only for those that were known to be in the House of Quank: Pagan Lass, Abin’s wife, Stoopid Cat, her familiar and oldest friend, Everyday Girl, Abin’s granddaughter, and once Space Ranger, his brother. It was the side that showed he understood when it was time to be a father, grandfather, and someone that knew when and what to say. “You’ve given him some time, but its all so sudden,” he continued. “But I know we don’t have time. So I think you’ll be happy to know that some friends have come here to talk to him…” With that, Abin stepped away, and walked into the fort. Jailbait Lass seemed unsure of what he meant, but then heard a ship landing near her. She looked and saw two figures exiting it. And there she saw: Spellbinder, the royal Princess Crujectra of Psyonia, the love of Cobalt’s life…and Space Tart, his former wife and first true love. Here they were…together?
Spellbinder approached Jailbait Lass directly. “Lolita, we’ve come to save him. Whatever your reasons were for coming here, you must realize that your goal now is the same as ours. I must save him…we must save him.” Jailbait Lass only nodded. Spellbinder had a confident, beautiful and regal look on her face, but Jailbait Lass had seen her enough times to recognize that she also was concerned, and was terribly sad. She turned to see Space Tart, surprised to see her here. She too looked sad, and her exotic features could not hide that. That these two women made the trip all the way to the Dark Oval together, which must have been completely uncomfortable, was surprising to Jailbait Lass. The tension between them, no matter how they tried to conceal it, was evident to anyone paying attention. And here now stood two of the most renowned beauties in the universe, two of the most celebrated heroes and admired leaders, preparing for what could end up being the most painful intervention of their lives.
“Come on Lolita,” said Space Tart, and they moved forward. Both she and Crujectra had called her Lolita now. Usually only Cobalt or Everyday Girl did that, the rest just called her Jailbait Lass. As they moved forward, every soldier in the jam-packed headquarters moved to the side, not hiding the fact that they were staring and gaping at the trio approaching. The woman walked confidently, but at an easy pace. All of the soldiers in Cobalt’s tent quickly filed out. Shark Lad nodded at the two women, as Space Tart smiled at him, and Crujectra quietly patted his shoulder. Disaster Boy filed out silently, wondering what this all meant. And finally, the tent held only four people: Spellbinder, Space Tart, Jailbait Lass and the person they’d come to see, Cobalt Kid.
Silence pierced the air, and Jailbait Lass wondered what Cobie must be thinking. Was he mad? The way he’d been acting, it’d seem likely. But she had never seen him mad at Crujectra before ever, and never anything but faux-anger with Spacey. “Well,” he said at last, “I’ve had this dream a lot recently, so I must have dozed off…”, and although they knew he was smiling underneath, they felt it being forced.
“Cobie,” said Crujectra, “we’re here for you. I’ve asked Spacey to join me, and you know I wouldn’t if I didn’t think it was necessary. It’s time, love. It’s time.”
“Please Cobie,” said Space Tart now, “none of us here want to see you do this to yourself. We know what you’re thinking and what’s happened. We don’t need to go over it all. It’s alright. You can come home. You’ve made amends, and you’ve made things right. You can stop now, before you go too far.”
He continued to be silent, still covered in his armor. He looked at all of them—all three, including Jailbait Lass to her surprise, but said nothing. “What I’m doing,” he said softly, “is finishing something that should never have begun on my watch. I’ve let you all down. You three most of all. But I need to make it right.”
Spellbinder stepped forward. She put her soft hand on his cold armor. “Cobie, take off this mask. Please.” She stared into the dark opening for his eyes. “For me.” Slowly, he picked up his helmet and tossed it to the ground. His horrifically scarred features were plain to see. Jailbait Lass, having seen it before, couldn’t help but stare at him. Space Tart gasped, and moved closer. A single tear went down Crujectra’s face. She looked into his eyes. “Beautiful as the day I met you,” she smiled, more tears flowing.
He stared at her. “But I’m not, Crujeckie,” he said. “I’m no longer. The man I am on the outside is what I am on the inside.”
“No Cobie,” said Space Tart, putting a hand on his other shoulder. “You’re not. And you never will be. We’ve always known that. You are who you are. But you’re a good man, and a hero. Always.”
He looked at her now. He said nothing. “Thank you, Spacey,” he said quietly, then looked at Crujectra. “I’m not worthy enough for you,” he said softly, his features betraying nothing. Long ago, Dr. Albert Hoffman had taken away his ability to cry, when his torture had pushed him far over the edge. “You deserve far better than I,” he finished.
Her smile had gone, and her tears stopped. She put her hands on his cheeks. Crujectra spoke softly, but firmly, “but I’ve chosen you. Now you have to be you.”
And now silence was louder than ever in the room, and no one said anything. Jailbait Lass knew that outside, every soldier waited eagerly. Finally, Cobalt backed away, his face no longer inches from Crujectra’s. Then slowly, he pulled a metallic bracer off his right wrist, and then the other bracer off his left wrist. His cape fell off and he removed the armor on his torso, revealing his naked chest to be full of more scars. His armor was gone. He stared at them. A small smile, slowly crept back across his face.
“Thank you,” he said quietly, stepping forward. “For all of it,” he finished, embracing Spellbinder tightly, feeling her check against his. Space Tart moved forward and joined them. Both women wept quietly.
“Thank heavens,” thought Jailbait Lass. “At last, Cobaltus Primus Augustus is gone…and I’ve finally found Cobalt Kid…”
Later
“Come on in, Lolita,” said Cobalt, as she entered his tent. He had called on her moments before, and it was suddenly now, she realized that he sounded normal again. His triumvirate armor was off him still, and she saw that he had put on his old LMB costume. His face remained heavily scarred. He motioned to his chair. “Sit.”
She did. He looked at her for along while, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. A small smile was across his lips, and she could swear his eyes looked misty. “I’m glad you’re okay, Cobie,” she said, with a shy smile. And she was—she felt like on the verge of everything being broken, things had been mended in the nick of time.
“Lolita,” he began, but stopped. “I owe you a great apology. I…I, I’m sorry.” He seemed like he was grasping for words, which was unlike him. “You’ve been a great friend to me—no, more than that. You’re one of my best friends. You’re one of my closest confidants. I know…” he seemed unable to get the sentence out. She leaned closer to him, putting her hands on the table. “I know you care a great deal about me. Well, I want you to know I care a great deal about you.” He put his hand on hers. “I love Crujectra. And I’ll always love Spacey…” he continued. “…but I’m ending this war. And I’m doing it for you,” he finished. And then she saw something she’d never seen before, as one single, solitary tear-drop fell down his cheek.
She held his hand tightly and continued to sit with him, and neither said anything anymore.
[ August 10, 2007, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
Reports continue to pour in from the outskirts of the United Planets, where the borders meet the sector commonly referred to as the Dark Oval. For months now, war has waged on between the Dark Oval and the United Planets, with the famous planet Legion World leading the charge. Well, today, on a day that will live on a time when sentients across the universe could exhale, the war is finally over!
The head of the UP armies, Cobaltus Primus Augustus, the legendary Legion World Triumvir and LMBPer who had been commissioned to be the lead general in the assault on the Dark Oval has agreed to a cease-fire and an end to open hostilities. While there was widespread support across the United Planets for Cobaltus and the military, there was some criticism among his own peers in the LMB on Legion World in his continued attempts to invade the Dark Oval. Today, with Cobalt’s ceasefire, the Dark Oval has agreed to open negotiations to end the ongoing war, and experts say they should not last long. The Dark Oval is currently at war with the sector we call the “Barbarian Hordes” and despite its unmeasured but commonly believed to be superior military power; it cannot fight a war on two fronts.
With peace at hand, Cobaltus has stepped down from his position and allowed the military leaders and ambassadors of the United Plants to resume their control of diplomacy with the Dark Oval. It is believed that the borders will be the same as they were pre-Invasion, with the exception of a small cluster of planets ‘liberated’ by Cobalt now being inducted into the United Planets. Now referred to by the free press as the ‘Contested Territories’, they have received full-UP status as planets.
Citizens will recall that once the Invasion began six months ago, there was a period of two and a half months of intense invasion by the Dark Oval into the United Planets, until the armies of Legion World led an offensive assault that drove them out, and then went a step further, invading the Dark Oval itself for three more months. Finally now, it appears peace has been somewhat restored. One must wonder, however, if it will last.
Greg Evignan Island, Legion World
FROM: Cobaltus Primus August TO: Eryk Davis Ester
“Eryk Davis Ester, noble brother at arms and my good friend, I am writing to inform you that peace is here at last. I have been persuaded that the best course of action is to cease the invasion of the Dark Oval and give diplomacy and peace a chance, and that is what I have done. With the small Contested Territories now part of the United Planets, the war is over. Given that our fellow Triumvir from Starhaven has retired himself and his entire army, there now leaves two of us Triumvirs left, ipso facto, there is no Triumvirate. However, you, yourself, have chosen to live in peace and harmony on Greg Evignan Island. I will keep my armies here, on the border of the Dark Oval, as a border force, to live in peace while it lasts, and to rise again if war rises first. However, I will follow your suggestion from the last time we spoke and speak no more of the Triumvirate for the time being, allowing it to lapse from the public eye, where we can revisit the topic another time.
There is one other item. I am sending Shark Lad to Greg Evignan Island. As you know, his ferocity is legend, as is his tendency to rage and to do terrible things. I have done him a great disservice in encouraging his rage and anger, and I have betrayed his trust in me. I now do the only thing I know best, to send him to you and to the culture of Greg Evignan Island, where I hope he will be cured of any ailment I encouraged and know peace once more. Treat him well, and give him peace and solemnity.
Best Regards, Cobalt
The Dark Oval
He slipped out quietly, so no one would notice he was gone. That wouldn’t last he knew, but he had ways of moving unnoticed when he needed to. He had come for answers and he still wanted them. So once more, Disaster Boy would try and find them, and once more, he would hope he got back to Legion World soon
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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Tamper Lad sat in the board room nervously watching the news reports on the millitary front. The price of Evil Genius Inc. was sufferring on the market in the wake the weekend's events. Apparently the LW populace believed the Inquirer's outrageous innuendos despite the denials of two upstanding LW citizens.
EG Inc. had lost its squeaky clean image. Amazingly enough, a company with Evil in its name had a squeaky clean image. It was a credit to the brilliant marketing campaign showcasing bunnies with pancakes on their heads.
"This is terrible news. Now our war division will face a whole bunch of cancelled orders. CALIENTE!!! I'll be gone for the rest of the week. Take care of the guests."
With that Tamper took off in his personal transport for a trip off of LW.
From: Canada | Registered: Apr 2005
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Lard Lad and Whordru lie in bed, sharing postcoital bliss.
"Dru..that was amazing! I-I can't express how much--"
"Shh, Anthony. This is the latest breakthrough in our relationship. Just...let's just bask in it for awhile, darling."
"No, honey. What you've done for me..."
"No," she corrects him. "It's what we've done for each other, my love! I lost my entire planet, but you've helped heal me through your love and by teaching me what it truly is to love and be loved. Love's power is greater than any magic I can conjure!"
"Dru, before I found you, I was on a dark path. Sometimes, I believe your sister Mordra was onto something when she told me how her 'Church of the Eternal Void' thought I would destroy everything someday..."
She uncurls off his chest and looks him in the eyes, "never let her bullshit poison you anymore, Anthony. In all my days no one has ever shown me the kindness you have." Tears well up in her eyes. "All I ever used to care about was controlling people. All those years wasted..."
"Hey, baby," he says holding her more tightly, "it's okay. This wasn't one-sided, you know. Mordra left me a mess. Her mental and physical rape of me left me impotent. But you were so understanding...suggesting this retreat. I'm at peace with myself. I'm also able to express love physically again--and it means more now than it ever has!"
They embrace tightly and exchange a passionate kiss.
"Gods," he says after they kiss, "I did so much that was just plain wrong while in that state. I'm not sure everyone would forgive me if they knew what all I--"
"Shush!" she says putting her finger over his mouth. "The two of us need to put the darkness in our pasts behind us. That's a big part of what this retreat was for, I've come to realize. I think it's enough that we've acknowledged our mistakes and will not be repeating them again, don't you?"
"Yeah, you're right, baby. I know now that as long as we have each other, we're gonna be alright."
"Damn right!" she says and snuggles on his chest.
"So," he says as he runs his fingers through her hair, "when do we return to Legion World?"
"Soon, I think, to prepare for the wedding. But nottoo soon!"
"I'm not in any hurry, either, Dru. I'm sure things are quiet over there as the rebuilding goes along. Still, for some reason I've been thinking about Hugh alot lately."
"He's like a brother to you, Anthony. Maybe we can try to find him after we leave?"
"Yeah, I guess. I haven't had much luck since the last time I saw him."
"Things are different now, my love...you've got me!"
"Yes...yes I do!" And he embraces her tightly again. "mmmmm....ready for seconds, Dru?"
She answers by kissing him very hard, and soon enough, they are discovering each other all over again....
[ October 02, 2006, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: Dru the Sorceress ]
Registered: Oct 2003
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-------------------- The only character in all of literature who has been described as "badnass" while using the phrase "vile miscreant."
From: The Pyngwyn Colonies of Planet Hyustyn | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Matlock's Office. Legion World Office of Security.
Lil' Matlock sits strapped into a booster chair behind his desk. "Ah! There you are," he says as he looks up and sees Dedman standing in front of him. "Back from the dead, eh? Did you find him?"
"Yes. Yes I did," Dedman replies wearily.
"And--?" Lil' Matlock prompts.
"And he put the memories of what happened in here," and Dedman points to his head. "But I can't access them. They're, I dunno, locked or something. It may be a reflexive defense for me because the pain of them being put in there was pretty bad! No telling what having them flood into my brain at once would do."
"Yes," Lil' Matlock says as he thinks aloud, "we may need a psychic to extract or interpret them." He looks at his Omnicom and taps it. "We currently don't have any psychic adepts active currently in the Office...hmmm, gotta rectify that soon...but..." He taps it further and his eyes dance over a list of names crawling before him, until they suddenly stop. "...YES! I think she could help us, if she will..."
"Who?" Dedman asks.
"Candace Ames. Shadowplay in Candlelight Lass."
"Shady?" Dedman responds wistfully. He always had a special fondness for her. "But she's pretty much retired from the LMB and isn't even on Legion World."
"No," Lil' Matlock acknowledges, "but she's never retired from being a great person! And I know she'll want to help us find out who killed poor Hugh."
"Yes, you're probably right. But...where is she?"
"She's back on Earth. Metropolis. So...road trip?"
"Road Trip!" Dedman exclaims with a grin.
-------------------- "Suck it, depressos!"--M. Lash
From: The Underbelly of Society | Registered: Jul 2003
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Eryk Davis Ester
Created from the Cosmic Legends of the Universe!
posted
GREG EVIGAN ISLAND
"Of course Cobie knows that I am deathly afraid of sharks. Especially ones that can run around on land."
"I would be happy to take charge of his training, sir."
"Would you, Soho? That would really be great! He's full of a lot of rage, though. It's not going to be easy."
"Is he that much different than I was when I first arrived here? Besides, I know you have more urgent matters to deal with, Mr. Ester."
"That's for certain, Soho! That reminds me that I've got to check on Lucy! If you'll excuse me..."
"Of course, sir... and as for you mighty Sharklad, we begin the process of getting your great rage and propensity for terror under control... under my control that is! For little does Eryk Davis Ester suspect my true identity is that of his old enemy Porta-John!"
From: Liberty City | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
The Contested Territories – formerly the Dark Oval area conquered by the Triumvirate and now a part of the United Planets
“Well, that looks like the last of the armies, heading back home while Cobie’s border force digs in and keeps their ‘peace-keeping’ force here,” said Abin, looking into space.
“I’m glad,” said Spellbinder, with an evident look of relief in her eyes. “Now we can move forward. Thanks for agreeing to give me the ride to Weber’s World, Abin,” she added.
“No problem. Where are you gals off to again?”
Space Tart smiled. “Top secret,” she said, “but don’t worry, I’ll call if I need someone to lend me their hands…”
As Spacey turned to Crujectra, the Princess replied “I’m meeting Actor and Kippers and although its more ceremonial than anything, its still important.” And under her breath out of Abin’s ear range she added “…and so was this…” with a smile, as she thought about the last two days she’d spent with Cobalt Kid here and the change it had on him.
The Dark Oval
“I don’t get it Cobie,” said Jailbait Lass, “you just made this hugely dramatic showing—one might say overly dramatic—of leaving the Dark Oval, and now we’re going in deeper?”
He smiled, and his old features almost seemed to come through his horrifically scarred face. “You said you wanted answers Lolita, and well, now you’ll get them. At last you can understand what this is all about…conspiracies, wars, mushrooms, canisters and all…”
S.H.A.G., Cobalt Kid’s artificial hip-hop robot sidekick chimed in, “dag playas! And off we be to the Black Sun quadrant of the Dark Oval!”
The Borders of the Barbarian Hordes and the United Planets
“Good,” said Dominus, the grotesquely large half-Khund/half Barbarian Khan. “Peace between the Dark Oval and the United Planets,” he replied, throwing the holo-news to the ground, “means it’ll be us, their so-called Barbarians, that will let them know what an enemy truly is.”
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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