[
Changing Times
]
The Underground Hangout
Altura Altera is standing near the entrance, he looks perplexed.
Dasher comes in through the doors, zips into the Mess hall and comes back out
with a bag of chips, "What's shakin'?"
Altura Altera says, "Who keeps putting up these messages without signing
them."
Altura Altera spins around to the door then back to look at Dasher, "Well, I'm
not really sure. Seems our Metal Men have branched out into other elements.
Which is bad."
Dasher shrugs a bit, then eats a chip, "I know. Lookout told me about
Phosphorus. Is.." she stops. "Um, the lawyer that got hurt, anyone know if
she's doing better?"
Altura Altera says, "Haven't heard. I heard there's an army of guards at the
hospital."
Dasher nods and sits down, "I haven't seen Lookout all day. I hope he's all
right."
Altura Altera says, "I do too. I wonder where he's been."
Dasher gets up, "I should show you something in the training room."
Altura Altera says, "Oh? Alright, lead the way, Mademoiselle."
Dasher walks a bit with Altura, "How are you holding up?"
Altura Altera follows Dasher into the training room. "So? What's the big news?
Dasher tells him, "There isn't any. I just wanted to talk to you alone,
Hermano. Make sure you're okay and all that."
Altura Altera says, "Oh. I'm much better. Solace stopped by and treated Gen.
Lookout went up to get him for me."
Dasher smiles, "I'm glad. But I worry that Solace will be worn out. I can't
imagine the requests he must get all day. So, she'll be okay?"
Altura Altera says, "I'm good but I've got a million things to do now. I've
probably got to take everyone to Florida again and I've got to get Gen's
clothes to her and I've got to buy a ring and I've got to plan a vacation and
I've got to finish my finals and oh lord... How am I ever going to get it all
done?"
Dasher blinks, her mind picking out what a woman would, "A ring?"
Altura Altera says, "Well, yeah, that's what you give someone that you're
going to marry. I would think *you* knew that."
Dasher starts running a circle around Altura, "You're gonna pop the question
to her oh my gosh does she know am I the first you told if you want to stay
home I can drive the boat or something maybe we can get a plane it's so
romantic!"
Altura Altera says, "Well, I kinda told her already but I said that I wanted
it to be official with a real ring and I have to introduce her to my folks
first. She's probably needing a few more days in the hospital. I guess you
already knew that Lookout's said he'll look into the TV guy's disappearance."
Dasher skids to a halt, "No, I didn't know that. Is that what the boat's for?"
Altura Altera says, "Si. But Solace hasn't mentioned it to *me*. Just Ed. So
*I* don't know."
Dasher rubs her chin, "Oh, good. Let me catch up. Okay, so since you don't
know it, I don't know it now, too. I dig it."
Altura Altera says, "Right, so we act surprised."
Dasher rushes forward and hugs Altura, "I'm so excited for you!"
Altura Altera says, "I am too. I can't believe I asked so soon and suddenly."
Dasher smiles, "Most people do it like that. Date about 6 months, pop the
question, then marry a year later."
Altura Altera says, "Well, I've known her a while."
Dasher nods, "Hey man, I think it's great!"
Lookout blinks. "Hey, people, what's up?"
Altura Altera says, "Oh, Hi Lookout. Just telling Dasher that I'm going to be
buying a ring."
Lookout says, "Oh, that's good... a ring for what?"
Dasher looks up, "LOOKOUT!" and disengages from Altura, making a beeline for
the psychedlic telestheist. She hugs him, then dips and kisses him. "I missed
you."
Altura Altera says, "What do you normally buy a ring for?"
Lookout hugs and kisses. "I missed you too. Uh, dunno. Only bought a ring
when... oh."
Dasher grins, "Isn't it exciting?"
Lookout says, "Oh, so -that-'s why Genessa was asking me about marriage
things... By the way, did Solace go there?"
Altura Altera says, "Guy can spot a hair at a mile but misses the obvious.
Well, I'm here instead of there. Yes, he did. And thanks. Thanks a lot."
Dasher raises an eyebrow beneath the mask, "I guess it wasn't a surprise for
her?"
Lookout nods and looks at Dasher. "So we'll need to make a trip to Miami."
Dasher nods, "So I heard. I can try to do the boat, or we could fly, if Altura
wants to spend time here."
Altura Altera says, "Actually, I think she was a little surprised."
Dasher grins, "That's the grooviest!"
Altura Altera says, "I can drive. Or maybe you could ask Eduardo to take you.
He might take Genessa to Miami for some time away from this island and all the
weirdness."
Dasher nods, "That could be good for them. Is the Miami thing just sort of
recon, or are we talking Boca Gato here?"
Altura Altera says, "I think it's Sherlock Holmesing."
Dasher rubs Lookout's back, "Then he's your man. And wither he goest, I go,
too."
Altura Altera says, "So, are you two going to tell the others you are an item
or just have them talk behind your backs some more?"
Dasher blinks, "I thought everyone knew."
Lookout mms. "Actually, we need to look for the Argent guy."
Altura Altera regards Lookout and says, "And how do you plan to look for him?"
Lookout says, "Uhm, I dunno. I thought of starting at his house and trying to
track him."
Altura Altera says, "Like Sherlock Holmes?"
Altura Altera looks at the Rear Exit, "Where did that come from?"
Lookout says, "More like Rin Tin Tin than Sherlock Holmes, but yeah."
Dasher tells Altura, "It's been there since Lodestone broke it open wayy back
in 68."
Altura Altera says, "You know, I really don't spend enough time in here."
Altura Altera says, "So, are we all caught up? I saw Solace meditating and I'd
like to catch folks when they come in to get things organized for the cases
going on."
Dasher nods, "Sure thing. We can go back to the big room. And I need a refill
on food."
Altura Altera thinks . o O (What else is new?)
Lookout nods. "Onward, heroes."
Dasher takes off in a shot, a gust of wind following as she carries Lookout by
accident.
Back in the Common Room.....
Starcat says, "Peacetree's got a head full of slogans and he's convinced he's
on a Mission From God."
Dasher speeds into the room, drops Lookout off, then zips into the Mess Hall.
El Cid turns to Starcat. "Well, lets' think this through. Maybe we could see
if the Villillis have some sort of link to Aguila, since we've got enough to
put their suppliers as involved with Peachtree."
Altura Altera walk in behind the doteing duo. "Hi. What's up?"
Starcat says, "Go after the pushers? It's not a bad idea regardless. See if
anyone in particular gets stuff through to him regardless, perhaps?"
Lookout falls on a sofa. "Ooof!"
Lookout says, "I think Aguila is fighting Villilli."
Lookout says, "Lillilli."
Captain Victory enters from his fervent patrol
Core says, "Lillillil?"
Starcat says, "Hmm. I'd have no objection to Aguila if that's all he did."
Altura Altera says, "So that's the other group. The Vanillilis."
Dasher comes out of the Mess Hall with a platter piled high with sandwiches.
"Dig in, if you eat and you're hungry." She grabs one and starts eating,
"Sorry to be rude, was a long patrol and I'm starved."
Core says, "That sounds like a bad rock band."
Starcat sniffs. "Got a chicken sandwich in there?"
Altura Altera reaches across the room and takes three sandwiches off the top.
"Thanks.
Dasher nods, "Yeah *mmff* chicken roast beef and turkey and spam and there's
some with all on it."
Starcat bounces over to check, and snags a chicken sandwich. "Thanks." She
giggles at Core again. "Aren't they -all- bad?"
Captain Victory says, "Greetings fellow patriots what is happening on your
individual fronts in the fight to protect our fair island."
Dasher swallows a bit of sandwich, "If I understood what you just said..I was
just doing the usual."
Starcat heads back to her couch with her sandwich. "We're refueling."
El Cid turns to Dasher with a chuckle. "Everyone seems to be having a good
time refueling at least..." he says to Captain Victory. "More Aguila problems,
Victory, we think..."
Core shakes his head. "Not all." Core leaves the sandwiches for the others.
"Has anyone actually seen Aguila?"
Altura Altera says, "As most of you know, The people after Rikki are now using
elements other than metals. This is very bad news."
Dasher runs her forearm across her mouth to wipe it, then takes another
sandwich, "I haven't seen him. He's seen me. But we have to go to Miami, I
think."
Captain Victory says, "Any new information about the E-Agents"
Altura Altera grows to pop all three sandwiches in his mouth at once. He chews
them up and swallows them quickly. "Very filling. Thanks Dasher."
Captain Victory says, "Wasn't El Aguila a female.. or did I misinterpret one
of the descriptions"
El Cid turns to Altura Altera. "Well, in that case, Titanium will be trouble,
and Argon will likely not be..." He says congenially.
Dasher nods, "Winter says Aguila's a girl."
Starcat shakes her head. "Nothing. I've been tracking pushers and trying to
figure out who's backing that idiot Peacetree."
Altura Altera says, "Sodium, Chloride. Lots of nasty poisons."
Dasher grins at Starcat, "Isn't he the grooviest? He's like a candidate for
the youth."
Core says, "And Plutonium will kill us all." Core rumbles. "Let's hope it
doesn't come down to that." He turns and peers at Dasher. "You too? He's a
mind controlled puppet.""
Starcat says, "He's a candidate for a straitjacket.... drugged-out freak."
Lookout gets a sandwich for himself.
Lookout says, "Maybe they find the guys first and give them atomic nicknames
later?"
Dasher nods, "Well, yeah, but he's not an old-fogey. You know, it's kinda
funny. He isn't hurting Vallejo at all, but he's taking votes away from
Timmerman."
Starcat grins. "Can't argue with that."
El Cid turns to Dasher for a moment. "There's a difference between groovy, and
mentally manipulated, Dasher..." he says calmly. "This guy is under the
control of someone else."
Dasher eyes El Cid, "You sure of that? I mean, when someone's strung out, they
seem possessed."
Captain Victory says, "I for some reason feel there isn't a agent to fit every
element.. if that was so, why do they keep attacking with only one agent at a
time.. if they knew capturing her was to be a problem why not send more and
why are they leaving their agents to rot, when we take them down."
Altura Altera resumes normal size and reaches again, into the messhall. His
head follows suit returning with a dozen bottles of soda as well as once
bottle of milk. "He's a quack. But he makes Anna look more conservative."
Starcat says, "Intermittently. We talked to him on the street the other day.
It was all peace, love, can't we all just get along rubbish. But during the
debate, he was coherent and if not persuasive, at least not obviously a flake.
Like someone else was pulling his strings."
Dasher asks, "Or just sober?"
Lookout says, "He wants to get rid of superheroes, you know."
Starcat says, "I had the children watching him. He wasn't sober. He takes
stuff all the time."
Dasher nods, "That'll hurt him in the election."
Dasher thinks . o O (She has kids?)
Altura Altera says, "I heard that one too. He's a loon but dangerous."
Core says, "Dasher, this 'candidate' has already stated that he's getting his
ideas from a black male. Either he's had one hit of acid too many, or he's
being mind controlled."
Core says, "A black man that speaks to him in his dreams."
El Cid turns to Dasher for a moment. "There is nothing worse than a man who is
a little crazy trying to get himself elected..." He says quietly. "I have a
feeling it's our shapeshifter in the so-called body suit."
Starcat clears her throat. "He -claims- he's getting his ideas from God. Who
appears in his dreams as a black man."
Dasher rubs her chin, "And you think Aguila's this black guy?"
Starcat says, "I suspect that Aguila's controlling him. Wouldn't take
Peacetree's description as reality."
Starcat nods quietly at El Cid's comment. "Deutschland, 1933...."
Core says, "No.. that much struck me as real. For one, he couldn't describe
him."
Captain Victory says, "Here's a question why would Aguila control Peacetree,
when there are more likely targets who have a better chance to win."
Starcat says, "As a spoiler?"
Altura Altera says, "He's not a factor. Other than he's making Vallejo's views
more moderate. 'Peachtree's a lunatic but Vallejo makes sense.' As opposed to
seeing her views as radical."
Starcat says, "What if he wants Vallejo to win? Peacetree pulls votes from
Timmerman."
Core says, "Perhaps because he didn't expect Peacetree to be a moron and spill
the beans. People would notice of one of the major candidates suddenly changed
platform."
Lookout says, "What makes you think Aguila -isn't- manipulating the other
candidates?"
Lookout says, "But that would be silly, he'd be stealing the votes off his
other puppet."
Altura Altera says, "Communist Russia has votes too. Vote for Comrade 1 or
Comrade 2."
Captain Victory says, "Is the reason for the possible mind control of
Peacetree becuase he's more supsceptable do to the drug use making him weaker
willed"
El Cid turns to Altura Altera. "Well, that's it, then.." he says calmly.
"Altura, that IS the answer. Aguila wants what Vallejo wants. To have the
superbeings logged and cataloged..." He says calmly. "The goal isn't to pull
votes from Timmerman, or to make Vallejo win. It's to get that bill passed.
Only Timmerman isn't that interested in the bill. If Peacetree wins, the
heroes are "abolished." If Vallejo wins, we all put on gold stars, pink
triangles, and red circles."
Starcat snickers. "More like vote for Comrade #1 or vote to go to Siberia."
Dasher winces at El Cid, "You make us sound like Lucky Charms."
Altura Altera says, "Peachtree is a decoy. He's just out there to distract the
simple minded."
Starcat says, "More like undesirables in Nazi Germany, Dasher. You need to
study your history better."
Altura Altera offers the others a soda. He offers Starcat the milk.
Dasher rubs her chin, "I guess so." She takes another sandwich.
Altura Altera turns to El Cid and says, "Fix that drinking problem of yours
yet?"
Core takes a soda.. and a sandwhich. The food disappears down his maw in a
rather disturbing rate.
El Cid turns to Dasher. "Those were the markings the Nazis used for Jews,
same-sex preferrers (He mentions this with some nervousness), and Gypsies..."
He turns to Altura Altera and moves a small hinge. A slat slides open. "I can
take chicken soup through a straw."
Dasher claps, "Hey, you finally make an eating hole in your face."
Starcat says, "If either of them makes it into office, -our- next step is to
block that in court as a civil rights violation. We need to establish links to
those groups politically as soon as possible. Back them now, and we can get
their backing later."
Altura Altera says, "Well, at least enough to be cordial. Want a coke, Cid?"
El Cid chuckles to Dasher. "The metal takes a year to work properly, it isn't
easy. And this is just a straw hole. Designing a whole new helmet, which I'm
also working on...will take another year." He turns to Altura Altera. "How
about some chocolate milk?" He says gently.
Altura Altera says, "Well, then we best hope That ACLU lawyer stays alive and
well because that's what she's doing already."
Dasher looks at Starcat, "You mean back someone like that lawyer that
Phosphorus beat up?"
Starcat sticks her tongue out at AA, but does take the milk. "Well, okay,
that's what I wanted - but you didn't have to -assume- it."
Starcat says, "If needs be. Why not?"
Altura Altera says, "I didn't think Soda would agree with your system."
Lookout sips on the soda and ponders.
Captain Victory stands at ease
Altura Altera says, "Well, I don't know if we have any cocoa, Cid."
Dasher munches, "Okay, *mrph* but Lookout and I need to go find the TV show
guy. Oh, by the way, Altura says we should tell you that we're an item."
Lookout coughs. "Um. Yeah."
El Cid turns to Dasher for a moment. "It was fairly noticeable, Dasher. I may
be old fashioned, but I'm not dumb...' he chuckles.
Starcat purrs. "You make a very nice couple."
Core says, "Then you're mating. Congratulations, I think."
Dasher smiles, "Thanks." She looks at Core, "You sound like Rikki."
Altura Altera says, "But, we don't want this as *Public* knowledge. If the
public knew someone might use that against them. We know that's a hazard."
Dasher nods, "Yeah. Above ground, Lookout and I don't act like this."
Core says, "Really?" Core rumbles a lot. "Thank you." He sounds
vaguelly embarrased."
El Cid nods to Dasher for a moment. "Uh, Dasher?" He says calmly. "You might
want to try a little harder at "not acting like that...""
Altura Altera says, "We've had that talk."
Dasher rolls her eyes, "Do you KNOW what it's like to make love to mentalist?
It's -really- hard to not act like I love him."
Captain Victory choses this time to stare intently at the ceiling.
Altura Altera takes a deep drink from one of his sodas.
El Cid seems taken aback. "Dasher!" He says sharply. "That's not a topic for
polite conversation. Quetzalcoatl's teeth! We're role models for kids..."
Core hrmphs. 'No idea, and Cid is right."
Dasher grumbles and gets more food, "Okay, like, fine. War, not love."
Starcat chuckles. "Nothing wrong with being a healthy role model for a proper
relationship."
Altura Altera says, "And if there was a kid here she wouldn't talk like that.
As is, we're all adults and this is where we let our hair down, So to speak."
Dasher nods, "Yeah! I figured you guys are all grown up, especially Starcat,
since she has kids."
Lookout says, "Yeah, Starcat has... Starcat has kids?"
Starcat looks oddly at Dasher for a moment. "Eh? Oh! Heh. Not -my- children.
-Her- Children."
Dasher blinks, "Oh! Okay."
Altura Altera says, "Her children? Whoa."
Core says, ".er. Children?" Core turns to look at Starcat. "You have
intercourse with your Goddess?""
El Cid looks over to Starcat with a chuckle. "Well, that was a moment of
religious and social confusion..." He says calmly. "Captain? You're staring at
the ceiling..."
Dasher spits out her sandwich.
Captain Victory says, "Just wondering if we should install a ceiling fan."
Dasher starts coughing.
Starcat giggles, finding this amusing. "It depends on your definition. We talk
about things on occasion. The cats are Her Children. I can talk to them, too."
El Cid jerks so hard he almost falls down, his neck turning towards Core with
a motion that could only be described as whiplike, the neckpiece grinding
slightly as he turns a little too sharply. "WHAT?"
Altura Altera says, "I vote against ceiling fans." He stretches his neck to
the ceiling, "Very bad."
Core says, "She said she has intercourse with her Goddess. However that's
possible. Now she says she gives birth to cats. And you stare at ME?"
Lookout coughs. "OK, today is oficially Going Too Far day."
Dasher starts cleaning up, "I guess each to their own, Core." She starts
giggling.
Altura Altera thinks . o O (I wonder how much asprin we have in the first aid
kit?)
Starcat says, "I don't recall saying either of those things the way you seem
to mean them. The cats are Her Children, not mine. And we don't do more than
talk, which is the original definition of ... that word, Core."
Core rumbles. "Oh."
Altura Altera takes a seat in one of the beanbags. "You know, you just don't
get conversations like this in your normal cafe."
Captain Victory says, "A merry band are we..."
Starcat finishes her milk and sandwich. "We're not exactly normal clientele
for a cafe, either."
El Cid turns to Altura Altera for a moment. "Altura, you might want to lower
your neck. Or I will install that ceiling fan..."
Dasher nods, "Before we found this place, we used to hang at Zober's, but that
got dangerous for normals."
Core sits down and steals the last sandwhich. That one disappears just as
quickly as the first.
Altura Altera says, "It would be a waste of effort Cid." His neck resumes
normal shape. "They would just get broken."
Captain Victory says, "Well hopefully Ms. Rikki will make headway on our
communication and information retrieval problem."
El Cid moves over and takes some milk, and gets a straw from the kitchen.
"It's slow going..." He says. "But milk is good for you..." He grins as he
slurps it through the straw. "Besides, I think a milk mustache might itch if I
sealed the hatch after guzzling it."
Dasher chuckles.
Core says, "I noticed someone replaced the chalkboard already. Much better now
we just need to make sure the walls don't get plastered with bits of paper and
sticky tape."
Dasher nods to Core, "It does seem a better system."
Altura Altera says, "Yeah, And on that point. Who's putting stuff up there
unsigned?"
Core says, "That would be me."
Core grunts. "he pencil broke."
Altura Altera says, "Ah, I was wondering about that. Thanks."
Core nods. "I'll have to find a big marker."
Altura Altera reclines in the chair and closes his eyes.
Dasher leans against Lookout and nods.
Core says, "Has anyone seen Rikki today?"
Captain Victory says, "Well by Nixon's tape recorder I must take my leave.. I
must continue looking for the Location of these "E-Agents" amongst the
protection of our paradise"
Dasher shakes her head, "I was out up until about a half hour ago."
Lookout says, "I saw her yesterday. I think she went home normally after the
incident."
Core nods. "Dasher, can you check on her quick?"
Altura Altera says, "Why don't you just call Phoenix's place?"
Dasher tells Altura, "Phoenix's cave has no phone."
Altura Altera says, "She lives in a cave?"
Lookout says, "Not anymore. She has an apartment now."
Dasher nods, "Yeah. Way up on...Oh?" She frowns, "Nobody tells me anything."
Altura Altera chuckles and closes his eyes again.
Dasher asks, "Do I look for Rikki at Zober's or at Phoenix's new apartment?"
El Cid turns to Captain Victory. "Nixon's Tape Recorder? What's that all
about?" He says curiously, turning to Starcat. "I wasn't aware Nixon taped
anything, were you?"
Core says, "The apartment.. both? How long should it take you?"
Starcat says, "Wouldn't surprise me, he's always been a bit paranoid... but so
did FDR, I think. Just records for posterity."
Lookout looks at Dasher and says, "No, Rikki has an apartment now."
Dasher thinks, "Well, at most, a minute or two. She does?" She looks at Core,
"Three minutes."
Core nods. "Please check on her."
Dasher gets up, "Hold down your hats." With that, she takes off in a burst of
speed, and goes through the door. A guest of wind is created in her wake,
blowing any loose papers around.
A column of coruscating violet bursts from the floor with a high-pitched
*flink* sound. A moment later, it dies away, leaving Cheshire in its place.
"'lo," she greets.
El Cid turns to Starcat. "Posterity? What would the point be?" He says
curiously. "He's the president."
Lookout says, "Hey, Cheshire. What's up?"
Core hrmphs. "Guan Yu at the gates." He sits back and waits, pondering what
the heck mulled wine is, anyways.
Starcat says, "All I've got is ears... Hello, again, Cheshire." She returns to
her conversation. "Well, FDR wanted the recordings so that historians would
know what the decision-making process in the White House was during the
Depression and the War. They're still classified, I think, but eventually
they'll be released, just like all his papers."
Altura Altera's head lolls back in his chair.
Lookout says, "... Altura? You OK?"
El Cid nods slowly. "Well, that means we'll have to wait until 2030 to know
what Nixon was thinking..." He says calmly. "Not that that's so bad, who knows
what could happen in fifty years..."
Cheshire says, "Not much, just curious. Who's Guan Yu?"
Starcat winks. "We'll just have to wait and see. We're on the moon, in fifty
years we could be mining the asteroids."
Core ehs. "Some Chinese guy I read about in school."
Dasher comes back in, this time from the rear corridor, another gust of wind
behind her. She sits next to Lookout and says, "She's at Zober's. Lode is with
her."
Lookout says, "Goody. ... I think Altura's asleep."
Dasher looks over, "He had a rough night." She moves closer to Lookout on the
couch.
Core nods his head. "Thanks, Dasher."
Dasher assures Core, "Lodestone's tough. Maybe even tougher than you. If they
keep sending metal guys, one at a time, he can handle it."
El Cid turns to Dasher calmly. "Well, I can only imagine how tough they are."
He says gently. "The one I faced off against seemed to have some problems with
light..."
Altura Altera shifts in the beanbag to curl up on one side.
Dasher thinks . o O (Poor thing, he must have been up with her all night,)
Dasher tells Lookout, "Maybe we should take Dragonfist with us. He's good at
not being seen, too."
Lookout says, "Yeah, I guess, if he's not busy."
Speaking of not being seen, here comes the opposite of that. Phoenix strides
rather highly of mood through the doors that make so much noise when used it's
a wonder this base is still hidden.
Dasher smiles, "Hi, Phoenix."
Cheshire asks, "So you need to sneak into somewhere to help out your alien
friend?" That's what she's put together, anyway. "Oh, hi there."
Core nods at the flashy heroine. "Hello."
Core says, "No, just ensuring her safety."
Dasher shakes her head to Cheshire, "No, actually, we've been asked to find
the missing TV guy."
Starcat says, "Eh? What missing TV guy?"
Phoenix offers a wave to the greeting people, "Hail," she bids in a less than
loud tone upon seeing the attempting-to-rest Altura Altera. "What news?"
Core says, "Missing TV guy?"
Cheshire snaps her fingers. "The guy that was supposed to help out with the
clinic thing. Yeah, I was wondering about that."
Lookout nods. "Yeah, I guess we're going to Miami to take a look."
Starcat says, "Oh, that one. D'Argent. Heard about it... any leads?"
Dasher leans against Lookout, "So far, discussion was: (geez, don't you guys
read the paper?) Peacetree being a pawn of El Aguila, the elemental guys after
Rikki, the TV guy and ..I just forgot what else."
El Cid turns and looks up to Phoenix for a moment. "Well, I don't know how
much I can contribute to finding the missing executive, but I can offer Solace
my presence as a substitute host."
Altura Altera rolls over in the beanbag falling out onto the floor. He awakens
with a start, "Oh, sorry. I must be really tired."
Dasher blinks, "Alt, there's beds down the hall if you need a place to
snooze."
Cheshire blinks. "Eh? You think Peacetree's a pawn? Man, I miss everything."
Core says, "He's definately a pawn."
Lookout says, "Maybe a rook."
Altura Altera says, "He's a distraction. I think I'll go home and get some
sleep after a quick stop."
El Cid turns to Cheshire. "He appears to be mentally influenced, yes..."
Dasher smiles, "Good night, Hermano."
Phoenix takes Altera's place on the beanbag chair when he decides not to
return to it, "Sleep well," she bids with a gentle smile.
Cheshire waves to Alt while responding to the others. "How can you tell? He
seems pretty together, in general."
Core says, "Because he said he was."
Core says, "Some black male speaks to him in his dreams."
Lookout says, "He says he gets ideas from God at night, and he's a black man."
Altura Altera says, "Take care folks. But don't forget, Moses said the same
things and look how that turned out."
Lookout says, "Since it's not a feathered snake nor a cat woman, it's
obviously a mind controller."
El Cid twitches for a moment and hammers himself in the back of the head with
a metallic clonk. "AGH...I was speaking like Solace there for a moment."
Starcat says, "Sarcasm, Lookout? The point is that he's a lot more coherent on
camera than otherwise. I think someone's interfering at that point."
Cheshire says, "Well, so what? Half the folks in Washington claim god's spoken
to them personally. It's just politics, right?"
Lookout says, "What? I'm just saying each person believes in different
things."
El Cid says, "Well, it's certainly possible that there's no mental
manipulation here."
Starcat says, "True. He could just be a fruitcake."
Cheshire shrugs. "Seems like a pretty decent guy to me, aside from the little
thing about superhumans."
Dasher winces, "Well, yeah. I mean, I like peace, but I'm not sure I want to
be eradicated."
Phoenix lays out on her front with her head propped up on her hands, listening
carefully to the conversation, interested though quiet. After a moments' worth
of laying out, her wings stretch up before settling carefully over her sides.
Lookout says, "Well, so right now, it's two candidates against one for us."
Core says, "He doesn't mind if the lizards eat people and take over the island
before starving to death. I don't consider this prime 'leadership' quality."
Starcat says, "Oh, c'mon. The boy's got less grasp of economics than a
Marxist. He's so pro-nature he's anti-human, and he thinks that if the good
guys disarm unilaterally, the bad guys will see the error of their ways. Put
him in charge and we'll all be speaking Russian or Chinese within the decade."
Cheshire says, "Doesn't matter that much. He's not going to win. Too little
appeal to realpolitik."
Starcat says, "And a good thing, too. As long as he doesn't pull Vallejo too
far in his direction in the process. I'm voting for Timmerman."
Lookout says, "Yeah."
Cheshire nods. "Timmerman should have a pretty good shot, if nothing changes
between now and the election. Of course, the chances of that..." She shrugs.
El Cid turns to Starcat for a moment. "I don't know that any of the candidates
will get my vote in this election." o O (If I don't vote for Vallejo, I betray
my people and my culture. If I do vote for Vallejo, I can usher in a new age
of Fascism. And the hippie is right out...)
Core pushes himself to his feet, "Im not voting for any of them." Core states,
then heads for the door out. Time to sleep, or something.
Starcat sighs. "I wish I could vote for Vallejo, myself. Timmerman is a
non-entity, and the idea of a woman as a role model is something I approve of.
But ... she's effectively a Nazi, as far as we're concerned."
Dasher wraps an arm around Lookout, "It's confusing. But I've met Vallejo.
She's a good person."
Starcat says, "She -means- well. But the law of unintended consequences will
rear its ugly head."
Phoenix grins quietly. "It's interesting how only in politics can we really
sit back and believe someone evil despite not knowing them or hearing of their
crimes. We need only hear what they believe."
Dasher nods, "It could have the same effect the McCarthy hearings had on the
Liberty Squad, prior to the Act of 1954."
El Cid turns to Phoenix. "I agree there, and Dasher is right. Someone needs to
tell her she has no sense of decency."
Cheshire says, "Or maybe the opposite. She said something about 'organizing'
us, if I'm remembering correctly. Maybe she wants her own army of masks."
Lookout says, "Well, if Vallejo or Peacetree are elected, we'll need political
force ourselves to hold our rights."
El Cid shudders. "A super powered army is equally dangerous as no organization
at all."
Starcat says, "Either way. Hitler registered the guns in Germany, and then
used the registration lists to confiscate them from the Jews. A few months
later was the Kristalnacht. I am -not- going to register with any government
list."
Phoenix smiles lightly. "And you expect that they will not find out
eventually? I doubt we will see a repeat of World War II's atrocities any time
soon.."
Cheshire glances at Phoenix. "How much do you know about what's going on in
Asia right now?"
Phoenix shakes her head. "Very little, I fear. My concerns have been most
local."
Dasher frowns slightly.
Cheshire says, "Yeah, well, that one's not going to be pretty. You always get
things of that nature in war. Maybe they'll listen to the people for a change
and pull back before things get any worse than they already are. Fighting
against communism on behalf of French imperialism... there's not even a right
side to be on, there."
Dasher replies, "El Cid says we're not supposed to support or hold any
political views."
Starcat says, "That's in our public personas, Dasher. You can bet I'm going to
be active in my secret ID, though."
El Cid turns to Dasher for a moment. "That's pretty much it. We're role
models. We can't go out and support political candidates. It interferes with
the normal electoral process. The constitution entitles everyone to one man,
one vote. We are not entitled, by virtue of our greater power, to create as
many votes as we can."
Starcat says, "Not directly. But we can certainly try to show why we shouldn't
be discriminated against."
Dasher nods and leans against Lookout, "That's why I'm staying out of it."
Cheshire says, "That's ridiculous. Newspaper editorials do it all the time.
Why shouldn't we state our opinions? It's not as if we're forcing anyone to
agree."
Starcat murmurs, "They came for the communists, and I said nothing, for I was
not a communist. Then the came for the Jews, and I said nothing, for I was not
a Jew. They came for the trade unionists, and I said nothing, for I was not in
a union. And then they came for me, and there was no one left to say anything
at all..."
Dasher sticks out her tongue at Starcat, "I said that one, too."
El Cid turns to Starcat. "We can allow ourselves the luxury of doing that in
our secret identities. As heroes, we can't afford to do so. The implications
are both vast and dangerous."
Starcat says, "She's got a point. We have greater influence because of our
celebrity as heroes. Why not use that? The rich get greater visibility because
they can afford advertisements - actors are getting more political, since they
are well known... Reagan even successfully ran for office. Why not?"
Cheshire says, "I'd say we have both the right and the responsibility to speak
our minds. We -are- role models. If something bad is going on, and we don't
say anything, it makes it look like we approve. And we can draw attention to
ideas the mainstream otherwise wouldn't touch."
El Cid turns to Starcat. "Because they are normals, Starcat. If we take a hand
in affairs in that way, we will no longer seem like heroes. We will seem like
people. A legend is dangerous to face. But men and women can be killed. This
is a delicate business."
Dasher looks up at El Cid, "But we -are- people."
El Cid turns to Dasher. "You're right. We are. But it is the IMAGE of us as
heroes that is important. You think people don't put our pictures on their
walls, take us into their homes and their hearts? We have to live up to that
image, Dasher. Anything less prevents us from doing our job as effectively."
Starcat says, "I dunno... I think Nelson Rockefeller is a bit more equal than
the other normals. It can be argued either way. I think it would be safe to
stand up -against- things. If we came out in favor of civil rights, for
example."
Dasher asks, "Isn't that what the lawyer came down to do? Help us?"
Starcat says, "Can't be anything wrong in standing up against prejudice."
Lookout says, "I dunno. I really don't want to dabble in politics."
El Cid turns to Dasher. "That is what the lawyer came to do. We have to put
round-the-clock watches on her, if it hasn't already been done."
Lookout says, "I mean, go there on TV and say 'Hello, I'm Lookout and I
support politician X, and so should you'..."
Dasher tells El Cid, "I think she might not like round-the-clock."
Starcat says, "Nah, that I agree is too much. Can't endorse candidates. But I
think we can make statements on how we view issues."
El Cid turns to Dasher. "I'd like to point out that this is a woman who ran
headlong towards Altura Altera when that madman attacked her. I told her to
leave the area twice and she refused."
Cheshire chuckles. "That is pretty blunt. Doesn't stop you from mentioning
your stances on the issue, though."
Starcat shrugs. "At least she'll be alive to protest. I think we can do it
unobtrusively."
Cheshire wonders, "How many people are you folks watching 'round the clock?"
Dasher thinks, "I'm just doing the early morning worm watch."
Lookout turns to Cheshire and says, "Uhm. A lot right now."
Dasher rubs Lookout's shoulder, "You must be tired."
Lookout sighs. "Very."
Cheshire says, "I was going to ask whether you missed work or sleep, but I
guess that answers that question. You want any help with that?"
Dasher tells the others, "I better get him home. I'm sure Vallejo won't be all
facist. Thanks, Cheshire, but he's very light."
El Cid turns to Cheshire for a moment. "I do miss sleep or work sometimes."
Lookout says, "I'm not light. Well, compared to Core or Lodestone maybe."
Dasher lifts Lookout in her arms, "You're just right."
Cheshire laughs. "I meant with the watching people, actually."
Dasher grins, "Oh!! Oh, yeah. /That/ you can help with. Um, I think Core
organized the worm folks. Dunno who's watching everyone else."
El Cid laughs for a moment. "I'm not going to deal with Goldilocks and the
three Lookouts at this hour of the evening."
Lookout says, "I think Genessa and Molly are being watched, actually."
Dasher nods, "Altura's on Genessa and Thunderstrike's on Molly, I think."
Starcat threatens to sing the Worm Song...
Cheshire's mouth quirks. "Okay... guess I'll have to keep an eye open for
them, then."
Dasher smiles, "Hang loose, all."
Cheshire shrugs. "Maybe I'll take a look topside, see whether Thunderstrike's
around."
Dasher sprints out of the base, opening the door, and carries Lookout off into
the night.
NEXT
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