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USS Feynman SEP 1996: Difference between revisions
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"Who are you?" Maril asked, still wary. | "Who are you?" Maril asked, still wary. | ||
<I am Yikata, the Wise One, as my tribe calls me. This sword which you hold is called the Stikor. It belonged to my great-grandfather, Ebzelo, another Wise One, who was able to change his shape into human form. No being has ever been able to hold it before you. I will allow you to mount me, as you are obviously a being of some power.> | <nowiki><I am Yikata, the Wise One, as my tribe calls me. This sword which you hold is called the Stikor. It belonged to my great-grandfather, Ebzelo, another Wise One, who was able to change his shape into human form. No being has ever been able to hold it before you. I will allow you to mount me, as you are obviously a being of some power.></nowiki> | ||
Maril still didn't trust this dragon, but he realized it might be prudent to have an ally here, even if this was on the holodeck. So, with some effort, Maril pulled himself onto the dragon, still keeping the sword, Stikor, out and ready. | Maril still didn't trust this dragon, but he realized it might be prudent to have an ally here, even if this was on the holodeck. So, with some effort, Maril pulled himself onto the dragon, still keeping the sword, Stikor, out and ready. | ||
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"So," Maril started. "Could you tell me more about yourself?" | "So," Maril started. "Could you tell me more about yourself?" | ||
<Very well. This area has been dragon land for many millennia. Only recently did men even venture here. They do not dare do much, though, for the dragon resistance is much too strong.> | <nowiki><Very well. This area has been dragon land for many millennia. Only recently did men even venture here. They do not dare do much, though, for the dragon resistance is much too strong.></nowiki> | ||
"So, there are very few humans here?" | "So, there are very few humans here?" | ||
<That is correct. Each tribe of dragons roams a huge area of land, and sometimes sea, as a tribe of dragons takes a great toll on the surrounding land.> | <nowiki><That is correct. Each tribe of dragons roams a huge area of land, and sometimes sea, as a tribe of dragons takes a great toll on the surrounding land.></nowiki> | ||
"It sounds very convenient. What about you yourself?" | "It sounds very convenient. What about you yourself?" | ||
<I am getting to that. As I said, my great-grandfather was a Wise one, as were his ancestors, as were his descendants, as am I. The title is passed down from eldest to eldest. Of course, when my great-grandfather was alive, the humans were only a group of villagers along the seacoasts. Creatures ruled.> | <nowiki><I am getting to that. As I said, my great-grandfather was a Wise one, as were his ancestors, as were his descendants, as am I. The title is passed down from eldest to eldest. Of course, when my great-grandfather was alive, the humans were only a group of villagers along the seacoasts. Creatures ruled.></nowiki> | ||
"How long ago *was* that?" | "How long ago *was* that?" | ||
<Approximately 22,000 years ago.> | <nowiki><Approximately 22,000 years ago.></nowiki> | ||
"And how old are you?" | "And how old are you?" | ||
<Two thousand, three hundred, and forty two years old.> | <nowiki><Two thousand, three hundred, and forty two years old.></nowiki> | ||
Maril was astounded. "And how old is that, for dragons?" | Maril was astounded. "And how old is that, for dragons?" | ||
<I am entering middle age, but I am the oldest of my tribe. Wise ones usually are.> | <nowiki><I am entering middle age, but I am the oldest of my tribe. Wise ones usually are.></nowiki> | ||
"Egabo when he first saw the sky...." | "Egabo when he first saw the sky...." | ||
The dragon's eyes shifted warily, seemingly contemplating | The dragon's eyes shifted warily, seemingly contemplating Maril's last metaphor. | ||
"Never mind, dragon. I speak in metaphors." | "Never mind, dragon. I speak in metaphors." | ||
<Ahh, I see. At any rate, to finish my story, I have gathered many potions and spells over my life. Recently, a group of Rogue Dragons have attempted | <nowiki><Ahh, I see. At any rate, to finish my story, I have gathered many potions and spells over my life. Recently, a group of Rogue Dragons have attempted to take over our roaming grounds. Unfortunately, most of our warriors died around 100 years ago. Most of our member are less than 300 years old and inexperienced.></nowiki> | ||
to take over our roaming grounds. Unfortunately, most of our warriors died around 100 years ago. Most of our member are less than 300 years old and | |||
inexperienced.> | |||
"It seems it will probably be a hard battle." | "It seems it will probably be a hard battle." | ||
<Yes, but the Rogues lack the benefit of magic, which we have. We also have a being which has taken Stikor from the ground, and in order to do that, you must be formidable.> | <nowiki><Yes, but the Rogues lack the benefit of magic, which we have. We also have a being which has taken Stikor from the ground, and in order to do that, you must be formidable.></nowiki> | ||
Maril was about to answer to the contrary, but Yitaka stopped him. | Maril was about to answer to the contrary, but Yitaka stopped him. | ||
<Here is our home cave. Our Dragonlord is there.> | <nowiki><Here is our home cave. Our Dragonlord is there.></nowiki> | ||
Without warning, the red dragon swooped down. Maril thought that they would crash, but as they neared the ground, Yitaka slowed his descent, and | Without warning, the red dragon swooped down. Maril thought that they would crash, but as they neared the ground, Yitaka slowed his descent, and | ||
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This dragon was even larger than Yitaka, but obviously much younger. He was a light blue and held his shoulders up high. There was no mistaking this for anyone but the Dragonlord. | This dragon was even larger than Yitaka, but obviously much younger. He was a light blue and held his shoulders up high. There was no mistaking this for anyone but the Dragonlord. | ||
<Lord Alanth, I have returned.> | <nowiki><Lord Alanth, I have returned.></nowiki> | ||
<And who is this rider? I thought you let no one ride you.> Alanth's booming voice was very different from Yitaka's slow, wise voice. | <And who is this rider? I thought you let no one ride you.> Alanth's booming voice was very different from Yitaka's slow, wise voice. | ||
<I made an exception. This rider drew Stikor from its resting place.> | <nowiki><I made an exception. This rider drew Stikor from its resting place.></nowiki> | ||
Alanth raised an eyebrow. Again, that gesture--it seemed to be almost universal. <Very well. Perhaps he will be useful in the ensuing battle. Wraiths and Rogue Dragons are attacking. We need your magic, Wise One. I am heading for the battle site.> With that, the mighty dragon pushed himself up into the air. That was definitely a strong dragon. | Alanth raised an eyebrow. Again, that gesture--it seemed to be almost universal. <Very well. Perhaps he will be useful in the ensuing battle. Wraiths and Rogue Dragons are attacking. We need your magic, Wise One. I am heading for the battle site.> With that, the mighty dragon pushed himself up into the air. That was definitely a strong dragon. | ||
<Now, I must gather my potions,> Yitaka told Maril. | <nowiki><Now, I must gather my potions,> Yitaka told Maril.</nowiki> | ||
The dragon and his rider headed into a small cavern off the main cave. It held shelves and shelves of potions and books--Yitaka was a Wise One. | The dragon and his rider headed into a small cavern off the main cave. It held shelves and shelves of potions and books--Yitaka was a Wise One. | ||
<Sleep,> Yitaka sent as he picked up one potion and put it in a satchel. <Confusion. Invisibility, for us, of course, not them. Stun. Cold. Do you notice my glasses?> | <nowiki><Sleep,> Yitaka sent as he picked up one potion and put it in a satchel. <Confusion. Invisibility, for us, of course, not them. Stun. Cold. Do you notice my glasses?></nowiki> | ||
Maril craned his neck and looked at the dragon's eyes. They, were, indeed, covered by glasses. Maril nodded. | Maril craned his neck and looked at the dragon's eyes. They, were, indeed, covered by glasses. Maril nodded. | ||
<They allow me to focus on one creature and cast certain spells which I have memorized. They are one of my most prized possessions.> | <nowiki><They allow me to focus on one creature and cast certain spells which I have memorized. They are one of my most prized possessions.></nowiki> | ||
Maril could only nod quietly. | Maril could only nod quietly. | ||
<There. I have all my potions that I will use. Let me see if I can summon a view of the battle in this mirror.> | <nowiki><There. I have all my potions that I will use. Let me see if I can summon a view of the battle in this mirror.></nowiki> | ||
Maril watched the mirror. Suddenly, it changed to the battle. Alanth was just about to fly onto the scene. | Maril watched the mirror. Suddenly, it changed to the battle. Alanth was just about to fly onto the scene. | ||
<I must take myself there immediately.> | <nowiki><I must take myself there immediately.></nowiki> | ||
Maril felt a wave of dizziness and, when he opened his eyes again, they wer above the raging battle. | Maril felt a wave of dizziness and, when he opened his eyes again, they wer above the raging battle. | ||