I am entirely convinced that our beloved leader STU has fallen victim to an insidious charade engineered by the Royal Inquisitor and aided and abetted by the opportunistic and worst-dressed-list habituée Winema Wazzo.

STU's mind has been controlled by the Inquisitor, gradually at first and completely for the past two days. He is an innocent dupe in this crisis. Furthermore, the fact that we are now only hearing from his STUbots, Winema and the Inquisitor suggests that he is being held entirely against his will. No doubt he made an heroic attempt to break the mind control, and failed, only to face complete and utter subjugation.

Noble citizens of Legion World! FREE STU!

(P.S. Free nosh at the Psyonian Embassy this evening, with parlor games.)

The old "mind-controlled by the Inquistor" scenario, eh?

And here I was convinced that STU was just suffering from post-fatigue (which is best cured, of course, by resetting his post count to 0 )

While I have no doubt that the Royal Inquisitor, Winema and the StuBots are helping control Stu, I can't shake the feeling that we're missing something here. That maybe there is a greater evil lurking around controlling Stu as well?

So far, all we have to go on that Stu isn't insane is that he was once very dear friend to all of us. I find myself having to give him the benefit of the doubt, he was once a very kind puppy/duck/monkey. Yet, he has slowly slipped into the maniacal tyrant! I truly hope he's being mind controlled and hasn't just lost his mind.

Not only do I want my freedom, I want my fried back! Free Stu!

<psst, EDE, FC, the resistance meets soon to discuss our plans...>

Smells like Brain Globes and Gil Dishpans to me.

I also miss the days when STUpuppy use to hang out and SHAKES and overindulge. Sad to see how things have taken a turn for the worse. If it turns out that someone is controlling him against his will they will be made to pay and pay dearly!

Perhaps I should have my brother, the Crusader, check him out. He IS a powerful telepath, after all...

There's nothing to see here! These aren't the droide you're looking for! Move along!

I just figured he went bonkers trying to get the Pocket Universe up and running on schedule.

My good people... perhaps it is all of you who have been mind-controlled?

After all, nothing's really changed from before. I started construction of the mansion the day after I took office. And I've always had online "crushes."

And all these disappearing people you speak of -- why, Kid Prime is doing quite well! I saw him posting away happily on the Anywhere Machine just a few minutes ago. I've seen Jinx up and about as well!

Frankly, I've been puzzled at the sudden escalation in paranoia and violence among the LW populace -- breaking and entering into the private areas of my home; destroying my personal property; and slandering my good name!

Perhaps a powerful telepath or magic-user has everyone else in Legion World under a delusional spell...? Just some food for thought, my friends.

Hmmmmm....Nahhhh!

I've always said that you were among the brightest in this bunch, EDE.

Mr. Ester! I was just looking for you. He Who Wanders recently handed me a number of videotapes he found in a secret compartment in the Deputy's office. I believe they were from your term...?

Anyway, I haven't viewed them or anything (of course I'd never do anything like that!), but I suspect they contain valuable secrets that you may wish to safeguard. Why don't you meet me behind SHAKES at midnight, and I'll hand them over...?

Jeepers! I wondered what happened to those! I was going to send my collection of all the zany accidents that happened while I was Deputy Leader in for a special episode of Legion World's Funniest Home Videos, but I must have left the tapes in the office!

I would really appreciate getting them back, though! Perhaps you're a swell guy after all!

"Accidents," eh? You looked like you knew exactly what you were doing...!

But let's meet behind SHAKES (don't tell anyone else, OK?), and I'll give you what's coming to you! !

This is a very sad development. It appears, as Cobalt Kid proposed, that there is indeed more to this than meets the eye.

It is difficult to determine the best course of action. Perhaps all freedom-loving posters should simply go deep cover, and appeal to independent international observers to monitor the next election.

I'm glad you brought up the issue of the next election.

There have been widespread rumors recently that LW elections have been cancelled indefinitely.

That is emphatically not true.

In fact, the ballots for the upcoming election have already been printed. Here's a sneak peak:

Please check one of the following boxes:

&#9633; STU
&#9633; STU
&#9633; I prefer to donate my time to a "volunteer" project, such as construction of STU's statue or the basement of the mansion

Poor Stu, I can't tell anymore if someone is controlling him or if he's just really gone insane...

Maybe someone's gone insane while controlling him! That would explain everything!

When I first read the title of this thread, I thought somebody was giving away hearty soup for a minimum fee.

I'm so disappointed it turned into a mind-control/tyranical despot kinda thread. Sigh. Poor us.

Free, hearty soup is available at the Café Cramer. Today: beef and barley or minestrone.

I have to know what's wrong with Stu. The Royal Inquisitor and Winema Wazzo are out of the picture, so we have to figure out if Stu is truly crazy or being controlled by someone or something.

He's called Pov and me to his office, so I'm going in. I just hope he didn't know that Pov was secretly working for me in the Security Office and as part of the resistance.

Everyone, good luck and stay strong!

Be very careful Cobie. No telling what the drooling despot might be capable of at this point!

This is what he's capable of!

No one approach Stu! I've been turned into an ameoba and Pov into a duck!

Be extra careful, the resistance must regroup!

But where? Stu's spies are 'bots are everywhere.

Hey how about here ? No way Stu's spies can get in or that he can use his powers or devices against us there.

LL, do you really think that's a good idea? What will SG think if we all invade your Luv Shak?

She's with us all the way. I'm sure she won't mind.

Sounds good to me LL! The resistance had a couple of good victories today, but Pov and I being changed has been a bit of a setback.

There's still so much to be done, rescuing KP, fighting Stu, and figuring out what's really going on around here...

Welcome members of the rebel alliance!

It's good to question authority in the best of times, and try to change things in the worst of times.

Long Live The Rebellion!!

I hear Stu can make a good hearty soup out of duck and amoeba stock. Now that's a leader for you.

Mmmmm.... Duck Soup.

Now you're talkin'!

On the menu tonight at the Beacon:

Giant Calamari
Poverty Duck à l'orange
Cobalt Ameoba [sic] flambé

Sorry, but the dinner menu was cancelled. I set fire to the kitchen.

FC, you're my hero these days! First you help me defeat the Inquisitor, and now you're making sure all of Stu's schemes are failed!

Viva la resistance!

Maybe we should set up a food kitchen to serve some Bisque d'Bulldog

I'm with you Varalent. These despots need to be shown the door. And there's nothing like a hot bowl of Dog Stew to help them along their way.

People! Giant squids and ducks (and even amoebae, I guess)... but bulldogs...? Yuck!

Stu,

I want you to know that I am behind you all the way. Let these people eat cake.

Hmmm... Minesurfer appears to be playing both sides. Could he be a double agent... a mole... a triple agent... or just confused?

Whatever you decide, FC, I want you to know that I support you 100%.

Just to make it clear: I am in complete agreement with minesurfer's position on things.

Plenty of room on this fence. Who knows, if things go right, EDE or I could end up in charge. Then we'll all have some hamburgers, or whatever ya'll want.

Minesurfer... you're running for office, aren't you?

Gee, I was hoping for some soup too. Oh, well...

I would never run for office. But I would never run from office if it came looking for me.

The whole "Tyrant Stu/Varalent for the people" situation reminded me of a saying that me ole pappy, Bombsurfer, use to say... "With great chaos, comes great opportunity."

Minesurfer, you're a true politician!

Ahh, memories. Fond memories.

Good thing those dark days are behind us!

.
.
.

[sinister chuckle]

Oh, excuse me... just clearing my throat.

[disappears into the shadows]

Free STU? Where do I get one?

And are we limited to just one?

I'd like a matched set. They make great bookends...

Instructions on how to acquire your very own Free Stu are available on ebay for a mere buy it now! price of $99.99
...plus shipping and handling...

Are Free STUs replacing the ceej fad?

We may have misinterpreted this. STU could be unjustly imprisoned somewhere and we need to free him. Maybe tomorrow after the Olympics are over? Or does anyone have time later in the week?

I guess that's possible.

When we find him, do we get to keep him? He's still free, right?

Ceej's aren't a fad, they're a lifestyle choice.

Sigh, I miss being Giant Cobalt Amoeba and fighting the never ending fight against STU.

Yes, indeed.

It's certainly a good thing all that dark, sinister energy has been purged from my system, isn't it?

Yes, I think we can all enjoy a long, carefree laugh of relief!

[STU offers a somewhat unconvincing, vaguely menacing chuckle]

Well, see you all later. I need to take care of... some things.

Did anyone already say, "I'll take a bowl?"

[grumble]Now I want some free STEW, dammit!!![/grumble]