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**DarkCloud** · July 28, 2000, 15:03

Chapter VI "Universite Graffiti"
(Otherwise known as the Comments section of this story)
Year 2045 P.Y. 45
Decurn 19 Day 10
---------------------------------
Conversation #1 (Good Morning Vietnam)

“I don’t like the idea of this war.” Commented Senior Researcher Tino Duress to Doctor Pierce Roenay, who replied “I agree with you sir, I will soon be patching up many more bloody bodies, now I’m not really complaining, the money’s good for me but it does get tiring having to endure the same injuries now and again.”
Tino then told him, “What I fear is that I will be drafted and forced to fight in the army. Then I will not be able to continue my research and I will die in war instead of dying in a lab accident, that I could take.”
“Yes,” the Doctor told him “That is truth.” and they went back to eating their lunches in the Cafeteria of Prokhor Zakharov.

Conversation #2 (Wishing and Hoping)

“They have violated our territory, no?” Prophet Cha-Dawn calmly asked his Second-in-Command Dev-Em who replied “Yes sir, the Usurpers have brought into our territory a force of five Battle Ogres, and an undetermined number of Laser Guards.”
“Well then,” the Prophet began “We shall just have to show them who has permission to cross our ‘Holy Land’, dispatch all fifteen Mindworm units and accompany them with three of our best Plasma Sentinels. Pursue the Usurper forces and engage them until they exit our territory.” He put a hand up to his mouth and yawned. “I shall personally contact Judaa Maar and demand a statement for this atrocious invasion of our territory. If he refuses to withdraw his forces, do as I previously said, if, however he does withdraw, escort his units back to his own lands.”
“Yes sir.” Dev-Em replied before bowing deeply and exiting the presence of The Enlightened Prophet Cha-Dawn.

Conversation #3 (It’ll be the Death of Me)

“Yang, sir.” “The Jackal” began, but was hushed by a gesture of Yang’s hand and an angry glance.
“Why is he not dead?” Yang inquired.
“Jackal” swallowed and began to tell his story “Sir,” he began, “his Best Man stepped in between my bullet and his body. Of course, you already know that, sir.” Yang frowned. “Yes, of course,” “Jackal” told him. “After the botched attempt I stole a rover and escaped the city, but, remembering my duty I returned with the explosives which I had strapped to my jacket and set them up around a Gaian Hospital.” “Jackal” chuckled nervously. “All within two blocks of that ‘accident’ are now dead.” Yang pondered his statement for a little then motioned for “Jackal” to go on.
“While fleeing from my project I found the Gaians had set up a road block, but I smashed my way through it, narrowly escaping with my life. I then crossed the Xenofungus only to run out of energy in my rover.” He paused for breath “I then encountered a mindworm, which I defeated and killed. I soon after encountered a Morganite ATV which took me to The Hive.”
Yang thoughtfully questioned “Jackal” “Just what is the name of this Morganite who so pitied you
that he thought to save you?”
“Well,” “Jackal” began “I believe. That his name was Nil Sparr or something like that.”
“Very good.” Yang replied then turned to one of his guards and told him “Kill all Morganite traders in this city.” The guard then rushed out and shouted orders to other soldiers in the hallways. Yang smiled. “So it seems, ‘Jackal’ that your luck has run out. Guard- apprehend that man, he will be shot tomorrow.”
“The Jackal” struggled and pushed and pulled away from the two guards who had descended upon him. He then ran and jumped his way through a window, breaking glass. Soon he was falling 42 stories to his doom.

Conversation #4 (That’ll be the Day)

Lal was not pleased. “Zakharov you Ba#*#($! How DARE you DECLARE WAR ON ME AND DEIDRE! You Will Pay! I will have your HEAD THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD! You FIEND, I bet you’re using my people as lab rats right now.”
Zakharov nimbly replied. “I hope you know, Lal, that is not an atrocity, at least, not in the eyes of the council.” A smile crept across Zakharov’s face while Lal stood steaming, watching Zakharov on the vidscreen while Zakharov continued, “I also hope you know, one faction cannot stand to acquire as much power as yours has. It also seems that you are bent on world domination since you are marrying Deidre, who is a force to be reckoned with, but, between myself and Yang’s help you shall be destroyed. However, I agree with you, Yang should be destroyed, but that will have to wait until I have you in University Base and can ‘interrogate’ you, friend. Zakharov out.”
The screen then went blank and Lal stormed out of his Conference Room to head to his office to plan war.

Conversation #5 (Dream)

“Aki-Zeta-Five reporting.”
“Ah yes Aki, kind of you to receive me.” Deidre began.
“Yes, It was most kind of me.” Aki replied confidently
“Well, yes Aki, I have called you to discuss a most pressing matter.”
“And that is?”
“An attack on Zakharov and Yang.”
“I thought you only had a quarrel with Yang?” Aki asked, obviously baffled
“Events have, changed…” Deidre began
“How so?”
“It is possible that Zakharov was the one behind Lal’s attempted assassination.”
“Oh no!” Aki seemed surprised, ‘strange.’ Deidre thought, ‘I didn’t think Cyborgs could be surprised?’
“What do you wish in return for your services.” Deidre asked.
“All I ask,” Aki pondered for a moment and then started again “All I ask is for 10,000 energy credits so that I can support my army of Laser Rovers and Missile Rovers.”
Deidre bit her lip and replied “Then it is agreed?”
“Yes, it is agreed.” Aki responded.

Conversation #6 (Fried Green Tomatoes)

“Sorry, friend” Roze began, “but I do not have the resources to attack Zakharov openly, although I would be happy to ‘lend’ you a few probe teams and perhaps make some ‘inquiries’ on their computer systems.”
“That should be enough.” Deidre thanked her and then rested, tomorrow would be a big day for her. For the combined forces of the Peacekeepers, Data Angels, Cyborgs, and Gaians were to plan strategy.

Conversation #7 (I Want To Know, Have You Ever Seen the Rain)

“That #*$(* Deidre always supposing that she can tell US what to do, I mean it’s not as if she was the one who was going to be murdered!” An annoyed Gaian citizen spat out and was countered with a friends remark
“But Jon, surely you would seek revenge if someone tried to murder your husband-to-be.” His friend waited a while and then chuckled. “Well in your case it would be wife-to-be.”
Jon replied “Who would WANT to marry that lazy, polluting Peacekeeping scum, all we get out of it is a war!”
His friend then screamed at him, “How DARE YOU INSULT OUR LEADER! How DARE YOU INSULT DEIDRE!” His friend then punched Jon across the face, sending him flying backwards. “Hey,” Someone spoke up, “don’t hit him just because he’s questioning the government, this is a DEMOCRACY idiot. If he has an opinion, then he’s entitled to it.”
“Do you just know what his opinion is?” “Yeah,” the man said “his opinion is that Deidre is marrying a real jerk who pollutes Planet and is destroying it at this very moment. And, even though I hate to say it, I agree with him.”
The two then began to fight and were soon joined by their friends from all around the bar. There were chairs flying and blood everywhere when Gaian Riot Police came in to break up the fight, however, very uncharacteristic for the Gaian people, they began to shout at the Riot Police and cuss at them. It seemed that the growing sentiment was Deidre had no business marrying a polluter without the consent of her people, even if it made Gaia stronger in the process.

**DarkCloud** · July 28, 2000, 21:22

Part III
-------------------

Chapter VI "The Great Race"
(Otherwise known as the Silly Set Up part of this story
Year 2045 P.Y. 45
Decurn 21 Day 8
(--------------------------------------------------)
Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3029
“… Massive energy deposit discovered between borders of Hive/ University/ Peacekeeper territory. Troops rush to defend bases and conquer land.”
104.45.3030
“… War has been declared on the disgusting Shen-Ji Yang of the Hive after a mass massacre of Morganites in his territory, the list of the dead and dying follows…”
104.45.3072
“… Secret transmission intercepted, Zakharov’s forces move toward energy deposit with zeal. They will most likely encounter the two laser squads of the fiendish Hive forces within a few days…”

Chapter (VII 2/10) “Ghostbusters”
(Datatech Dataprobe Destinies)
Lead Dataprobe ‘Dark Cloud’ of ‘The Ghostbusters’ Probe Team led his team of twenty five through the swamps of Pirate territory. They had landed, uneventfully in Pirate territory on the peninsula that contained the University headquarters. However, even though they had been unharrassed by the Pirates so far, it did not mean that their good fortune would continue.
They sulked through the jungle cutting at the vines and cursing at the ‘curse burrs’ that had gotten entangled in their socks. No, you didn’t hear me wrong, they were cursing at the ‘curse burrs’, you see, it seems that these particular seeds would come detached when a loud noise occurred, it seems the sound waves would trigger the burrs to come detached. However, the phenomena remains as yet mostly unexplained. (BUY THE BOOK (Mindworms and Curse Burrs) from Morgan Electronic Books Inc. for 2 energy credits today.)
While traversing through the swamp ‘Dark Cloud’ did some thinking. ‘Just who was this ‘Roze’ ordering him- the great Dataprobe Dark Cloud to accomplish such a menial and degrading task as stealing the documents for Fusion Guards technology from the University to GIVE, yes GIVE to another faction for free. It was preposterous, yet ‘Dark Cloud’ would do his job, and perhaps pocket a pretty penny on a scam or two on the way.

-To Be Continued in Ghostbusters II

Chapter (VII 3/10) “Come, Follow Me-I'm the Pied Piper”
(A Zakharov © Conference)
“Men.” Zakharov began gravelly whilst talking to his Council of Military Advisors. “We MUST capture this energy deposit.” He pointed with a pointer-stick to a drawing on a map which he had in a corner of the conference room. “I have already gathered four of our units, including the bold 5th Fusion Guards and sent them to this position.” He cleared his throat with a gulp of water. “However, we also need to defend our bases from invasion by the Peacekeepers and Hive. Any ideas?”
“Perhaps we should surrender.” One person began.
Zakharov, looking shocked, turned to his new second-in-command officer, Don Darden and asked him, “Who is that man?” Darden replied “An A$$h0le” “I already know that!” Zakharov disgustedly told him. Darden then responded, “Sorry sir if I wasn’t being clear, that’s his name, Major Max A$$h0le.” “Oh,” Zakharov responded. “In that case, demote that man.” “Yes sir.” Darden responded promptly and then went over to tell Major A$$h0le the news. “Sir, unless you heard the news earlier…”
He began but was met with a punch in the mouth. “I know that you idiot!” Major A$$h0le told him, “You two were speaking loud enough for the whole #*$&& conference room to hear. And for that, I’ll have my revenge!” With that he left the room rudely and then slammed the door behind him.
On the other side of the Conference Room Major A$$h0le went sprawling as he quickly walked out of the room, for, as he found out whilst lying on the ground, the marble flooring had recently been waxed. As he read the sign ‘Careful. Newly waxed floor’ he plotted how to have his revenge.
Meanwhile, in the Conference Room the ideas of the military advisors were largely rejected by Zakharov until they had decided upon a plan which everyone approved of.
The plan was simple, the fusion guards would take position atop of a hill or other high ground and beat the #($* out of anyone who dared oppose them. It was the best military idea of the century, or so they thought. (Note: Never let researchers plan a war.)
Zakharov was the first to leave and was met with a very unceremonial bucket of water thrown at him by Major A$$h0le who exclaimed. “Take away MY pride will you. Well you’ve got yours!! HAHAHAHAHHAHAH.”
Darden immediately stepped up to Zakharov and asked him, “do you want that man shot sir?” Zakharov responded coolly “yes.” That response caused Major A$$h0le to go screaming down the hall to escape the bullet while Zakharov joked, “Now how did that mentally-unstable person get on my military review board?” “Oh.” Darden replied “Zwiziaona hired him, he was his great-great nephew.”
“Well,” Zakharov said. “I can see why he changed his name to just plain ‘Prince’ when he was a recording artist, otherwise he may not have succeeded, I mean can you see yourself listening to a song written by ‘Prince A$$h0le’?” Zakharov then broke into laughter.

Chapter (VII 4/10) “Apocalypse NOW”
(A Disgusting War Chapter Starring: Marlon Brando)
-------
Part I
-------
“General Brando.” The young Hive officer began. “Shut up.” Brando replied. “Yes sir.” The officer replied. And they stood there like that for a while until Brando cracked “Well what the #$#* were you going to tell me soldier!”
“Ahhh.. Yes" the Hive officer began. "Two of your units the 16th Laser Guards and 4th Laser Rovers were destroyed by a unit we believe is calling itself the 5th University Fusion Guards.” Brando chewed on his gigantic cigar “We NEED that technology.” “Yes.” The officer answered. “Shut up.” Brando replied. “Yes sir.” The officer replied.
“You sure are a boring soldier, kid.” Brando told the young officer. “Yes sir.” The officer answered. Brando then began to strangle him, but quit when he thought better of it. “My gosh.” he said, “I must be going crazy just like my great-great grandfather did in the movie Apocalypse Now.” “The what?” The officer asked.
“Don’t you young kids watch any holovids?” Brando asked
“Sorry sir, I didn’t, I was brought up in the Superior Warrior Apprentice Program (SWAP), I was born in Sparta and traded here when I was 15 in an officer exchange. In Sparta we don’t believe in holovid movies, our major form of entertainment is ‘beat up and perhaps kill your friends.’”
Brando stood blankly “Sorry kid, you’re losing me.” He told him and then went into his tent and began to scream his head off.
-------
Part II
-------
“Sir.” The Lieutenant reported. “Yes.” Commander Lars Qod replied. “We have good news to report. We are about to receive four new Fusion Guard units. Qod stood thankful “Hopefully they will arrive before that Peacekeeper unit of Missile Rovers arrives.”

-------
Part III
-------
The University unit stood victorious surrounded by the dead of the 1st Peacekeeper Missile Rover Unit. “Well,” Qod began speaking to the combined commanders of the 1st-4th University Fusion Guards. “Thank you for coming, but you were too late, however I believe that we should combine our forces for a full frontal assault on UN Lands. However, we should hold back a reserve unit to defend our borders here, how about your 1st Fusion Guards, Davion?”
Victor Davion leader of the 1st Fusion Guards looked downcast. “Well, since you are in command here, Qod, I believe that I will agree with you.”
“Good then,” Qod smiled, “all is agreed, we leave tomorrow for University Lands.”

Chapter (VII 5/10) “Papillion”
(Execution)
“All ye gathered here…” Chairman Shen-Ji Yang began “Have come to witness the execution of a traitor to your nation.” “This man,” he said with extreme disgust “failed to realize the threat University forces posed and will now pay for it so I will now give the order to execute him.”
And with that General Sherman So-Ra was executed.

Chapter (VII 6/10) “La Bamba”
(Cult/Usurper Conflict)
“So they dare invade our territory.” Colonel Isum Kara-Lan spat. “And for that the Usurpers will die. Come fellow Plasma Sentinels and follow me and the Mindworms to victory.”
At that battle cry the units of Plasma Sentinels and Mindworms raged out to attack the Alien Usurper Battle Ogres and Laser Rovers. The resounding ‘crack’ when the two forces met was of a force great enough to shatter the earth.
Usurper units went down at first quickly succumbing to the Mindworms. However they soon rallied and destroyed a great number of Mindworms, but not before losing all of their Battle Ogres, but luckily the Usurper Commander sent a short transmission back to Judaa Maar telling of his defeat and asking for reinforcements.
Yet, the Usurpers were not done yet, they rigged explosives to the underbellies of their rovers and thus destroyed the combined forces of Mindworms and Plasma Sentinels, but in the process they committed an atrocity. And just to note, no one really liked the Usurpers very much anyway.
The Morganites immediately, upon receiving word of the atrocity, rendered economic sanctions on the Usurpers as did the other factions, but none dared declare war for the Usurpers were far too powerful to be defeated easily.
This atrocity did have one important repercussion for, because of it the Caretakers readied their units, now knowing of the threatened invasion of their land and began to march through Free Drone territory.
In that way the complete army of the Cult was destroyed and the Usurpers had but one unit left. Usurper High Command soon readied a second invasion force and equipped them with Resonance Armor and Lasers. These battle rovers were then dubbed R-Laser Rovers and began their long trek through Cult
territory.
However, Cha-Dawn was disgusted and outraged at the atrocity and screamed for blood. He readied four mindworm boil units which had been held in reserve from the last assault and two Laser Guards for war. He was also producing many more Laser Guards and attempting to recruit more mindworms as the battles elsewhere raged on…

Chapter (VII 7/10) “Rescue Me”
(Morganite News Network Newslink)
Morgan News Network Newslink
104.45.3125
“… War, destruction, etc, Morgan Planetariums destroyed by Hive forces. It is advised for one not to panic, as our stock exchange is safe… I repeat the stock exchange will be operable throughout this disaster. And for those of you interested, we will start a new stock entitled Morganite Drafted Forces, all those drafted will receive a certain percentage of the stock so sign up today- those who sign up get more stock than those who are drafted.”

Chapter (VII 8/10) “And the Band Played On”
(The Continued Adventures of the ‘The Jackal’)
“Ha” ‘The Jackal’ mused “I have escaped him and he is none the wiser.”
‘The Jackal’ had seemingly plummeted to his doom, but, since he expected that something such as that might happen, had installed gliding wings in his coat, of course it made his coat much heavier and he had a hard time getting past the titanium detectors at the entrance to Yang’s offices, but it was worth it.
“Now,” he thought, “Where can I go to?” He considered heading towards the University bases but decided that it would be too risky, Zakharov had a very low opinion of Probe Spies of any kind. Then he considered the Spartans but rejected that idea too. The Spartans were too warlike and were allied with the Hive. Then he thought of the one faction which would support him!
The Drones, the Free Drones would be his saviors. Domani the manipulator, Domani the cruel. Domani could use an assassin such as he. Domani had many enemies and he must wish them dead. Yes ‘The Jackal’ grinned as he glided hundreds of feet above the ground ‘Domani would be the one who would accept him.’ Now all he had to do was fly the thousands of miles to Free Drone Territory, but, since he had an engine installed in his pants, he knew he could make it there. It was just a matter of time.

Chapter (VII 9/10) “I Went Through the Desert on a Horse with No Name”
(Caretaker Chronicles)
“Usurpers: Pay for atrocity against Cult: atrocity against planet: holes in planet’s skin: disruption of atmosphere because of war: War will destroy, but war will solve: Battle Ogres, Mindworms, and Laser Rovers will head through Drone Territory: Drones: Angered ?: Most Probably: Necessary: Yes.”
Chapter (VII 10/10) “What Lies Beneath”
(Domani Destruction)
“Mobilize forces 1:2 through 2:17 for immediate deploy near Caretaker border, Zak, for it seems that we have been betrayed by the evil Caretakers.”
“Yes sir,” Drone Zak D. replied and rushed off to do his duty to his leader and his country.
Domani then hit the vidscreen button and composed a super-burst message to the other factions.
“In times like these, when an alien faction attacks, it is in the best interest of all of us to destroy the offending aliens, so I ask you, the other factions to come help me and my people defend our lands against this menace.”
Responses were largely negative (a few samples):
Lady Deidre of the Gaians:
“It’s just too bad that you didn’t help us, otherwise we would have sent help but it seems that the only people you care for is yourselves so don’t bother to come running to me or the Peacekeepers.”

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard:
“If money or property is involved count us in.”

The only positive response, Ulrik’s was followed through with a ‘gift’ of two drone sea bases to the Pirates. Domani was not proud of the outcome of his plea, but he had acquired at least one ally.

[This message has been edited by DarkCloud (edited July 28, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by DarkCloud (edited July 28, 2000).]

**DarkCloud** · August 10, 2000, 15:57

*BUMPING THIS UP*
-D.C.

**DarkCloud** · September 18, 2000, 00:31

*Bumping this up!*

-D.C. (Dark Cloud)

Announcement

University Saga

University Saga

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