NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/alt/callahan/17397

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-23 | 5.8 KB

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From: [e-mail] (Thyra)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Re: And now, for something completely different.
Followup-To: alt.callahans
Date: 23 Jan 1993 08:04:50 GMT
Organization: the Polyhedron Group
Lines: 107
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: aaa.uoregon.edu

In article <[e-mail]>,
[e-mail] (Fred Sloniker) wrote:
>
> (Yes, it's another post from the postless Andrea!)
>
> >Psi-receivers in the Bar feel their sensibilities pounded by a sudden wash of
> >unnameable sensation/emotion complexes. The sensations resolve themselves into
> >some cold and distant analogue of disorientation/bewilderment,
> >followed by a burst of surprise/recognition and then into a synapse-twisting
> >effort at communication of ideas.
> >-=> identitypulse-"Biologist"-query <=- The creature extends a clawtip slowly
> >towards the white squirrelmorph in an inquiring gesture.
> >-=> selfidentitypulse-"Escapee" <=- The alien retracts the claw.
> >-=> Urgentrequestinformation-currentlocation-methodoftransfertocurrentlocation
> ><=-

Thyra sends a -tightly- focused telepathic burst at the alien. <<CALM!
There is no threat! Transfer method unidentified teleportal. Agent cause
unknown. Can assist your return, if assistance required. FRIEND.>>


>
> (With some editing by me.)
>
> Laz blinks, then frowns, as he tries to get the gist of the telepathic
> communication.  "Umm, I don't *think* we've met..." he says.  "I'm called
> Lazuli, Lawrence Lazuli."
>
> -=> puzzlement-"Lazuli"-but-not-"Lazuli"?  not-"Biologist"? <=-
>
> "Um, no.  I work at a hospital, handling hazardous waste..."  The alien, faced
> with someone who is, by all appearances, someone it knows, yet claims not to
> recognize it, is understandably confused.  Laz grins slightly.  "Maybe we met
> in an alternate reality?" he suggests.
>
> The alien ponders this, scanning Laz again.  -=> Possible.  Similar-but-not-
> identical. <=-
>
> Laz nods quietly.  "Anyway, this is Callahan's Crosstime Saloon.  It's..."
> He thinks.  "It's a place where others come to meet and talk."
>
> -=> A Nest-of-others? <=-
>
> "Um, yeah, sorta.  Anyway, it looks like you got teleported here... and you
> took out a chunk of the wall in the process.  We really ought to fix that."
> Laz grins.
>
> -=> reason-for-repair-query <=-
>
> "Umm, this is -their- Nest. You don't allow Nests to remain damaged, do you?"
>
> (And back to unedited stuff...)
>
> >-=> negative-emphatic <=- The massive creature turns away with eerie insectile
> >grace, facing the semicircular gap in the wall. It takes a few steps forward,
> >poking its head out of the hole and scanning the brickwork outside. It loops
> >its tail forward, and whips it to and fro, too fast for any eye to see. From
> >the joints between the armoured segments of the tail, microscopic jets of
> >liquid resin spin forth, drying to form at first a thin translucent web, which
> >as the creature adds more layers, rapidly thickens and darkens. When the resin
> >is the same thickness as the wall, the creature slows its passes, making the
> >final coat the same colour and texture as the white plaster of the interior
> >wall. Laz saunters unhurriedly out to check the external wall. It is quite
> >indistinguishable to the eye from the rest of the brickwork, though he
> >suspects it will be if anything more sturdy than the original wall. Laz nods
> >to the creature as he re-enters the Inn. "Nice camouflage."
> >The towering creature swivels its head toward Laz and bares a glittering arc
> >of lethal fangs. It takes you a moment to realise that the thing is trying to
> >imitate a smile.
>
> >At this point, another biped (this one taller and without the keratin-stranded
> >exterior) approaches the Alien. It tilts its head quizzically at her,
> >following the mental emanations behind her words rather than the words
> >themselves. "So, what's a nice creature like you doing in a place like this?"
> >The alien hisses something complicated. It is clear its voice is inadequate to
> >any attempt to mimic human speech. It considers a moment, then cranes its
> >head forward and sends -=> reasonfortransfer. identitypulse-"Captor"
> >(hatehaterevengelust) motivation-useof"Escapee"as bioweapon. Speculation-
> >testof bioweaponcapability-against-species-present. "Escapee"motivation-
> >revenge-on "Captor". "Escapee"inactivity-frustrates"Captor"motivation. <=-
> >"Ummmm, I'm Shonias, is there anything in particular you like to drink?"
> >-=> Can-ingest-anyorganic.  Selfmobileorganic-preferred-dueto-more useful/
> >survival-favourable genecodes. Selfimmobile/photosyntheticorganic genecodes
> >lesser-utility but chemical-content-life-sustaining when selfmobileorganic
> >unavailable. <=-
>
> (And me again.)
>
> Laz watches, and 'listens', to the byplay curiously.  "Self-immobile..." he
> mutters, trying to puzzle out the meaning, then ahs.  "Um, I don't think
> they sell live animals here, but I think we can get you a salad."
>
> -=> "Salad?" <=-
>
> "Um, self-immobile photo-synthetic organics, cut into small pieces to aid
> our digestive systems.  Possibly with a flavor-enhancing spice coating.
> How about it, Mike?  Do we have a salad?"
>
> Laz notices what the creature's drool is doing to the rug, and makes sure
> his arm isn't underneath.  (:3

Thyra gestures toward the floor under the alien, causing the floor to glow
faintly blue. The acid stops burning the floor, and further acid drips
don't -quite- seem to reach the floor.

Purrs,
Thyra