This space intentionally left blank. 

By Captain Tacoman on Sunday, November 19, 2000 - 07:42 pm:

Inspector, did you say something about an unauthorized shuttle launch? If you did, see who's in it!
Helm, when we get within range of the asteroid, transport Observer and Ansh onto it. 

By The Observer on Sunday, November 19, 2000 - 11:48 pm:

(Cmdr. Rikard plots a difficult course through the dense Solar Asteroid Belt. Captain Tacoman gives the order, and the powerful engines of the Spidermobile quickly propel it to Warp Factor 7. In the bare milliseconds that the ship passes through the Belt, Ops Manager Insane activates the transporter and beams Ansh and The Observer onto Chronos Facility.

As they materialize, the strange sensations that accompany rushed high-speed transports rumbling in their bellies, they notice complete darkness around them. Dark and cold. And damp.)

Wait a second, Ansh, I'll take care of this.

(Unseen in the blackness of the dark tunnel, Observer mumbles a few words, and a rapidly brightening ball of light forms over his outstrectched palm. It gives off heat, and the area soon warms up. That done, Ansh and The Observer view their new surroundings.)

An abandoned mining shaft. Josh and Insane did a good job getting us here. You have the bomb?

(Ansh holds it up, and the Observer nods. They look around the artificial cavern for a egress point.)

There. That tunnel should take us to a structurally weak point of this asteroid. We can plant the bomb there. Let's go.

(Ansh and The Observer walk down the tunnel, the magically produced light following them as they recede into the depths of the space rock.) 

By Jadlad Sleepy Guy on Monday, November 20, 2000 - 04:43 am:

Jadlad in his quarters.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

By Observer/Ansh on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 11:59 am:

(The universe seems to shudder.)

Observer: That shift was even worse. It feels like our entire dimension stalled for a time. Negative's experiments are destroying the fabric of the space/time continuum. Let's hurry and set this bomb.

(Observer and Ansh reach the unstable cavern, and pause to set the bomb up. They are nearly done when part of the the rock wall slides open, and Negative and two techs walk out of a hidden elevator!)

Negative: We need to expand the Facility into these tunnels and- What the Newton is this!

(As Observer pulls something out of his long cloak, Ansh, startled, begins to stand up and trips over the bomb. All in the tunnel freeze, as the bomb begins to speak.)

Bomb: Hi! I'm a really powerful 30-second bomb! 29...28...27...

(Observer pulls a glowing crystal out of his cloak and slashes the air with it. A spatial rift forms, and Observer grabs Ansh's arm and tucks the crystal back into his pocket as they sprint toward the rift. Negative pulls a small pistol out of his lab coat and opens fire, but Ansh wisely activates her shields around herself and Observer. As they disappear into the rift, Ansh waves.)

Ansh: Bye!

(Negative turns to see the two techs running down the tunnel. He drops the gun and pulls out a comm unit.)

Negative: Egads! Egads! Activate the Chronos Device! No coordinates, just get us out of here before the bomb explodes!

(Egads, inside the Facility, scrambles to turn on the huge machine. He waves away the techs that are trying to input a destination time, and pulls a handle. Energy pours into the machine, and the entire asteroid and its inhabitants (excepting the bomb) begin to shimmer and fade.)

(Back aboard the Spidermobile, the crew is looking at a long-range sensor view of Chronos Facility, as Observer and Ansh step out of the rift. On the screen, the asteroid seems to fade away, then disappears in a tremendous flash of light!)

Observer: We're back, anything shaking? laughs

By Commander Adon on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 12:34 pm:

Adon is watching the explosion on the screen while wearing sunglasses.
Welcome back. A spectacular explosion, I couldn't have done better myself. You got the Asteroid base, but we detected a power surge just before the base exploded. I doubt we've seen the last of Dr Negative.

By the way, did anyone else get an odd feeling that the universe stalled for a little while back there?

By The Observer on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 01:26 pm:

I certainly did. And that doesn't seem to be the first time it happened. Anyway, I don't think that Chronos Facility actually exploded. My temporal sensors indicate that Negative tried to open an unstable temporal rift, and the asteroid was blasted headlong into the rift by the force of the bomb's explosion. Traveling through time like that is really not a good idea. Oh well, good riddance to bad rubbish. Now, what shall we do? No distress calls on the emergency band right now. 

By Frangelica on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 01:55 pm:

Wow, that was fast work. 

By Commander Milkshake, glad to be back on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 03:57 pm:

Good job, Observer, Ansh. Well, is everyone here?

Looks around

Doh, they're down in the holodeck playing Parrises Squares.

hits intercom button

Everyone, the Away Team has returned! All bridge crew to your stations. Captain Tacoman to the bridge.

By Darth Pah Armus on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 04:58 pm:

One Week. So far the planned work. As the bath scean proved religous debate tore open the Next Generation board, destroying it. Now, the Religous musings, political musings and Scientific Nightstand were able to wreck havoc all of Nitcentral, annilating the LICC. My Six month plan was a success. Now for the final stroke. I will travel back in time with Sithco Nanites and assimilate the world from the farest depts of time. Mwawawawaawawawawaaaaa!

By Captain Tacoman on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 06:11 pm:

Tacoman exits the turbolift with Milkshake and Insane
Great game, guys.
I see the mission went well. Good job Observer, Ansh.
Perhaps we should return to Earth and and get our congratulations... besides, I need to do a few book signings... and I would like the rest of the crew to be there to help sign and answer questions.

By Commander Milkshake on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 06:52 pm:

Excellent idea Captain. Cmdr. Rikard, lay in a course for Earth. Hmm, we seem to have "Star Trek VI" syndrome. High-ranking officers as bridge crew. Well no matter, I'm sure EarthGov will give us a warm reception for taking care of Negative, despite the fact that it took us a couple months. In fact, I think this was our longest-ever mission, wasn't it?

The ship's impulse drive activates

ETA to Earth orbit is about 46 to 48 minutes, Captain. By the way, I'll put in a recommendation for Ansh at the Academy. A little hint, Ansh, don't pick Commander Gringus as your thesis advisor.

By Commander Adon on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 07:02 pm:

I think I will take a real vacation this time. Look up some old friends, stuff like that. 

By Lt Commander Rikard on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 08:22 pm:

I hope the O'kakians don't come back too soon. I was looking forward to finishing leave. 

By Plot Twist no. 27 and 53 on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 02:29 pm:

A shuttlecraft approaches Darth Pah Armus' place. A figure who looks very much indeed like James Tiberius Kirk, in an 18th Century outfit, with a cyberpet on his shoulder, speaks to the treacly Sith.

Greetings, Darth Pah Armus. I will be your new apprentice. You may call me... Tam.

By Lt Peter Dionysus Insane on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 02:37 pm:

I think we oughtta save the good ol' Oith from Darth P.A., donya think?

Note from Padawan: I think if we do a story with Darth Pah Armus he'll be satisfied and go away. BTW, Matt, why does Darth Pah Armus end his laughs with "wawawawawawawa" instead of "hahahahahahaha"?

By Padawan supplemental on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 03:02 pm:

But first a holiday story like the Superhero Convention and Club Ted. We'll do the Darth Armus thing in January. 

By Poo on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 10:05 pm:

Oh fine! The LICC saves Xmas! 

By Captain Tacoman on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 10:19 pm:

Alright... we get back to Earth, do whatever we need to do, and then find a nice holiday planet... Perhaps the Whoplanet... 

By Commander Milkshake on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 10:21 pm:

Nooo, we sort of did that with the G. R. Inch storyline. But Padawan is right, we need a award-winning storyline for December.

stepping back in character

We are in stable Earth Orbit, Captain. Per your permission I would like to allow the crew to finish their leave.

By Quantum Man on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 11:21 pm:

I need to get back to my students... 

By Commander Adon on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 12:03 am:

Adon's combat-suit landed in a barren area littered with several blast craters. He sat down near a large waterfall.

This will do. Peaceful, secluded, just what I need.

He sat down and just listened to the music of nature.

By Captain Tacoman on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 08:18 am:

Helm, dock with Spaceport. Leave is officially on again. 

By 14 Happy Redshirts on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 10:44 am:

WAHOO!!

The entire bridge complement of redshirts throw their datapadds and electroclipboards up in the air and charge to the nearest airlock. Unfortunately, they fail to see that the ship is not fully docked yet and flush themselves into space.

By Another Senseless Redshirt Death on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 11:45 am:

And a mysterious transport malfunction causes the datapads and electroclipboards to fall on top of another hapless redshirt in Engineering, who is suffocated by the pile. 

By The Guy Who Calls The Shots on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 12:32 pm:

All redshirt demises will be held off for the Christmas season - not in the spirit of kindness, but merely because the fates might confuse festive red outfits for red shirts. 

By The Fates on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 01:25 pm:

Thank you! It was getting difficult to tell them apart! 

By Little Kid on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 01:40 pm:

Now Santa can safely travel around the world and give presents to all the little boys and girls!!! 

By Jolly Old Saint Santa on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 02:19 pm:

Ho-Ho-Ho! Merry Christmas! 

By Lieutenant P. D. Insane on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 02:35 pm:

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm going to Wacky Steve's Milkshake Shoppe! Then I'm going to GiantLand, which contains ordinary things, only... well... giant! I'm gonna play on the giant keyboard. Milkshake, are you coming with me? 

By Captain Tacoman, who can think of no more to say on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 03:35 pm:

Mind if I join you Insane? 

By Lt PD Insane on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 03:51 pm:

NosireeeSuperBob! You can tag along, is it GiantLand or Wacky Steve's ya wanna go to? 

By Cadet Ansh Tembar on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 03:51 pm:

GiantLand sounds good to me! 

By Inspector Mystery on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 06:14 pm:

I'm with you. 

By Lt Commander Rikard on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 06:44 pm:

We're docked. Let's bust this joint. 

By Quantum Man on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 06:59 pm:

Hmmm... it appears to be break time at Cambridge.

Perhaps I shall join you at GiantLand and Wacky Steve's. There is a high probability that I may be heading there! 

By Captain Tacoman on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 07:02 pm:

Right.
Tacoman takes the joint from ashtray and breaks it
Joint.. busted...What? wrong joint?
The crew exits onto Spacedock, which is decorated for christmas
Say... Maybe later we can go to Lunar City... We didn't have much of a chance last time to explore it...
First we hit Wacky Steve's, and then we go to Giantland.
Whipping out a phone and dials Morty... It's Tacoman.. Get a book signing ready at Wacky Steve's MIlkshake Shoppe.. Thanks. Hangs up

By Commander Adon on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 09:52 pm:

Adon sat near the edge at the top of the waterfall. He looked out over the panoramic view. His thoughts, however, were interrupted by the sound of a transport landing nearby.

A man wearing a black suit, black tie, and black sunglasses approached Adon.
Man: "Excuse me, Commander Adon, I am Agent Miths from the Terran Security and..."
He reached into his suit and pulled out his ID card, but an invisible force plucked it from his hand. The card sailed through the air and stopped in front of Adon's face.
Adon: "What would TerrSec want with me?"

The card flew back into Agent Miths hand. Adon stood up and walked over to him.
Agent Miths: "I cam here under orders. Will you please come with me, for your protection."
Adon: "I can protect myself, but rest assured, I will let your agency know if anyone tries to do anything to me."

Adon turned around and started walking away from Agent Miths. Miths, on the other hand, reached inside his suit and pulled out a small hypospray. He walked up behind Adon and was about to press the business end of the spray to Adon's neck, when Adon grabbed his arm and flipped him over his shoulder and removed the hypospray in one move.
Adon: "What is this Agent Miths? A hypospray? You should be careful with these things, they can be dangerous."

Adon placed the hypospray into Miths's hand and 'accidently' pressed the button that activated the device. With a hiss Agent Miths was asleep. Adon then closed Miths's fingers around the hypospray and started walking away.
Adon: "I must take my leave. It has gotten much too crowded around here."

Moments later, Miths's inert form was ruffled by the wind generated when his combat-suit left the area.

By Darth Pah Armus on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 10:03 pm:

Actually my work here is done. My acts will create a borg controlled universe. However, thanks to the John Bryne device, This plotline will simply end up in Elseworld, or infinite earths, or What If? The LILC timeline will remain intact, since the events would be happening far back in Phantom Return's prequel.

Note From Matt: one again I have managed to combine earth shattering events into a off screan single post.

By Jadlad Superguy on Friday, December 01, 2000 - 05:32 am:

I feel better after that nap. Mind if I come along Taco? 

By Captain Tacoman on Friday, December 01, 2000 - 08:35 am:

Alright... everybody who wants to can come along. And you can join the book signing. I don't know if you've seen my book,The LICC Story, or not... I think I may have sent it to a few of you though...

By Lt PD Insane on Friday, December 01, 2000 - 03:45 pm:

All right, Wacky Steve - I'd like a chococolate, pistachio and peach milkshake... shaken, not stirred. 

By Josh Rikard, officially off duty on Friday, December 01, 2000 - 08:27 pm:

Is The LICC Story the book you wrote with all of the LICC's adventures in it?

By Captain Tacoman on Friday, December 01, 2000 - 09:29 pm:

That it is Josh.
Hey Morty! Are we ready for the signing?
Morty: We certainly are.
Good. Where do I sit?
Morty: Right over there.
Tacoman sits and begins signing autographs
..and thank you. Don't forget to greet the rest of the LICC crew. They're right over there..being mobbed.

By Commander Adon on Friday, December 01, 2000 - 11:44 pm:

Adon had moved to another secluded area and was was practicing a very complex kata. Feet, fists, and sword were flying through the air with a dizzying speed and complexity. Hidden with a holographic camouflage, another Agent was watching through a pair of high-tech binoculars. Not only did they give the agent a crystal clear view of the kata, it was also recording the entire workout.

Through the binoculars, the agent saw Adon stop and then seem to disappear. He was startled to suddenly find Adon standing behind him. The datachip flew out of the binoculars and hovered in the air between Adon and the Agent.

Can't you people take 'no' for an answer? A small puff of smoke rose from the datachip. The Datachip then dropped to the ground. What is it you people want? The Agent just stood there and said nothing. Fine. Don't answer. Just leave me alone, as I have no interest in what you want. I hope I don't have to talk to you again.

The ground below the Agent's feet seemed to liquify, and he sunk several inches into the ground. Then the ground solidified around the Agent's feet, trapping him in place. Adon then flew off in a burst of light.

By Comic Book Guy on Saturday, December 02, 2000 - 03:43 am:

Uh, in episode 7F11, SuperBob said he had been on the ship for a few months. However, the Spidermobile II had only existed for one month. How do you explain that? 

By SuperBob, making a suprise visit on Saturday, December 02, 2000 - 06:29 am:

I was using the phrase "being on the ship" as a youthinism for being in the LICC. Which had been around for a long time at that point. 

By Lt PD Insane on Saturday, December 02, 2000 - 06:59 am:

Yes, but now you, SuperBob, have been "youthinased!" (What makes it merciful is that if you were still alive you'd be flamed and put in a room with Team Rockhead, etc.) 

By SuperBob`s agent on Saturday, December 02, 2000 - 09:11 am:

I think SuperBob should be louder, angrier and have access to a time machine. And whenever he's not around, everyone should be asking "Where's SuperBob?"

SuperBob fills him in on the current situation

They did what??? Your agent will hear of this!

SuperBob reminds him that he IS SuperBob's agent.

Oh, right. Um, heh heh... Hey, I think I left a cake byrning in the oven!

By Commander Milkshake on Saturday, December 02, 2000 - 11:25 pm:

Milkshake walks in the door.

Hey guys! Sorry I'm late, I had to cancel an... appointment before I left, so I had to send her some flowers. Oops. Anyway, you guys like the place? This is my 3rd store, opened up last year. Oh, better turn on the disguise.

Milkshake activates his holo-disguise, the one that doesn't disguise his features but makes his armor invisible.

Don't want the employees to know the boss is here, makes 'em jumpy.

Good choice, Insane, the "Kids Special" shake. Very popular.

By Jadlad on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 02:09 am:

Jadlad makes his way through the mob.

Give me a large chocolate and peanut butter shake with an extra olive on top. And two Wacky burgers with extra raisins...hold the cherries.

No, I don't care which hand you hold them in. You've got eight hands anyway. Guess that's one reason why you were hired Steve.

Jadlad gets his order and makes his way to the autograph table, pulls down his mask and reveals...a normal looking guy.

What? Did you expect me to be scarred or something?

By Tacoman`s fat cousin Ed on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 04:18 am:

Well, if it ain't Tacoman! It's a small world, ain't it! You still in the Cosmic Champion business? 

By Lt PD Insane on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 04:27 am:

Hey, is that Mr Obvious over there? Hi, Mr Obvious! Well, I'm going to the chip shop down the road. The fries they have here are not to my liking. I'll be back though! 

By Captain Tacoman on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 09:20 am:

Ed! How ya doing? How's the family?
Let me introduce you to the rest of the crew.
Crew, this is my uncle Ed. He's a riot at holidays. 

By Lt PD Insane on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 10:11 am:

PD Insane comes back in.

Hi, everybody! I got me some fries and a packet of Foot Loops. Don't worry, it's not real feet, it's just flavouring. Aspartame and the like.

By Big Ed on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 11:03 am:

They're doin' fine, Taco! (Slaps him so hard on the back he spills his milkshake) Up there on our Antares-frieghter. You must be Steve Milkshake! And these are...? 

By Captain Tacoman, talking to family on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 12:19 pm:

Ed, meet Josh Rikard, Lt.Peter Insane, Jadlad Superguy, and of course Steve Milkshake. Ansh, Mystery, are you around here somewhere?
So what are you doing these days, Ed? And what brings you to Wacky Steve's? 

By Quantum Man on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 01:19 pm:

a lavender waveform appears, and coalesces into.... (drum roll please...) The Amazing Quantum Man!

I'll have a proton milkshake with mesons on top!

Sorry I'm late guys!

By The Observer on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 01:24 pm:

(Adon's battlesuit traverses the thin upper atmosphere at dangerously unstable speeds which the well-made combat machine handles well. A Terrsec cruiser dives out of orbit to intercept. The BattleSuit wheels around to engage the cruiser, when...)

POP!

(Adon finds himself on the top of a tall mountain, in a natural bowl within the rock, with the Battlesuit beside him. The Observer walks out from a dense thicket, which strangely grows above the treeline.)

Greetings, Adon. It seems you are having trouble with the Terran authorities. I thought you might need a breather, so I created an illusion to keep TerrSec busy, and transported you to this small artificial universe I created. I use it for meditation.

I used to belong to the MIB, but I quit when they revealed their existence and merged with the normal enforcement agencies to become TerrSec. I still know how they think and operate, so I might be able to help you. 

By Big Ed on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 03:45 pm:

Well, I was just droppin' by! (Sees Q.M.) Hey, nice suit! I used to have one like that but it don't fit me no more. Pleased t'meet you everyone! 

By Captain Tacoman on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 03:51 pm:

Tacoman looks up from signing books and sees Quantum Man
Hey Q.M.! Welcome to the party. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Amazing Quantum Man.
Tacoman goes back to signing books
...yes, I guess we do have an interesting bunch of people... but I enjoy working with them.

By Cadet Ansh Tembar on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 03:55 pm:

Oh, I'm here all right. I just dropped one of the chips under the counter and was bending down to pick it up. You must not have seen me. 

By Commander Adon on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 03:56 pm:

Thank you Observer. I don't know what they want but almost being abducted and then being spied upon gets on my nerves.

I have just one question. Will I return to where I was when I am ready to leave, or will I have to open a portal when I am ready to leave? 

By Big Ed on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 04:00 pm:

I'm gonna hang around with you guys! I got ya all a big fat present. To share, of course. And I haven't got it yet. 

By The Observer on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 04:06 pm:

All you have to do is make a decision to leave in your mind, and you will be returned in the exact same location and time you left. Here Time does not exist, at least as we know it, so being here has no effect on the real universe. When you leave you will still be fighting TerrSec, so be prepared. May I accompany you? 

By Commander Adon on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 05:23 pm:

Yes. Don't think that I am being anti-social if I practice away from you. I just don't want to take a chance injuring you. 

By The Observer, showing off a little on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 06:09 pm:

Don't worry about me, Adon. I was...still am, I suppose, a Jedi. I can protect myself.

(Observer pulls a battered but well-constructed lightsabre out of one of his many pockets. Igniting it, he begins a ritual excercise, moving so quickly as to weave an intricate lattice of deadly light around himself, his arms and legs blurring as he completes the ancient Jedi combat excercise. When he stops, the 8 or so trees surrounding him fall apart in hundreds of neat pieces.)

Drat! Now my symmetrical forest is off balance. Oh well... 

By Commander Milkshake on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 07:33 pm:

Milkshake sits back in his chair, sipping his kiwi-vanilla-lime milkshake.

Ahh. I'm considering opening a shop in downtown New Atlantis, but you wouldn't believe the property values there. It's going to take at least...

Several masked hoods charge through the door, brandishing ion pistols. One charges up to the counter while the rest cover the customers.

"Okay Wacky Steve! Hand over the credchips nice and slow. And don't get any ideas about an alarm. We deactivated the policealert box for this whole block! No funny stuff!"

The disguised heroes sitting at the table look like an unimpressive bunch of folks, and as Tacoman stands up the twitchiest robber of the lot brandishes his pistol at them.

"Hahaha-ha! Oh, the famous Tacoman! Here at a milkshake shop! Don't make me laugh! How many guys dress up in Tacoman costumes for birthday parties?! Now sit down, or I'll blast you into a billion pieces!"

Milkshake looks over at Tacoman.

Your call, Taco. This could be dangerous for the customers, but we could take them all down in about 2 seconds.

By Commander Adon on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 08:02 pm:

Most impressive. Perhaps a sword fight on the Holodeck when we get back will be in order. My blade should hold up against a lightsabre, but I'd rather not take the chance that I am wrong unless I have to.

Those tree pieces will be useful.
Adon walks over to a clearing and several pieces obediently follow him. After a brief pause, the pieces start attacking him. Slowly at first, but then with more speed and greater numbers. It was impressive to watch, to say the least.

By Captain Tacoman on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 10:16 pm:

A weapon suddenly appears in Tacoman's hands. The robbers look suprised when Tacoman fires and several globs of goop wrap themselves around the robbers and harden
Plasticine tacoshell emitter. Never leave home without it.
Steve, contact the police. Tell them the LICC is bringing them an early Christmas present.

By Commander Milkshake on Sunday, December 03, 2000 - 11:19 pm:

As Tacoman finishes capturing the bandits and turns to speak to Milkshake, a dark-garbed figure outside the front windows of the shop pulls an extremely large weapon out of his coat.

"Captain, DOWN!"

A redshirt who happened to accompany the captain shoves Tacoman aside as the figure opens fire with his blaster carbine. The redshirt is blasted, and Milkshake wheels around and fires a sonic stunner. The sound waves travel through the transparisteel of the window and stuns the would-be assassin. As the startled Tacoman is helped to his feet by Quantum and Jadlad, Milkshake rushes outside. Tacoman and the rest follow.

Captain, the assassin disappeared. A personal transporter, I suppose. His weapon was left behind, look.

Milkshake holds up an extremely powerful blaster carbine, powerful enough to penetrate even Tacoman's armor.

The markings on this weapon have been erased, but I know this design. This is a TerrSec weapon. But how did this guy get the weapon. And why would the Terran Security Force want you dead?

"Captain!"

Another redshirt calls to Tacoman, and they rush inside to find the crewmember who saved the Captain, seriously injured but miraculously alive.

Jadlad, call for medics. Quantum, can you slow his body processes in any way? We've got to save this brave redshirt.

By Jadlad on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 04:04 am:

Jadlad calls for the medics.

The medics should be here soon Commander.

By Captain Tacoman on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 08:44 am:

I wonder if they want me dead because of my book... Here Steve, have a glance at it.
Tacoman hands Milkshake one of the books on the table
I don't think I included anything sensitive about TerrSec...
Tacoman kneels beside the redshirt
Don't worry, help is on the way. Hopefully you'll be the first redshirt to actually survive a calamity...

By The Medics on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 11:01 am:

The medics arrive. After working on the injured redshirt for a while, one of them turns to Tacoman.

He's very fortunate, the blaster bolts missed every organ. He seems to have been grazed by 40 shots, amazing he's still alive. Well, young Ensign Throwaway here will live. From what I've heard this ensign deserves a promotion or something.

By Quantum Man on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 11:05 am:

And let's give this poor man a BLUE shirt, shall we? 

By Lt PD Insane on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 01:46 pm:

Not necessarily. Red shirts don't bring bad luck, it's just the lack of importance. He's proved himself worthy. 

By Big Ed on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 02:45 pm:

Give 'im some brandy or some beer. 

By Captain Tacoman on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 04:29 pm:

When we get back to the ship, I want that man promoted to the highest redshirt rank we've got, and perhaps a combined blue and red colored uniform...
Steve, it seems we can't go anywhere without people trying to kill us... 

By Josh Rikard on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 05:55 pm:

Rikard comes out of the bathroom and looks at the team of medics and various LICC crew standing around.
Whoa. What did I miss?

By Commander Milkshake on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 07:06 pm:

Hi Josh.

7 thugs with ion guns tried to rob the place, the Captain stopped them, someone outside tried to kill the Captain with a huge blaster carbine, Ensign Throwaway saved him and got blasted himself.

This is going to cost me a mint on cleaning and repairing the place. Oh well, I can afford it. 

By Captain Tacoman on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 08:26 pm:

Yes Josh... you can the thugs right over there... Steve, as I said before we were interrupted, contact the police and tell them the LICC has a present for them. 

By Greymoran on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 11:51 pm:

INTERUPTS ACTION!

Hello Captain Tacoman. I imagine this must come as a shock to you. Time frozen around you like that. But I'm afraid that this is the only way you can see and hear me. Anyway, I'm here to tell you, look for the key. You'll know what I mean when you see it. Carry on son. 

By Captain Tacoman on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 - 08:10 am:

Tacoman blinks and people start moving around again
Steve, I just had a strange thing happen.. everything around me was frozen, and somebody told me to "look for the key" and that I'll know what they mean when I see it...

By Frangelica and Subway Man on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 - 12:09 pm:

A cab pulls up in front of the smoking building, and two figures step out of it.

Fifteen bucks from the Spaceport? Highway robbers. Sorry we're late-- we had to double back to New York and tidy up some affairs we left behind when we came out to help stop Dr. Negative.

Looks around at blast-charred sidewalk, Christmas-wrapped pile of thugs...
Geez. Four measly hours and we miss all the fun. What's going on and is it an adventure yet?

And what is that black TerrSec helicopter up there doing?

By Three people in the Terrasec helicoppter on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 - 02:20 pm:

A1: Frangellica is far away from the scene of the accident. Did she know or does that rule her out.
A2: It could mean anything. or nonthing.
B: My gut tells me she is innocent. Let's keep watch, A2.
A1: where's A2
B: she dissapeared again. She has that habit.

(Mark Morgan Appears on viewscreen)
Angels, Phil sent me an E-mail order.
"Dear Angels, Figure out who set off the bomb :-)
Thank you :-)
Chief"

Angels let's do it.

(Phil's Angels dramatic theme song plays) 

By Commander Adon on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 - 02:37 pm:

Adon stood, surrounded by a large pile of splinters. He flew over the top of the pile and landed near the Observer.

Its been fun, thanks for letting me borrow the place. I'll see you on the other side.

Adon waved 'goodbye' and faded from the Observer's private universe. He suddenly found himself in the cockpit of his combat suit with a TerrSec shuttle in hot pursuit.

He transformed into robot mode, caught the shuttle, and set it not-to-gently on the ground. Then he pulled out the beam sword, sliced the engines off the shuttle, transformed back into plane mode, and flew away.

Takes care of them. I wonder if they have been pestering anyone else.

After Docking in the Spidership, Adon transports himself to a Milkshake Shop, that has a broken window, a few blaster burns, and several gift wrapped criminal.

I see that I am not the only one having some trouble here on Earth.

By TerrSec on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 - 04:26 pm:

Meanwhile, back on the shuttle.
Agent: Did you fire the tracking beacon.
Agent 2: Yes sir, I don't think that he noticed it attach it. If he didn't, then now he won't be able to find it. The special shielding system should shield anyone from the LICC from finding it for a while.
A few seconds later, the sliced off parts of the shuttle rejoin with it to make the shuttle whole again. The shuttle lifts off.

By The Observer on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 - 04:45 pm:

(Observer phases into view)

Hello all. I...

(Observer notices the energy-scarred surfaces of the milkshake shoppe, the bound and chagrined hoodlums, the extremely large weapon in Milkshake's hands and the injured ensign on the floor.)

Interesting. No need to ask how everyone's day went, hmm? 

By Captain Tacoman on Tuesday, December 05, 2000 - 11:21 pm:

Nope. Observer, the gun Milkshake is holding was once held by someone trying to kill me... the gun is a TerrSec issue. I was saved by a redshirt... who somehow survived the encounter... 

By Jadlad on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 05:36 am:

I still don't know how he lived. 

By Nitpicking K-NIT TV-47 viewer on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 11:28 am:

Obviously he is crucial to the plot being developed. Either his father knew Tacoman when he was younger, or something like that. He still has a 50-50 chance of dying when the plot thread is over. 

By Captain Tacoman on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 11:58 am:

Steve, I was just thinking... When we destroyed Negative's base, was time restored to normal? I mean, was the Dome in New Atlantis restored to it's former glory? Did the odd time waves spreading across the solar system stop? And what about Naomi? 

By Lt PD Insane on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 01:47 pm:

You mean Ansh, right????

Observer, Steve told me you were a Jedi. Could I become your apprentice?

Oh, and I wonder if Greymoran ahs anything to do with this? We'll split up! Who's coming with me to GiantLand? 

By Commander Adon on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 02:10 pm:

I'd rather not go to GiantLand. Recently, crowds have made me nervous. Its strange, I have been able to sence weaker and weaker people. Crowds tend to get overwhelming.

How did a redshirt survive? I think that will be a mystery that will never be solved. 

By The Guy Who Calls The Shots on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 02:18 pm:

It was because the fates couldn't tell a redshirt from someone in a festive red outfit. See above. 

By The Observer on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 04:33 pm:

Regarding your questions, Captain...

When Negative and Chronos Facility were thrown somewhere in time, the mysterious time fluctuations stopped. I believe his (subjectively) primitive Chronos Device was causing the time/space continuum to become unstable. The fact that the instabilities have ceased indicates that wherever Negative is, his Chronos Device has ceased to function. A few hundred years from now, humans will discover stable temporal-fluxing devices.

A TerrSec weapon, eh? Do you mind if I examine it?

(Milkshake hands the weapon to the Observer, who looks at it closely.)

Yes, a TS-1174W 8-barrel Blaster Carbine. Power Rating 346X. These are rarely used. It is powerful enough to destroy a combat-hardened mobile weapons platform. Someone wants you dead, Captain. Incredible this ensign survived at all. May I suggest that we have those medical authorities who now are taking him to the hospital remove his red shirt to improve his chances of surviving? 

By Josh Rikard on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 04:57 pm:

Maybe he's related to Scott. 

By Inspector Mystery on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 05:52 pm:

I wonder why TerrSec is after You Captain? Have any prior encounters with them? BTW, good to meet you ED. 

By Commander Milkshake on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 05:53 pm:

The medics take Ensign Throwaway to the hospital, and Milkshake calls his maintenence engineers to fix up the Milkshake Shoppe.

Hmmm, I don't know about the Capitol, Captain. Who knows if we'll ever see it again?

By Commander Adon on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 06:48 pm:

Perhaps we should take our vacation elsewhere. Someplace outside of TerrSec jurisdiction. So far, I've been nearly abducted, spied on, and shot at. If this is a vacation, I will take work any day. 

By Captain Tacoman on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 08:37 pm:

Previous encounters with TerrSec... well, I guess I did contact them once when I was writing my book... But that was only to get some information about the Department of Superheroics...
So TerrSec has been after you too, huh Adon? This is getting stranger and stranger...
Tacoman walks over the the medial people who are finishing loading the redshirt into the ambulance
Excuse me... Would you please remove his red shirt and replace it with this...
Tacoman makes a call to the Spidership, which sends down a blue shirt. Tacoman hands the shirt to the medical people
Thanks. We want this redshirt to survive.

By Commander Milkshake on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 08:40 pm:

Even though we've stopped them once, they're bound to try again. I don't know if even the Spidership is safe, Captain. It's been in port long enough for TerrSec to plant something in it.

Perhaps we should contact EarthSys Intel. They're the only bureau strong enough to face TerrSec and they owe us one after we took care of Negative.

Tacoman gets up from his seat and paces a bit, thinking. Just then his chair explodes, flinging most of the heroes across the shop.

By Commander Adon on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 08:52 pm:

Adon reaches up and pulls a piece of the chair out of his shoulder. He tosses the piece aside and applies a dermo-regenator to the injury.
This is getting intolerable. Can I blow up their headquarters? Please?

At that moment, several heavily armed security guards burst into the shop. They quickly spread out and point their weapons at the stunned heroes.
Guard: "Don't move a weapon. I want every last one of you so called 'superheroes' to get outside and into the transports NOW! And don't try anything funny."

With that, the heroes are herded into several waiting unmarked armored transports and driven away.

By Lt Commander Rikard, on duty again on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 11:35 pm:

Should we try to escape? These guys could be TerrSec. Then again, they could be the good guys. If they are, we probably don't want to fight them. 

By Greymoran on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 - 11:50 pm:

(Freezes time for Tacoman again)

hate to bother you again, but I fear you've drifted too far off the path. But be warned, once you're bakc on it you will never see me again. The key is closer to you then you realize. Also, everything you've seen is just a microscopic cog in a catastrophic plan. Fear the one with the purple circle. He will only bring you misery.

(everything returns to normal) 

By The Amazing Quantum Man on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 02:54 am:

Whispers to Tacoman

The transports are ordinary material. I can tunnel out. What do you want me to do?

By Dr. Plum on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 06:38 am:

Hi everybody! Do you like my new purple dart board? 

By Captain Tacoman on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 08:20 am:

Tacoman looks up with a start as time restarts
I was just visited by the person who stopped time again. The key he mentioned? He said it's "closer to you then you realize" Milkshake, scan the vehicle for a key, or something key-shaped, or something that could be a key.
By the way... I don't trust this Dr. Plum.
Q.M, first we let Steve scan the area, and then we escape.

By The Observer on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 10:50 am:

I'm not sure that your visitor meant a literal key. He could mean something more supernatural, I'm not sure. The first thing to do is to get out of here. I'm fairly sure this will work, if you will all join hands, please.

(The heroes all join hands, and the Observer utters a few words in a beautiful tonal language.)

Here we are.

(The heroes suddenly find themselves in a natural bowl of a tall mountain, with a small stand of trees nearby.)

Now we can talk without fear of any more attacks. Although when we leave, we will be right back in the transports and we shall need to escape. What exactly did your "visitor" tell you, Captain? 

By Jadlad on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 11:11 am:

Yeah Taco. What's up? 

By Captain Tacoman, explaining things on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 12:44 pm:

Luckily, I managed to record both encounters... the first time the "visitor" visited, he said...
Tacoman presses a button on his wrist, and a holoimage appears
INTERUPTS ACTION
Hello Captain Tacoman. I imagine this must come as a shock to you. Time frozen
around you like that. But I'm afraid that this is the only way you can see and hear
me. Anyway, I'm here to tell you, look for the key. You'll know what I mean when you
see it. Carry on son.
The second time, the person said...
Tacoman presses another button
(Freezes time for Tacoman again)
hate to bother you again, but I fear you've drifted too far off the path. But be
warned, once you're bakc on it you will never see me again. The key is closer to you
then you realize. Also, everything you've seen is just a microscopic cog in a
catastrophic plan. Fear the one with the purple circle. He will only bring you misery.

By Lt PD Insane on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 01:04 pm:

Maybe a port-key? 

By Revenant71 on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 01:30 pm:

Meanwhile, in the mess hall, Sgt. Milos Fortesky is enjoying a burrito.... 

By Revenant71 on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 01:55 pm:

....when Fortesky is called to come to the gym. "Blast it!", he says, then gets up and leaves. 

By Phils Angels on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 03:50 pm:

(The Angels attack the patrole vechicles guarding the Transport)

Amanda: Okay, Beth what's the plan?

Beth: The victems were assigned to a patrol the Transport. A women was watching from a window and a call was made from the vechicle. None of them survived. The murders were done by M-16's and arcane weaponry.

Amber: I have the medkit and the one liners.

Amanda: I'll take care of the weaponry. Pokeball go!
(a Fearow appears)
(Pulls out a stake)
Let the attack begin. 

By Lord of the Hamburgers, the charbroiled avenger! on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 03:59 pm:

The Lord of the Hamburgers enters the control room of his ship. He is a tall man with brown hair and green eyes, wearing a short-sleeved white t-shirt with a picture of a hamburger on it, a cape designed to resemble a hamburger bun (with sesame seeds) held together by a clasp resembling a metallic pickle chip, and red pants with yellow boots...

LotH: Don't worry, heroes...soon I will make my presence known, and you will all rejoice! Hold the onions! I'm on my way! 

By Phils Angels on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 11:20 pm:

(The Continued attack)
Beth: The victems put up a strugle.

Amanda: Fearow return! Charizard! I choose you!
(loads her crossbow)
Amber: 4077! 4077!

They sink the patrole crafts 

By Interuption on Thursday, December 07, 2000 - 11:29 pm:

INTERMISSION

Just so you know, Greymoran is a white human male, with black hair abd full beard, wearing an ornage hooded robe trimmed with crimson, and a gold medalion. A yin-yang symbol with a dragon and a lion. Action can continue now. 

By Plot Complication on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 12:16 am:

A small ship approaches.

A comm signal is sent.

"*static* lease HELP! My eng *static* are falling apart! I only have a few minutes! My crew is d *static*. This is captain Keith E. Yeager! HEL *static*! E"

*Tacoman hears a faint whisper in a familiar voice, "Toitovna."*

By Quantum Man on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 12:23 am:

Captain! That's the KEY you were to look for!

Author Note: are we still in the Observer's place?

By Iron Chef of Qonos on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 12:27 am:

General Martok. Today the ingrediance will be ground targ. If you win, you gain the glory of the empire. Lose. You gain the respect of carnivores as they devour your wrecthed corspe. 

By Lord of the Hamburgers, the charbroiled avenger! on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 12:51 am:

In the control room of his ship, the Condimental, The Lord of the Hamburgers reaches for a recording device, a solemn look on his face. he presses the record button:

"These may be the last words I ever speak. If it is so, I must ask whoever finds this to see that the one known as Jadlad is given this message. My ship was attacked several days ago by a titanic space creature. The shields were destroyed, the weapons severely damaged, and the engines...the engines are only at half power. A threat from the past has come back to haunt us! Jadlad will know!"

The Lord of the Hamburgers shuts off the recording device, places it in a protective case, procedes to the ship's galley, and ejects the device into the vastness of space.

"I pray that I did not do that in vain!" 

By Anonymous #2049 on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 01:13 am:

The Greymoran subplot has been moved over to the new board. 

By Greymoran on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 01:15 am:

No it hasn't!

cause I'm Greymoran
yes I'm the real 'Moran
All you other Greymorans are just imitating
So won't the real Greymoran please stand up
please stand up
please stand up

The plotline is still over here. 

By Captain Tacoman on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 08:49 am:

Observer, rescue Mr. Yeager and his ship! 

By The Observer on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 11:41 am:

Aye, Captain. Phew, this will take a bit more work.

(Observer raises his hands, which now glow and sparkle. He recites the (magic?) words again, this time with an urgent tone. He claps his hands, and a roll of thunder rumbles. Captain Yeager's ship abruptly appears, on its side, next to a quiet stream running through the mountainous valley. Smoke and flames pour from several parts of it.)

It appears that Captain Yeager is in trouble. If one of you would be so good as to rescue him, I need to rest a minute and recharge my powers. 

By Captain Tacoman, showing concern for a fellow captain on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 12:46 pm:

The crew rushes to Yeager's ship. Tacoman opens the hatch, revealing Captain Yeager
Captain Yeager, are you alright?

By The Guy Who Calls The Shots on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 03:20 pm:

Maybe the Lord of Hamburgers, Qonos and Phil's Angels stuff should go to Phanyom Returns? 

By The guy who shoots the calls on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 03:29 pm:

Good idea. 

By Just So You know on Friday, December 08, 2000 - 06:54 pm:

Captain Yeager's reply can be found in part III. 

By Spaced Redshirt on Wednesday, December 27, 2000 - 08:26 pm:

think that