From quinn@fazigu.org Mon Dec 23 11:08:30 2002 Return-path: Envelope-to: quinn@fazigu.org Received: from constr1-host1.corridor.net ([66.100.236.130] helo=yami.57thstreet.com) by requiem with smtp (Exim 3.36 #1 (Debian)) id 18QV82-0000WR-00 for ; Mon, 23 Dec 2002 11:08:30 -0500 Received: (qmail 61661 invoked from network); 23 Dec 2002 16:14:10 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO moo.ghostmoo.org) (127.0.0.1) by localhost with SMTP; 23 Dec 2002 16:14:10 -0000 Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2002 10:14:10 -0400 From: "Quinn@Ghostwheel" To: quinn@fazigu.org Subject: Ghostwheel Message(s) 50 from *storylines (#5236) X-Mail-Agent: Ghostwheel (moo.ghostmoo.org 6969) Message-Id: Status: RO Content-Length: 2210 Lines: 45 Message 50 from *storylines (#5236): Date: Thu Nov 14 23:02:34 2002 EST From: Jeo (#24369) To: *storylines (#5236) Subject: a rude awakening "wha--" *SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE* Jeo struggled out of the dream where she'd watched a missile flying at her into a wakefulness where her mech shuddered. The first impact woke her, but she was so rattled it took her precious seconds to react. Alarms were screaming their warnings at an ear shattering level, demanding her instant attention. The automatic defenses on the Jolly Roger engaged, making Jeo's maneuvers through the cockpit all the more difficult. Literally tumbling into the pilot seat, she shook off the last of the sleep hazing her mind as she fumbled the belts around herself. Pausing to jab a finger down on the board in front of her, she silenced the alarms. "System Report!" The mech again rocked back on its feet, jolting her hard against the console before she got the last of the harness locked into position. 'Base system nearing critical overload. Estimate 49 seconds remaining. Serious damage sustained to quadrants 3, 7, and 8 --' "Initiate Scan!" A holographic image jumped into existance, giving her the briefest view of the attacking mech. With another abrupt jolt, the whole console went dark. Lights which had just been blinking their agonized warnings suddenly flickered and died before her eyes as something sizzled in the sudden silence. Knowing that death was about to descend, Jeo leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. The last moments washed over her... .. and death never arrived. Drawing in a deep, shuddering breath, she calmed her heart. Finally the smell of electrical fires and the ticking of cooling metal began to register. It took quite a while to get the backup systems running. The extensive damage almost prevented her from limping the Jolly Roger back to the basecamp. There, she was met with questions. She said nothing, however, until the rescued memory chip was in her hand and she stalked over to Llyr. "'Ere's the cause f'r the damage." Depositing the memory chip into his hand, she turned and strode stiffly back to her damaged mech. --------------------------