Channel One Broadcasting ArchivesNOTE: All posts below are the property of the Staff of RFC, on behalf of their original authors.
Message: 20/1 Sunday, April 18, 1999Press Conference (Part 1)
Interrupting the regularly scheduled evening show on Thor's Day, Julius 12th, 107PA:News Channel One Reporter Jhartha Fjekkat takes up for Walter, as he busies himself listening intently to the press conference in session at City Hall. "Just half an hour ago, Councilwoman Del Reyhart hosted a special press meeting." The camera cuts away to an interior shot of the city's government building, aimed towards a raised area that includes a podium and microphone set up, behind which stands Rooke in decidedly casual clothing. Just off to the side, the familiar (or not) figure of Ash stands under a sprawling clump of greenery and encourages Rooke with smiles.
Against a stately background of moulded walls and giant ferns, she clears her throat and begins speaking, amid popping flashbulbs and low murmurs in the foreground. Rooke pauses for only a moment, before beginning what seems to be an unplanned speech, as she stops once and a while to search for words within herself. The microphone whines with feedback for a few moments, before adjusting. "It's been a year and a half now, since the defeat of the Coalition, and the end of the occupation that left Tolkeen in tatters, but also in freedom. During that time, we've pulled together and rebuilt this wonderful, mighty city-state, and re-established our identity as protectors of the oppressed, and keepers of a mixed culture and peace almost lost to this world."
Walter stands patiently amidst a crowd of reporters in front of the stage. A few of the news beings begin tapping quickly into small hand-held computers while others remain riveted to the councilor and the contents of her speech.
Rooke lets out a slow breath, then draws it back in, her expression alert and leaderly, though the more observant might notice that she grips the sides of the podium with tense, whitened hands. She continues, her rusty voice gaining a ringing quality. "The economy is back in full-swing; perhaps even better than ever, as we of Tolkeen have proven ourselves undefeatable even by the greatest of odds. Our grand old buildings of learning, culture, and art, and magic.. restored, and back to prominence amongst Tolkeen's main attractions, and great strengths. Our show of strength against adversity has drawn the support of the surrounding kingdoms, and we can once more be considered one of the major forces of the land, standing against those who would sweep a blight of prejudice and violence over our homes and land. Of all these things, you should be proud.. proud of yourselves for coming this far, and determined to continue the legacy of freedom and peace that our fallen citizens and countrymen, among those former Council Brimstone and the Dirksens, fought for. It is at this point in the making of our history, that I will be leaving Council." She pauses a moment, looking over the blur of expectant faces for their reaction.(continued)
Message: 20/2 Sunday, April 18, 1999Jhartha Fjekkat's fellow anchor Walter Riely raises his hand to be allowed to ask a question, but is drowned out as the other reporters, as if in unison, utter a rush a startled murmers. A babble of impromptu questions are flung at Rooke with no concern for decorum. The bobbing heads of the reporters jostle about frantically, their questions mixing together to create a incoherent jumble of speech.
Ash stands rooted to his spot, book dangling forgotten in his hands. He blinks with a surprised expression, lips parting slightly in shock. Closing his mouth once more, he looks upon Rooke with expressive gray eyes and flashes her a brief warm, reassuring look.
Rooke shakes her head slightly, closing her eyes to block out the flashing from camera bulbs and the sight of all the shocked faces. She starts speaking, still reserved and quiet, in a bid to force the volume of the babble down enough to hear her words. "I.. came to Tolkeen only six months before war was declared, but at that point my heart was already endeared to the people and the culture of the city. And when the reigns of control were suddenly, inexplicably.. passed over to Corvus Lynx, Damion Blane, and myself, I accepted out of love for Tolkeen, and a sense of duty towards the survivors, and to honour the fallen by striving to keep the city alive and help it recover." She opens her grey eyes wider now, a gloss of tears making them shimmer under the lighting. "The recovery is over.. Tolkeen continues, a free and independent city-state, of which you have all played a part in keeping that ideal alive." Her gaze flickers to the side, focusing perhaps on Ash Benson, who stands encouragingly to the side, a giant fern monster menacing him from behind. She continues. "I am pleased to have served you all, worked alongside you, towards these goals. But my time as Council is over now. I name as my successor a being who has been in Tolkeen for twenty long years, almost a life-time for me... Paco'genefresn-ap-hesla. Many of you from the western sectors will know him as the wise Elder Grey who provided counsel and support during all those bleak months of recovery last year." She looks to the side, gesturing at a tall, willowy, robed figure near the other end of the stage, standing there calmly and gently refusing to mount the stage.
Walter starts to raise his hand again, as Rooke adds after a moment of silence, "That's all.. are there any questions?"
Cameras and recording equipment swivel like turrets towards the robed figure. Flash bulbs illuminate the Elder Grey in explosions of light. Assuming the being won't be speaking anytime today, the reporters turn their attention back to Rooke. The barrage of questions once again bark and bellow to Rooke for more answers. Queries, some odd and others downright outrageous are asked. 'Is there a specifc reason why you've stepped down?' 'Is it regarding your recent absence from town?' 'Are you being blackmailed by any underground organizations?' 'Is any romantic involvement tearing you away from council?'
Rooke blinks, a bit startled for a moment by some of the questions, before she waves her hand for order. "Please.. one at a time. I'll answer those, but then, you'll have to take turns, ladies.. gentleman.. gentlebeings.." She pauses and clears her throat, before continuing, "As I've already stated, I believe I've served my time, and helped bring Tolkeen to a point where I can safely step down. I have never had political aspirations, nor was I ever trained for this position.. I served in a time of necessity, and now will turn the position over to wiser, more capable hands." She pauses slightly, recalling the next question. Her eyes narrow slightly, and she lingers a bit in her thoughts over the question. ".... and no.. my absence has nothing to do... with my decision to step down. Uh... there's no underground involvement," she continues a bit rapidly, blinking again. "As to romantic involvement.." she chuckles nervously. "That's not really a relevent question to this subject... next question?"(continued)
Message: 20/3 Sunday, April 18, 1999Walter Riely once again tries to get Rooke's attention, but is once again drowned out by other rude reporter persons. 'Is it true you and the other councilors are having personality conflicts?' 'Is this decision effective immediately?' 'What will you plan to do now?'
Ash crosses his arms across his chest, fern hanging over him like some deranged green vulture. He watches Rooke intently, gray eyes wide and supportive. He smiles a tight, comforting little smile as the reporters about him harass the former Councilwoman with questions.
Rooke sighs a little, smiling patiently as she reiterates, "Let's keep some order, folks.. those who have a question, please raise your hand, and I'll get to you in order of turns.. but again, I will answer the questions at hand." She leans a bit more heavily against the podium, and takes a breath. "My relationships with my fellow Council have nothing to do with my decision to step down. By definition, we three have conflicting views at times, reflecting our looking after the different needs of the city when making decisions. Perhaps Councilor Blane and I have been rather vocal at times in our disagreements, but I assure you all.. we work for the good of Tolkeen." Something behind her eyes flickers, then goes dormant, unspoken. "Yes.. I have formally submitted notice of my departure from Council, and have been working hard this week on finishing what work was under my responsibility currently. As for what I will be doing now..." She pauses, frowning slightly. "I'm not quite sure.. but I -will- still for the most part run my arts and entertainment center, Random Acts.." She finishes and looks over the throng for a raised hand.
Walter raises his hand to ask a question, luckily beating out a few others to the punch. Rooke nods to Walter, raising her voice a bit. "Yes.. Channel One.. Walter Riely?"
Walter pipes up from within the mob of reporters. "What about you being named the Chosen One by The Oracle? The Coalition is still encroaching on our territory. Don't you think that Tolkeen still needs you?"
Rooke falls silent, the breath leaving her for a few moments, and the blood alternately leaves her face, then surges back in a flush of tawny colour. She stares at Walter, then beyond him to the front doors of City Hall, perhaps planning her escape. Finally, coming back to herself, she shakes her head and mutters, "No... The Oracle was wrong. I'm not the Chosen One."
Walter falls silent to let his cameraman absorb the reaction. The gaggle of reporters gawk and make incredulous faces. Words of protest issue out from the mob of news beings. They scream out things like, 'But what about the White Tower?'. All in all the assembled reporters are quite livid.
Rooke narrows her eyes, a tenseness entering her posture as she grips the podium. "You misunderstand.. whatever happened before.. you.. musn't rely on prophecy.. musn't depend on things like destiny. You all saved this city, you of the occupation.. you all restored this city, you of the recovery.." She glares out at the reporters and into the cameras earnestly, forelocks brushing across her face as she bows her head forward. "You did, by your own will.. not some god's." Oooookkkay. Blasphemy-time.. but fortunately, the arched ceiling of City Hall is made of some pretty stern stuff. Lightning bolts wouldn't be able to poke their way through so easily.(continued)
Message: 20/4 Sunday, April 18, 1999Walter Riely is overwhelmed in the confusion, as the reporters babble a mass of protests and words. '....white light from the Tower!' '...CS utterly defeated...' 'The Prophecy!!'. Whatever manner of Q&A that existed before is demolished and descends into an anarchy of furious ramblings.
Ash looks around at the unruly mob that seems be forming around him with growing concern, and edges closer to the podium. Letting his arms fall to dangle at his sides, book held tightly in the fingers of his left hand, he looks up to Rooke, worry creasing his features.
Rooke bears down on the podium for a moment, looking about to rend the elegant wooden structure apart. Her eyes blaze with frustration and anger at the state of the Hall, and she growls out, "Enough... one last time.. I am -not- the Chosen One. The only destiny that matters is the one you make for yourselves! ...this meeting... is over!" She tears away from the podium and -jumps- down into the milling crowd, colliding with Ash. She grabs his free hand and -plows- through the throng of reporters, heading for the door. Trying to, anyway.
Walter gets bowled over and staggers under the mass that tries to follow Rooke. The reporters stab their fingers into the sky and waggle their tongues, demanding and pleading for more information of Rooke as she moves through the crowd. None of the news beings dare impede her progress directly and thus her path through the mob isn't hindered very badly. The level of noise inside the mass of reporters is quite high, everybody venting questions and trying to raise their voice about their comrades.
Ash grips Rooke's hand tightly and uses a body toned hard by years of soldiering to its best advantage, shouldering his way through the crowd while doing his best to protect Rooke from similar treatment. A grim expression falls over his face as he pushes through the unruly mob. Looking down to Rooke he smiles a quick, wordless smile and makes his way out the front.
Rooke keeps her chin up defiantly, but watches a cleared spot near the door fixedly, as flashbulbs and microphones chase at a safe distance. As they pass beyond the Channel One cameraman, the picture cuts back to the News-room, and Jartha looks alertly into the camera, stating that more news will be available later as the details are sorted out.Announcer: "We now return to your regularly scheduled program."
Message: 20/5 Wednesday, June 2, 1999Trial: Hawthorn VS Blane
Aired for a week sometime in Late Autumn, 107PAThe Channel One Logo replaces the face of Sally Jherfy Donnatello, as she denounces the D-Bee sitting on the front stage as a lying sack of scum. An announcer's voice comes over saying, "We interrupt your regularly scheduled program for this special broadcast... Reporting live from the Channel One Studios, here is Walter Riely.."
Walter Riely appears, along with a caption over his left shoulder reading, "On Trial:" The reporter begins speaking, "We take you live to the Tolkeen Municipal Courts, where City Councilman Damion Blane has been accused of attempted murder against Doctor Jeremy Hawthorne the Third, of the Tolkeen Medical Center." He disappears and gets replaced by a scene from the courtroom, filled with a number of spectators and reporters that occupy seats near the back of the room. Two separate areas are meant for plaintiff and defendant, on the right and left of the Magistrates' bench, respectively. All three seats behind the bench are currently filled.
Magistrate Salindros scrabbles to get ahold of the gavel before him and grips it firmly. As the other two magistrates sit patiently. He raises his head and whacks the gavel sharply against the bench. He bellows, "This case will now come to order! Now..." He shuffles papers before him. "...The case of Jeremy Hawthorne versus Damion Blane." He peers down at Damion and asks, "Mr. Blane. You are charged with counts of attempted murder and assault and battery. Before we go any further...I have notice that you intend to bring up counter charges against Mr. Hawthorne. Is this accurate?"
Damion nods, "Correct, he used a weapon in the fight and that's as illegal as anything else I've heard of" The camera zooms in onto his face, and beneath him a caption reading, "Damion Blane, Tolkeen City Councilman" appears.
The Camera returns to the magistrates, Magistrate Kasgoth's shoulders droop quickly as he takes a quick breath. His eyes drift over to Damion's position as he speaks, giving the impression of intent listening as he watches silently.
Magistrate Salindros speaks in a voice that carries to all corners of the courtroom. "At this time statements will be heard from all parties involved, with any supporting evidence presented to the bench."
Salindros clears his throat. "All parties involved are of course sworn to tell the nothing but the truth. Gentlemen, please keep your statements free of hearsay. Stick to the facts. Mr. Hawthorne will begin by telling us what happened the day of the alleged incident."
Jeremy rises and speaks: "Mmm, Doctor Jeremy Michael Hawthorne the Third, Hospital Administrator and Surgeon at Tolkeen Medical Centre. My citizenship papers were actually filed at the Tolkeen City Hall, so Im not exactly sure if theyre still extant. If required, I do have duplicates in my office safe. I also have citizenship papers filed with the City-State of Lazlo, where Im a Naturalized Citizen." A caption appears beneath him as well, restating the doctors words.
He continues, "I understand I also am still a citizen some town in England somewhere, but I fear you wouldn't know the name, and its a bit of a moot point, anyway. Let me begin this, my statement for the Tolkeen Municipal Courts: It was on the evening of Decembre the 11th, year one-hundred-and-six by the post-apocalyptic calendar. It was later in the evening. I remember it well. I had just left a late shift at the hospital, and was accordingly a bit tense. I'd had a few matters come up missing shipments, damaged parts that I needed to consult with Councilor Del Reyhart about..."
Walter Riely interjects as the long winded doctor rambles on, "You are listening to Doctor Jeremy Hawthorne, III as he gives his account of what happened that night."
Jeremy explains, "So, I arrived at the intersection of Lazlo Avenue and Freedom Way, near the establishment owned by one Kiana, the Succubus. Thats actually where I spotted the Councilor. I ran to follow her, and a bit of taut-nerved parley ensued. A bit of the ol' back-and-forth between us, as always. Some of it not quite as light-hearted as it could be, of course, but I meant no ill-will by it, certainly. Anyone who knows myself and Rooke could tell you that I certainly am more fond of the girl than I am of myself, sometimes...
"...There was a bit more parley, then, there were three gunshots back at the street. So, we pushed our troubles aside and rushed back to see what the trouble was. Apparently, Damion had fired off some rounds at an errant hovercycle belonging to a Militia member who was going a bit too fast. There was some high-tempers involved there, as well, as I remember it. Quite the scene. I missed quite a bit of it, honestly... ...I remember the conversation then diverted to a discussion of the state of the fledgling Tolkeen City Police Department. I made a negative comment or two...
"...Damion then remarked to me that I shouldn't make pokes at an armed man. With that, I then replied that he wasn't what I was criticizing. Just that he was a bit sociopathic which I didn't see as a problem, as long as he recognized his limits and such. He then motioned me aside to talk. I went with him, trying to do the gentlemanly thing. I suspected something was wrong, and commented that this was my belief. That's when the fellow lashed out with a rather savage kick towards my middle. He told me, in no uncertain terms, that he meant to give me a lesson. Thankfully, the kick was a miss. Then, attempting to see to my own safety, I lashed out with a palm strike, aided by a concealed palm needle (an implant I've registered at the Tolkeen Medical Center, loaded that evening with a light sleep agent, (a preventative measure I often take)...
"...I do remember that I wound up landing a lucky blow and emptying a full load of sleep-toxin into him. Possibly another--I think that was how much it took to put him down permanently. Once that was completed, he started to get angry. He picked me up in a bear-hug, and squeezed me rather painfully. Rather nearly until I burst, if I do say so myself...
"...Then, there was a kind of darkness, before I collapsed onto the pavement. He left me there and staggered back some, and I imagine I made some empty threats about the sleep agent being a lethal toxin at that point, I just wanted to confirm his fears and get him to leave me the hell alone. I felt as if my insides were fully ready to rupture. My bones ached. I assume Rooke managed to take me to the hospital."
Jeremy concludes, "Thats where I woke up, in a brace with my jaw wired closed and my ribs similarly packaged. I felt like death warmed over and it seems I nearly was. I almost died on the table, I understand. In all my time on this planet, and in the city of Tolkeen, I've never been so damn terrified. I really did believe my death was near."<continued in next post>
Message: 20/6 Wednesday, June 2, 1999Jeremy sits down and Salindros pauses a moment as he absorbs the information. Finally, the old Magistrate looks tired and turns to Damion asking, "Do you have anything to add? Perhaps in a shorter more concise fashion?"
A bailiff walks over to Jeremy's section and collects a file folder of evidence he wishes to submit to the court.
Damion says "Most of that's fairly accurate, though the shots weren't -at- a militia hovercycle as much as the driver needed it." He waves it off, "A non issue, it was handled through channels. As to the beating I gave the Doc here, I did. My only other option was to kill him in the arena and I don't like killing my friends... the man spit in my face publically and though some sneer at such things I can't. His beating spared his life which was my aim" He shrugs "In hind site I guess I should have drug him into the ring & shot him instead" During the speech he neither rises or even moves, he just looks dead into the center judges eyes as if the rest of the world did not exist... once finished he sits back and takes out a boot flask which he takes a swig from.
Magistrate Salindros looks severely at Damion. "Please refrain from boozing it up in this courtroom, Mr. Blane. Do you have any evidence to submit for the court's consideration?"
Damion nudges a folder marked with Tokeen Medical's stamp across the table "The emergency room report from the hospital, it says that I was subjected to at least two doses of a fairly powerful sedative and that the needle left rather large holes and tears across my stomach"
Salindros announces to the courtroom, "Also submitted into evidence is a video recording of the Militia's questioning of the two parties." The old Magistrate looks at another file. "No witnesses have been called by either party to speak. Unless anyone present has anything pertinent to add, the magistrates will retire to weigh the statements and evidence."
The bailiff comes forward to collect Damion's evidence. It is deposited along with Jeremy's on the Magistrate's bench.
Jeremy raises his hand and shoots back up to speak: "The man is twice my size, and twice my level of skill. I'm a surgeon. Hes a professional warrior. It is my personal belief that Damion Blane did, with malice of forethought and intent, go about bashing my head in with the attempt to do me severe harm. He took my slights to his ego far too personally, and decided, then and there, either to do me in, or just show me by means of force that he is not a man to be trifled with. It is my belief that he is a sociopath, and-"
His speech is cut short by a gesture from Magistrate Salindros, who interjects, "You are stepping into qualitative statements on mental health that, I believe, you are not qualified to make, Dr. Hawthorne. As well, your beliefs as to Mr. Blane's intent are inadmissible." He pauses once more to see if any more statements are forthcoming, but Jeremy has seated himself. Salindros rises. "We will now review the evidence and statements heard today. This court will reconvene at a later date to deliver a judgement. Until that time it is strongly suggested that Mr. Blane and Dr. Hawthorne do not interact on any level." Salindros raps his gavel loudly and the three magistrates rise to retreat to their chambers.
Walter Riely reappears as the courtroom begins to empty, saying, "You were watching the trial of Councilman Damion Blane vs. Doctor Jeremy Hawthorne the Third. The judges have convened to their chambers to deliberate the fates of these two men, and we return you now to your regulalry scheduled program. Stay tuned to Channel One for more coverage of the Trial..."Sally Jherfy Donatello reappears as the show draws to a close.. apparently she's spent the entire last half of the show berating the poor D-Bee sitting on the stage...
Message: 20/7 Wednesday, June 2, 1999Verdict: Hawthorne VS Blane
A week or so later, in the middle of Tolkeen's acclaimed cooking show, Muffe Torkel's Grand Feast, Walter Riely reappears amid dramatic music. He begins, "In several minutes, we'll take you live to the trial of Doctor Jeremy Hawthorne, III vs. Councilman Damion Blane. Council-member Blane has been accused of attempted murder, and assault and battery against the Doctor. The magistrates have finished deliberating the case, and after a recess have resumed court..." Walter disappears, but can continue to be heard as the three magistrates enter the courtroom to the usual formalities. "It looks like the magistrates are about give their findings..."
The camera focuses on both parties, briefly displaying captions giving their name and occupation. It seems that, for now, the Doctor has forgone clothing of a formalized nature. As a matter of fact, he looks as if he hadn't had time to change. He sits at his respective table, bright eyes firmly riveted on a sheaf of paper held loosely in absently trembling hands.
Damion nods slowly at the newly seated magistrates, no other reaction comes from him at all. Just the carefully blank expression of a gunfighter in yet another battle.
The noise level of the court drowns out any possible conversation, and it's obvious that the local camera crew is having some difficulty modulating the noise level and from time to time the level rises and falls as the crew attempts to catch what is said. Salindros bangs a small gavel repeatedly against his table and bellows in his scrawny voice for silence. The ambient noise from those present eventually dies down and subsides completely. Salindros clears his aged throat and speaks loud enough for all to hear. "The verdict has been reached in the case of Dr. Jeremy Hawthorne versus Council-member Damion Blane. Would both parties please rise?" One of his withered hands waves at both Jeremy and Damion to rise.
Damion stands up and nods, his thumbs loop through his belt on either side of his belt buckle as he waits.
Magistrate Kasgoth and Wyndham both rise to their feet as their fellow Magistrate prepares to give out the verdicts. Magistrate Salindros stands as well and raises an ocular device to one eye as he reads off a sheet before him. "On the charge of Assault and Battery we three do find Council-member Damion Blane guilty. On the second charge, that of attempted murder, we do find Council-member Damion Blane guilty." A roar of babbling resounds from reporters and spectators alike. Salindros attempts to silence this with fierce thwackings of his gavel. "Silence! Be quiet so I can finish!"
More stony silence from the Doc, as the camera focuses briefly on his reaction. The observant may catch a faint motion of the lips upwards, the tight clenching of a fist-He's triumphant!
Salindros frowns and continues to rap the desk until some manner of control can be established. Bailiffs look warily about them but maintain a stoic posture at their respected positions. Already some reporters have scurried off to make a semi-incomplete report.
As the camera focuses on the councilman, Damion's mouth curls into a half smile, he doesn't move and seems almost -bored- by the proceedings. As the magistrate sounds gavel he turns and holds up his hands, saying loudly "Let the man finish... so I can challenge his wisdom" Damion turns back to Salindros and gestures, "Please, continue"
Salindros clears his throat, which sounds alot like a broken blender on its last legs. "The counter charges filed against Dr. Jeremy Hawthorne by Council-member Damion Blane...The court finds these counter charges without grounds, as self defense on the doctor's part was not illegal nor the power level unreasonable." He eyes both Jeremy and Damion sternly. "Thusly, it is the judgement of this court that Damion Blane pay for Dr. Jeremy Hawthorn's medical bills and an extra fine for pain and suffering totaling 30,000 credits. If Mr. Blane becomes a repeat offender of any such serious crime again he will face much more...serious charges. Also..." His voice becomes even louder and his voice quite monotone. "In light of Damion Blane's position on council, the normal sentence of three years minimum enforced public service shall be lessened to 500 hours. However, a committee will be delegated the task of reviewing the council seat that Damion possesses and whether he is fit to hold such a title." He raps his gavel on the desk with a resounding clack. "This trial is concluded." The magistrates sits back in their chairs and look impassively over the congregation. The bailiffs wait for any adverse reactions before rising to clear the courtroom.
The courtroom remains on screen, along with the noise level as the spectators slowly make their way out the door in a noisy fashion. Walter speaks, "You were watching the trial of Chief Medical Jeremy Hawthorne versus Council-member Damion Blane. The verdict: Guilty.." As the two parties prepare to leave the courtroom, Walter stops, interrupted by the Councilman.
Damion holds up a hand, "Not so fast Salindros, your judgement is invalid... prior to the trial I said I was willing to undergo mental probes to determine my guilt or innocence, I -asked- for this... it was not done. You return a verdict without evidence now? If that is the case then I certainly accept it as you are currently a magistrate of Tolkeen." He turns to Jeremy and sighs, "You have this small bit Jeremy, and though I had wished to spare your life I find myself -required- now to challenge you to a duel in the arena. You have taken it on yourself to bring me as much grief as possible therefor I will see you legally slain by my hand... though it is not what I had wanted at all" He smiles "I will accept no champions, this is a personal matter between me and you now"
The camera quickly zooms in on the enraged Doctor...A pause...a breath caught in the chest. Jeremy turns on Damion with an absolutely incredulous look. "You simply -must- be shitting me," he intones gravely, his eyes widening with dismay. "After ... all this... you -are- mad, Blane! You think I'd take you seriously? You think I'd expect you to fight like a -gentleman- after all this? And -then- you make -conditions-?!"<continued in next post>
Message: 20/8 Wednesday, June 2, 1999At the sudden commotion in the courtroom the spectators push to get back into the courtroom, pushing against those still inside to reenter.
Damion shrugs "Want to or not, you will show up and you will fight me. How you fight is your choice"
Jeremy snorts in absolute derision, brows furrowing tightly. He brings up his hand, rattling off his counts n his fingers, his voice high and unbelieving. "-FIRST- off, it's not your case to make conditions! Secondly, Mister Blane, I don't /have/ to do anything! I'm under no obligation- to appear...and I'm /certainly/ under no obligation to fight you! Finally, who are you to tell me that you won't accept a second?! It's a time honored tradition! That's how it's been since the ring -began-! You can't just /defile it/ by forcing me into a bloody slaughter!" He begins to step towards Damion, the pressure he'd previously begun to release peacefully venting itself through a course of anger and dismay. Besides his tone of voice, however, he seems otherwise perfectly reasonable. Slow steps, small steps, hands still gesticulating too frantically to busy themselves with killing the man. "If it's your intention to murder me, Blane...do it here! In this court--Do it -now-. I won't /let you/ make it a noble, worthy thing that protects you from prosecution. If you're to massacre me, make it the cowardly, low-down, sniveling act it really is...what with witnesses and all." He sneers lightly, inclining his head, taking a stand a few steps from his seat. "Don't be a -fool- . I wouldn't right you in the Ring even if I had a second. I don't trust you to stick to the rules...cow-poke."
Salindros looks severely at Damion, seeming sourly accepting of the fact that court may not adjourn just yet. "Your opinion was not requested, Councilman Blane. A mind probe is hardly reliable when the accused is of a questionable mental state, as taped evidence and testimonies have indicated." Seeing the challenge issued and discussion of such continuing without heed for the presence of the Magistrates, Salindros scowls and raps his gavel again, half-rising from his seat. "Gentlemen, you will kindly take this challenge and all related squabble from this courtroom or be found in contempt!"
The bailiffs leap up after a moment's shock at the occurrences, and begin to enforce the final order... pushing the remaining spectators out the door and then approaching the two parties of the trial.
As the Bailiffs push the reporters out the door, the camera shuts off and Walter returns, quickly saying, "Well.. uh the bailiffs have forced our crew out of the courtroom, we'll take a moment to recap. Councilman Blane has been convicted of attempted murder, and sentenced to 500 hours of community service, and to pay 10,000 credits of restitution to Doctor Hawthorne for medical bills and traumatic suffering... Oh, we're getting word that the two parties have left the courtroom.." Walter disappears and gets replaced by a wobbly camera image of a horde of reporters converging on the two men like a pack of piranha.
The two men are arguing forcibly between each other as the push their way through the throng, Jeremy shouts at the councilman over the din, "...You opportunistic sack of shit...worthless, sick, twisted sociopathic vagrant! Villainous, traitorous mongrel..."
Damion Blane leans over and gets in the face of the doctor, saying, "...Of course, I don't make public that my salary from the council goes 100% to charity do I? You just make me stop that to pay your bills and some fine from the city I work my -ass- off for every fucking day" His finger comes up to emphasize his words "You Jeremy Hawthorne the-fucking-third are the one hurting the poor and the sick... I'm just trying to protect the people from simpering idiots -like- you!"
A grimace...a sad shake of the head as Jeremy's eyes harden. "You're...a monster. I've done so -much- for the poor...the sick...the ill! And you'd /destroy/ the hospital! Just...to kill me." He takes a pause, then, once more, spits mightily towards Damion's feet. The same action that caused this mess in the first place. "I -won't- fight you. I won't give you the satisfaction of fighting you."
The horde of reporters begins to squabble among itself, while at the same time shouting over each other trying to ask the first question and be the first to stick the microphone in one of the two's face... Sydo shoulders his way in between the anxious reporters, shouting for Damion's attention, "Councilman Blane! Councilman Blane! Can we ask you a few questions!?" The man gets pushed back by a smaller... but apparently stronger woman who asks Damion the same question.
Damion frowns at the rush of cameras then raises his hands for silence "Shut up a second and get your shit together or I won't answer anything" He allows that to sink in for a moment then turns back to Jeremy "Then quit, find something else... because I won't fund your programs Jeremy. You chose this course and now you think I'm going to give you a break after you've busted my nuts for months? You're as crazy as Salindros is..."
The reporters continue to push and shove, but the noise lessens to only a "..and you're a traitor," Jeremy states simply. His voice is hollower now, a newly kindled fire burning cold within his belly. "You claim to be the Defender...of what? Your pride." Another pause as he sneers. "Your own security. Using the hallowed seat of Councilor in order to pursue your own agenda..." He scowls yet again. "You're unfit for the seat, Blane. Step down."
Damion smiles and shakes his head, "No, I'm on the council Jeremy... that gives me every right, even the responsibility to protect the city however I can. You are a weak link in the city's services Jeremy, a cancer lurking and waiting to weaken us the next time Karl's boys come knocking on our walls... and I'm cutting you out. You want me out Jeremy" he smiles broadly and spreads his hands "remove me, it should be simple for you right?" His face becomes a neutral mask "Now you'll have to excuse me, the press wants a minute or two of my time... I -am- quite busy you know, a full day working on city business, a second full day working for the city because of your case and then a third full day's work earning my living. Get out of my face Jeremy, before you make me puke"
"Civilization is built on -civility-," Jeremy intones firmly. "Not vile -threats, bullshit, and violence. It's people like you who will make this place Karl's domain..." Jeremy gives an exasperated sigh, pacing away rather wearily. More weight settles onto his shoulders as he watches the jackals spring into action.
Damion points at Sydo. "You had something before you got run over?"
Sydo pushes the rude woman who took his place aside and starts shouting again in a poor attempt to get his voice over the other reporters... "MISTER COUNCILMAN! ARE ... REALLY ... A DUEL?!" He repeats himself as the others quiet down.. news-conference etiquette apparently kicking in. "Mister Councilman, Are you truly serious about challenging Dr. Hawthorne to a Duel?"<continued in next post>
Message: 20/9 Wednesday, June 2, 1999Damion nods, "Absolutely, there are fights daily in Tolkeen over such trivial things as pride and honor. When Hawthorne spit in my face one fine day he -earned- every lick I gave him. Now that I have been convicted of trying to murder him, a ludicrous charge from the start, I have no choice except to raise the stakes to where the good doctor apparently wanted them. Now he has his wish and is afraid to face his choices"
Jeremy makes his way to sit by himself... he finds a bench off to the side where he plunks himself down, apparently waiting for a ride. He spins the folder away from him with one hand, scattering papers about haphazardly. They spin upwards, then the sheaf comes down in a languid rain of paperwork. He settles his head into his hands, groaning softly.
The woman shoved aside rubs her shoulder a moment before being recognized by the Councilman.. she must have pulled a muscle or something in all the excitement. "Councilman Blane", she asks, "What will you do if the court decides to remove you from office?", adding quickly, "Does the court have the right to remove you from office?"
Damion chuckles, "To my knowledge they can't, there's no provision for removing a councilor other than resignation or death. Besides, they didn't bother trying did they? I've been sentenced and that's it until the next time I think"
The reporters start up again before one in the back yells, "WILL THERE BE A NEXT TIME, MISTER COUNCILMAN??!"
More silence from Jeremy as he grimly contemplates, angst-ridden and disgusted with existence. "I can't fucking -believe- this," he looks to be hissing, undertones of hatred coming with his words.
Damion smiles, "Of course there will, now that the court has set the precedent of convicting council-members regardless of evidence and procedures who -won't- be charging us with all sorts of crimes?"
In the background, Jeremy rises and steps out towards the door. He pats Hillary's desk as he passes, his valiant features paler than usual. His remarks are too quiet to be heard on the camera as he is largely ignored by the mob of reporters surrounding the councilman. He offers her a half-hearted smile. Telling her something as he leaves. He forces a laugh, then pauses at the door at the last minute...turning to coldly regard the scene.
Damion points at Sydo, "You again, what?"
Sydo asks over the din of the other reporters, "Even with the magistrate's sentance, d'you think you'll be able to devote your time to do your duties as a councilman to the best of your abilities? Are you still the "Defender" prof'sized by the Oracle, or do you deny it like former Councilwoman Del-Reyhart?"
Damion laughs "I'll be a councilman full time, as far as my being any sort of Defender I think that was spoken for today... back when people started calling me Defender I tried telling them I was an -Offender-." He shrugs "Seriously, the prophecy never said we were perfect did it? Just that we were chosen for a task... Rooke's task seems done, mine might be with the CS Army forced back. I don't like magic much myself, but I've learned not to buck it either. If I'm still covered by the title then things'll work out... if you want answers to questions like that, go talk to the Oracle."
A heavyset reporter pipes up after being recognized by the Councilman, "Will the verdict of attempted murder seriously affect your working relationship with the other council-members?"
Damion says "I have no idea, the only other current member of the council is a guy I've only run across a couple of times." He smiles "I doubt it however, except for the magistrates I don't think many people in Tolkeen have any doubts that if I wanted to kill I would have. The very fact that Jeremy's alive today testifies to the wrongness of my conviction"
Jeremy shakes his head grimly as he makes his way out the door. "...the world's gone mad, Hillary," he remarks wearily over his shoulder, the rest of his comments lost in the shuffle. Downtrodden, he trods off to get pleasantly pickled before he curls up in bed with a nice warm particle beam weapon at his side.
The reporter's questions begin to sound the same and repeat each other, several in a row begin to ask about Damion's personal life, a pair of reporters from a gossip magazine bring up allegations of a transspecies affair with a married Ithorian named 'Gilda'.
Damion is silent about his personal life and answers nothing, he neither denies or confirms -anything- but instead moves to the "Next" question until there are no more original comments. "Looks like you guys are out of stuff for me, I'm almost disappointed about some of the things that -weren't- asked... maybe later though" He smiles oddly and retreats into his office.
As the Councilman walks away without further ado, Walter flounders a moment as the reporters on the scene look around for Doctor Hawthorne, who seems to have dissapeared at the moment. "That was a post trial interview of Councilman Damion Blane... The councilman has challenged Doctor Hawthorne to a duel in the Ring, Doctor Hawthorne is not available for comment at the moment, so we'll return your to your scheduled programming. As always, stay tuned to Channel One for more on this story at Ten."
Walter gets replaced by the credits of the Cooking Show, Muffe Torkel's Grand Feast. Some gourmands out there must be pretty pissed that they missed Torkel's famous "Boiled Icanthian Slobber Beast over a bed of freshly roasted pseudo-carrots."...
Message: 20/10 Tuesday, Jun 22, 1999Luncheon Coverage
Date: Samhain 18th 107PA, segment played at noon, repeated in the evening and nighttime newsWalter appears on screen during the afternoon news break, while his co-anchor, Jhartha Fjekkat does the intro during her regular segment covering the lives of Tolkeen's up-and-coming public. Jhartha cheerily says, "Well, anyone who's anyone today attended the Trimus Institute for Wayward Children Charity Banquet in the /beautiful/ Freedom Hotel.. reporting live on the event is Walter Riely.. Walter?"
Walter smiles into the camera, caught up in all the excitement around him. "Jhartha, the Banquet is still going strong.. and at a thousand creds a plate, I think everyone here is getting their money's worth!" *big sappy tv grin*
Jhartha giggles at Walt's lame joke, and asks, "Can you tell us who was there Walter? I heard some very important people are in attendance!"
Walter pipes up over the noise in the background of glasses clinging together in a toast, and carefree people laughing it up, "Yes.. several executives from Drake-Zamphoon enterprises, the CEO of General Automobiles: Lindstraat Carluche, and his competitor: Franklin Smith Corley the III of Corley Motors are here.. as well as the popular philantropist Marayla DiMeglio. The son of Mr. Lens-Cavendish of New Lazlo's Pen and Parchment Inc. is here... and over a hundred others!"
Walter disappears again as the view switches back to the young Jhartha, "I hear the children were very thankful for everyone's attendance and their generosity as well!", she makes the statement sound like a question somehow.. it's strange...
Walter replies, while a video feed rolls, "Yes Jhartha, the orphans thanked everyone in attendance personally and had even prepared a musical number for the occasion!" You can almost feel the love oozing out of the television screen for the little tykes as they go around the large circle of those present--shaking each being's hands (or the closest equivalent). After a few handshakes, the feed switches to a sound-byte of the children singing the song, "We the children thank you.. from the bottom of our hearts".
Jhartha flashes a pretty television smile and says goodbye to Walter, "Thanks Walter! I wish I could have been there!" She looks relieved to be out from under his shadow, turning back to the camera she says, "In other news, the hunt is still on for the strange creatures sighted coming from a rift around the White Tower on Saturday...
Message: 20/11 Friday, June 25, 1999Bat-News Broadcast
Aired Samhain 23rd, 107PAAt the end of Tolkeen's favorite show, "I Love Reruns"--or more widely known as "Sally Jherfey Donnatello" the television screen goes blank. Although alarming to those who like to tan in front of the "Old Radiation Box", it's absolutely normal, as Tolkeen's number one news show is about to come on: "Channel One Action News"!
The announcer begins right after the usual dramatic music plays, "You're watching Channel One Action News, Tolkeen's number one news show!.. In Channel One, Studio One.. here is Jhartha Fjekkat reporting..."
Jhartha smiles and begins to speak, "The militia continues to warn the public of the growing danger to pedestrians on the city streets at night.. five attacks by the strange winged beasts reported to have entered Tolkeen through a rift over Freedom Plaza have been reported this week, along with over a dozen reported sightings.. Reporting from the scene of one such attack is Walter Riely, Walter?"
Walter appears, standing outside of the Java Factory. The two universities of Tolkeen can be seen in the distance, along with the beginnings of Tolkeen's "nether regions", the Western Sector. Walter begins speaking while a few bystanders gawk and wave to the camera, "The scene was a horrifying one here last night, as two of the strange winged beasts that escaped from the Freedom Plaza rift last Saturn Day attacked a local gym owner named Gareth Vaughan..." An image of the creatures appear on the screen, sketched in black and white pencil, the picture shows a rapidly descending creature sporting a wingspan of at least twelve feet, its trailing body bony and angular except for a smooth, blunt head resembling an albino watermelon, and seemingly bereft of eyes and ears, but making up for it with a gaping maw of saw-edged teeth. Included in the picture for scale reasons is an average person, cowering in fear as the beast is about to strike... "Displayed here, is an artists rendering of the beast, shown to scale against an average humanoid.."
Walter continues, as a few annoying bystanders creep behind Walter and wave into the camera, Walter gives no sign of noticing the distractions however. "Luckily, through the assistance of a Militia Dogboy, Alexi-7; Militia cadet T. Morrison, and an anonymous mage, the beasts were driven off before any serious harm could be done.."
Walter points to the south, and says, "One of the beasts, wounded after the failed attack crashed into the third floor of the low-cost housing known as Tenements. Militia officials comment that the beast was severely wounded, but continued to fight fiercely--injuring one Militia member while flapping the remains of it's wing in an attempt to right its self in the small room before being put down by a well placed shot to the head by another Militia member.."
The scene switches to one outside of one of the Tenement structures, where a pair of Militia vehicles, one an ambulance, the other a flatbed truck wait patiently. Coming out of the building is a wounded Militia member, holding his broken arm.. obviously painful, but not necessarily life-threatening. A jump in the feed then shows another pair of Militia members dragging the deathly white corpse of the beast, minus a bloody head and wing, onto the back end of the flat-bed.
Walter nears the end of his regular monologue, continuing to completely ignore the bystanders, "These terrifying beasts appear to feed on blood, draining approximately 4 pints of life-fluid from each of their victims, leaving them in serious medical condition. The Militia continues to warn the public to stay indoors during the night, and to avoid empty buildings and dark alleyways.."
Walter appears to be drawing to a close, "While no one knows where these beasts come from, or what they're here for, one thing is clear.. They are hunting the innocent people of Tolkeen, and they must be stopped...This is Walter Riely for Channel One News... Jhartha?"
Jhartha reappears inside the studio, and says to Walter's image, "Thank you, Walter." She turns to the fat man sitting next to her, D'hom McVale, and says seriously--considering the seriousness of the Walter's report before, "Those things scare me...I keep getting this feeling like some evil beings are looking down on us and laughing whenever I hear of another attack..." D'hom nods in agreement, until the camera zooms in tight to his upper body, whereupon he looks startled and asks, "So..you're probably wondering what's with the strange weather recently? Well, I'll have more for you after this commercial break.."
A quick commercial advertising 'SoyMush!', a bland breakfast cereal favored by health nuts, plays on screen in an attempt to boost horrible sales this quarter... After the commercial (Only one for once.. thank the gods..) D'hom McVale appears standing next to what appears to be an series of aircraft surveillance photographs, probably taken before the Coalition Occupation nearly two years ago. A faint blue line around his large frame and wild hair indicates that he's standing in front of a blue screen... even Channel One has to cut costs somewhere...
D'hom begins speaking, "Well..to tell you the truth, I can't tell /whats/ going on with the weather..For the past week, the temperatures have been spiking ever higher..." D'hom continues to make apologies for his lack of data, the normal weather patterns are completely disrupted...<<OOC NOTE:>>The average temperatures for this time of year is around 60 degrees Farenheit, 16 degrees Centigrade, if I converted right..:) They are currently above 70 degrees farenheit and rising steadily each day.
Message: 20/12 Sunday, June 27, 1999News Bulletin: Killer Bats
<<OOC>> Date: Sun Day Samhain 21st, 10:00 PMWalter Riely begins the Sun Day evening edition news report with this story, while his co-anchor Jhartha Fjekkat waits for her stories to come up. "A Tolkeen man was killed yesterday in another attack by the strange white bats that emerged from a rift, over a week ago."
The television screen shows a family photograph of Hata "Harry" Zimberuski, a rather generic looking humanoid, along with a human female, and what is apparently thier children. A picture in picture window appears, showing the approximate location of his death, on Tarn Avenue, east of Freedom avenue. Walter continues speaking, "Zimberuski was pronounced dead at the scene. A second man, who's name has not been released, is in serious condition after being drained of blood. He is currently under emergency care in the Tolkeen Medical Center. Our compassion goes out to both families..." The image disappears, replaced with the seal of Tolkeen and after a brief puase Walter goes on to the next story "Seven such attacks have occured since the beings arrived in Tolkeen. Police and Militia members continue to warn the public to remain indoors at night, avoiding abandoned buildings and dark alleyways."
The camera switches angles and Walter turns in his chair as he continues with the story, "Many rumors have surfaced regarding these blood-drinking beasts. Among these is the belief that these creatures are in some way causing a heat-wave throughout Tolkeen. Official sources have neither confirmed nor denied this theory, stating that several agencies are currently trying to determine the cause."
The camera catches both Walter and Jhartha in the same shot, while Jhartha continues with a transition between stories "...coming up on the Sun Day edition.. 'How shop-owners are benefiting from the bats..' and D'hom McVale has more.. (or less)" she mutters, "..on the weather!"
A commercial comes on, advertising a new combination under-arm deodorant with blood-sucking bat protection. "It's BYE-BYE-BATTIE! The only deodorant spray garanteed to keep /YOU/ from getting killed.. or your money back! Fend off those ugly white beasties! Impress the ladies!" A young man appears on screen saying, "Don't worry Julie.. I'm wearing BYE-BYE-BATTIE.. those albino vampire bats won't get /us/ tonight.." The girl responds, "And you smell like fresh roasted garlic! "Mmm... my favorite, I wanna..." The announcer comes back on, "So.. if you've been attacked by bats, you haven't been wearing BYE-BYE-BATTIE..now have you?" A couple of other commercials come on, but none so ridiculous as the first. Come on.. is some underarm spray going to keep the bats away? Although.. that guy looked pretty happy... maybe it would be good to invest in a bottle, just to be on the safe side.
When the Sun Day edition returns, D'hom Mcvale is standing in front of a computer graphic showing a panoramic view of Tolkeen, taken from on top of the city walls. The graphic is red, giving the illusion that it was taken in infrared.. wait a sec.. it /is/ taken in infrared! Maybe Channel One isn't so cheap after all.. continuous low lying clouds can be seen, glowing a ghostly red--the infrared light of the city being reflected back to the camera, several vehicles drive down the street, their passengers glowing as brightly as the engines. D'hom points to the low-lying clouds over Tolkeen and begins speaking, "It seems that a pocket of warm air has become trapped over Tolkeen, preventing the normal weather patterns for this time of year from forming. The strange part of it is, it only extends for a mile or two outside the city.
"I have to say," he continues, "In my years as a meteorologist I've never seen anything like this.. ever." As he speaks, the air near one of the buildings in the shot suddenly increases temperature, as evidenced by the increase in luminosity on the IR camera. Whether or not D'hom actually notices it can't be told, he's waving his hands somewhere in the location of the clouds, while saying "...is partly smog, one of the bad things an inversion layer cuases. Over the next few days we'll see the air quality index go down..." D'hom rambles, trying to fill in time normally taken up by simply stating the temperature and whether it's going to rain or not..
Jhartha takes over, and above her right shoulder an image of a cred-chip appears, "Local businesses are benefitting from the appearance of the bats." An unnamed shop-owner appears, holding up strings of garlic to the camera--probably offering to sell it to them for only a few hundred credits each...
Message: 20/13 Sunday, June 27, 1999Interview With Toki
Excerpt from Tolkeen Insider, which plays twice a week and re-runs in the morning:Jhartha Fjekkat greets the audience by looking into the camera and saying cheerily, "Hi there! Welcome to Tolkeen Insider, our guests tonight are Cadet Toki Morrison, Actress Freyla Borrsn'yyk, and Comedian Jose Quirridas!" She turns from the camera to Toki, as the camera zooms out to get both of them in the same shot. Jhartha says, "This is Toki Morrison, a cadet in the Tolkeen Militia. Now Toki, what happened Freya day night at the Java Factory?"
Toki turns to Jhartha, he has a serious look on his face, "On Freya Day night I was just sitting around at the Java Factory, talking to Delphina at the time." He hesitates for a split second to recollect, "And the air started to get warmer and a mist rose..."
Jhartha Fjekkat nods, then interjects during Toki's recollection, "Who's this Delphina you were with? A love interest?" She winks cheerily' at Toki.. Gods, that happy act of hers gets annoying after a while.
Toki smiles, "Well until then a stranger, she just sat down at my table and we had some casual conversation, I believe she said that she teaches at the academy of magic."
Jhartha Fjekkat ohs, and then nods, her well maintained coif bobbing up and down with her head. "So, what happened after the mist appeared?" she looks interested in Toki's story, but being a professional actor (she hosts a gossip show along with being co-anchor to Walter Riely), it's difficult to tell whether or not she is faking.
Toki relaxes a little a bit and goes on with his story, "Well I started to get worried. It's not everyday when a mist just suddenly appears out of nowhere, Delphina tried to reassure me that it was probably just an alchemist's experiment gone awry, but I was still on my gun," he looks into the camera briefly and goes on with his story, "Then a /huge/ man appears in the mist and he gets attacked by these huge winged creatures, the albino bats. When he creatures just suddenly appeared, a combat ready magician, and a mutant dog, along with myself burst out the door."
Jhartha Fjekkat asks, definitely interested.. well you're pretty sure she's definitely interested anyway, "So you possibly saved this man's life?" She turns to the camera and says, "WE may have a budding hero on our hands!" Her cheery smile and voice are all warm fuzziness to the young cadet.
Toki blushes a bit, "Heh heh, thats /we/, if it weren't for the other two, I probably woud've been dead meat." He smiles, you can tell Jhartha's bubbly attitude is starting to loosen him up some more, "After the brief battle, one of the creatures crashed into a tenement building, and another escaped, the militia got there and I hopped onto one of the militia vehicles to show them the best I could where I thought the monster had went. We finally got to it and destroyed it by either sheer luck or just plain old over-bearing."
Jhartha Fjekkat smiles again, doesn't her face /ever/ get tired? She seems like she's about to introduce another guest, and sure enough.. "Well, the Militia has always come through for Tolkeen. It was wonderful talking with you Toki, I'll sleep a little better tonight knowing that there's one less monster flying around in the dark." She shakes Toki's hand and then turns to the camera once more saying, "After this commercial break, we'll be talking with comedian Jose Quirridas.. stay tuned.."
The theme music plays once more and Jhartha gets up to see Toki off and thank him for coming down as the screen fades to black, returning to advertise "SoyMush" for the eightieth time today.. Oh No.. it's prime time.. twelve commercials play in a row before the show finally returns, minus one cadet.. Apparently his story wasn't as fascinating as Jhartha thought...Damn that Walter Riely for not telling her anything!...
Luckily, Jose' comes out to riotous applause.. probably canned, those cheap bastards.. A strange face starts his appearance off with a bang-eyes bugged out and lips folded back like an orangutan, why he's got Jhartha rolling in her seat!
Message: 20/14 Saturday, August 28, 1999Blizzard Watch in Effect
Aired early Jander, 108PADhom Mcvale, the Channel One Weatherbeing starts his segment of the morning news with, "Well, it's currently a sunny, 20 degrees outside this morning, but I don't think this fine weather is going to last much longer. It seems a front is starting to move in, and possibly bring on some blizzard conditions." He waves his arms in the general region of Tolkeen, while standing in front of a big blue-screened map of the area, a doppler radar view showing a wall of precipitation heading straight for Tolkeen. He continues, "Weather stations are currently reporting several inches of snow have fallen withen the last few hours, so we may see the storm hit sometime around the afternoon today, back to you Jhartha..."
Jhartha Fjekkat reappears, turning to face Walter, "So, Walter, what can we do to prepare for this coming storm?"
Walter turns to face the camera, and answers, "Well, Jhartha, it's always a good idea to have a few flashlights or other sources of light around the house. Another good thing to have around the house are extra blankets, in case the heat goes out." A text screen showing the contents of a blizzard emergency kit comes on, replacing Walter, listing common items found around the home that can help keep one alive in a blizzard, including blankets, candles, and extra food...
By some bizzare stroke of luck or demonic will, the next commercial that comes on is one for "Uncle Bennies Nutrient Pap". A little kid grins as his mother hands him a single serving tube before he heads outside to build a snow-effigy. The little kid twists off the cap, and sqeezes the tubes brown contents into him mouth. Vaguely resembling fecal matter, the squirting noises the tube makes don't seem to help with the appeal of the product. After sqeezing the whole thing into his mouth, the little child obviously struggles to swallow it, then says.. "Mmmm! Bannana Curry! My Favorite!". The kid gets replaced by the Uncle Bennies Logo, as well as the logo for Burn-Rite fuel Co.
Message: 20/15 Monday, September 6, 1999Public Interest Broadcast
Aired Mid-Jander, 108PA"This is Walter Riely, for Channel One Action News. This winter's blizzard has been hard for much of Tolkeen, overwhelming the city's staff of work-beings, doing everything possible to keep Tolkeen's streets clear, and the power on, in even the worst ice-storms. But the hardest hit by this winter are not the people inside the city, but those struggling to live outside, in the meanest of living conditions."
The view behind Walter shows a freeway grave-yard, littered with the hulks of vehicles long dead. Walter continues, "These unfortunates live in a universe of cold and damp, ice and snow. Never knowing what the next day may bring.. that they even exist at all is a surprise to many.."
The scene behind Walter is a dead one, only the flapping of half-rotten blankets in the breeze can be seen, as Walter pauses dramatically. A sudden gust of wind sends a cloud of snow blowing by the camera, obscuring Walter in a haze of crystalline beauty, tearing a few of the blankets from the tops of the vehicles, and making Walt's coat billow and flap like a flag. The noise of the wind fades suddenly, as it gets replaced by an interview with a Tolkeen citizen.
A shivering citizen speaks into a microphone shoved into his face, "I never knew that those people lived so close to the city.. I mean, I never noticed them before. Why are you asking, you want me to support some people I never even knew existed? I pay my taxes, I'm a law-abiding citizen buddy, but there ain't no law against not giving the homeless money. I got enough problems supporting my own children. Why, just last week my kids wanted to buy some clothes, and I couldn't afford them.."
A trio appears on TV--a middle aged man, escorted by two young ladies. One of the ladies responds, "Of course Tammy and I give to charity! We working girls know what it's like to freeze out tails off in the cold all night!" She gets interrupted by the middle aged man, who appears rather drunk, "Why's it my fault I don't give to cha-aaaa-rity? *Belch*"
The camera returns to Walter, as the wind causes a rotting blanket to blow across the ground behind him, finally getting caught on a piece of rusting metal. A d-bee child tentatively steps forward, to grab the fly-away blanket, before a human female of indeterminate age, rushes out to drag the young creature back to hide behind one of the rusting vehicles.
As the camera focuses its attention upon the woman and child, a commotion happens off camera. The view swings drunkenly to take in a group of three men approaching the camera. All three wield blunt instruments, suitable for bashing skulls, breaking bones, and crushing furry rodents. The leader, a burly unwashed man covered in greasy black hair steps confidently forward and pokes a dirty finger at Walter's chest, while the other two stand imposingly beside him.
"Listen you little news-f***, we're tired of your pity. No one ever lifts a finger to help us when we're in need, when our children are sick, when we freeze in our sleep, nobody!" The other two men nod in agreement, "We were kicked out of Tolkeen for what we've done 'r what we can't do, but our families don't deserve this. We look after our own, -little man-, we've never taken any charity, and we never will! Why? Because you don't even know we exist!" The leader concludes with a furious jab in Walter's ribs, pushing the reporter back a bit.
The three turn around and head back for the cars, stopping in their tracks when Walter asks loudly, "Why are you here?" The leader points to the camera and responds, "Because" he pauses thoughtfully, "Because we are _animals_."
The trio walk back to their cars, and nothing but the sound of the wind and the hungry cry of an infant is heard. The camera pans back to Riely, "For Channel One News, I'm Walter Riely."
Message: 20/16 Friday, September 24, 1999End of Blizzard Broadcast
Aired in mid-Faundus, 108PAYellow flashing lights illuminate Walter's face as he stands just outside the city gates, behind him sits the great hulk of a cargo-hauler, the vehicle's driver and escorts waiting patiently for clearance from the guards a the city-gate. A cheer erupts from the truck crew as the guards finally allow entrance to the city. After a month of stalled shipments and missing parts, the first cargo-hauler has finally returned to Tolkeen.
Walter runs up to the cabin of the cargo-hauler, holding up his microphone to the driver side window. "What's it like to be back inside Tolkeen?" he asks enthusiastically. The driver leans out and shouts, "It's great! I'm gonna get me some... Oh wait... I can't say that on television, now can I? My wife wouldn't approve.. Uh, I'm gonna take my wife out to see a movie?"
The escorts cheer as the cargo-hauler finally pulls away, headed for Tolkeen's industrial centers. Walter turns back to the camera once more, "After over a month of stalled industry, workers without jobs, and machines without parts, Tolkeen has finally slipped out of the noose of the 'Blizzard of '08'. As I speak, citizens are digging out of the snow and returning to their normal lives. We'll go back to the studio where D'hom Mcvale has more on the weather.
D'hom appears on the screen, a Tolkeen area map on the blue-screen behind him, showing a Doppler radar view. D'hom waves his hand over the area of Tolkeen city-proper, and says, "We'll as you can see, it's going to be partly cloudy, but just gorgeous outside. Now, lets go to the five-day forecast."
The view behind D'hom changes to an pretty snowscape on Freedom and Lazlo. Deep drifts cover the road, and a group of adults are having a snowball fight. Wait a sec, that's Rooke Del Reyhart on the screen! Rooke twists at the mid-section, winding up, and whips the ball at an armored-man's back, side-throw style. A blue-armored, black man is hit in the back, but runs off and hides behind a building... wimp.
A be-mittened, redheaded man in bright winterwear compresses a smaller handful of snow together and leans back on his heels. Lake's (for it was he) apparent departure from the frolicking gives him only one more obvious target at the moment. Confident that this little beauty is aerodynamically sound he takes better aim and flings it at Rooke's torso. His concentration is evident by the fact that his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth and the semi-crazed look in his eyes. *piff*
D'hom starts up again, as the 5-day forecast overlays the snow-ball fight, "Well, for tomorrow, we're going to continue seeing partly cloudy weather, clearing up to mostly sunny in the late afternoon."
Another armored man trailing a wolf-skin cape, calmly walks past the little scene, probably providing some nice footage for the camera which most people will see and go, 'Hey, he didn't wave at the camera! He was a plant! A plant, I tell you!'. He gets to the Succubus door and turns, demonstrating his usual lack of consistency, and sets his pack down, leaning it up against the wall. Quietly, he bends down and scoops up a bunch of snow in his armored gauntlets, and starts packing it together.<continued in next post>
Message: 20/17 Friday, September 24, 1999"By Thor's Day, however, we're going to start to see some more clouds again, but they shouldn't be bringing any precipitation."
The wolf-skin-caped man (whom some would recognize as the outdoorsman, Jynn) hefts his mighty sphere of icy cold death and jaunts back down the sidewalk, drawing a steely eyed bead on the back of the colorfully be-mittened man's head. Licking his lips, drawing some kind of uncharacteristic, sadistic pleasure in the act, he winds his arm back and lets the projectile fly, the thing flaking off little clumps as it arcs high into the air and slams into mitten-boy's neck, sliding down under his collar in a sticky mess. See, scouts have training throwing sh*t around.
Mitten-boy winces as his shot misses the mark completely again. Turning about, he scurries away practically on all fours to put some distance between him and Rooke. Recalling something about moving targets from old training, he tries to make his scampering erratic. Unfortunately for him, some devious soul has decided to peg him with a very well-aimed shot. The shock of impact makes him jerk and pivot onto the snowy ground. "Auuugh!" is followed close by an "Ooop!" as he falls.
Rooke shifts backwards in her crouch, scope widening to take in the new threat near The Succubus. "....oh.. that's how it is, huh... a bit of sniper fire there, is it, Slaine..?" she mutters darkly, once again finding an excuse not to aim for mitten-boy, of whom some viewers may wonder hesitantly, 'that total loon can't be Tandem..'. She takes a few strategic steps backwards, braces her legs in the deep snow, and lobs a compacted snowball at Jynn's upper chest area, arc long and straight-ish.
"And finally, by Freya Day, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high in the 30's. We'll be back after this commercial."
Jynn unleashes a startled "Brrawwww!" as the snowball slams harmlessly against his armored chest. Et tu, Rook-e? A cloud of snow puffs up, coating his air filter and glittering in his eyes, the million tiny suns blinding him for the moment. He staggers around, swatting at the motes, and walks smack into the wall of the infamous tavern.
The snowball fight ends with a commercial for Burn-rite fuel. An idyllic family scene inside a warm home, cut to a man snow-blowing his driveway, a snow-plow clearing the transportation arteries of Tolkeen, a snow-covered view of a Burn-rite fuel depot, the sign and logo becoming animated and finally morphing to fill the center of the screen.
Message: 20/18 Tuesday, November 16, 1999Convoy Re-Broadcast
Aired Mid-Spring, 108PARepeat live footage from a week ago is included with the occasional news program that analyzes Militia or government procedure, as well as on a new Channel One special entitled: 'When Accidents Waiting To Happen... Happen'. As the scene from the camera unfolds, it quickly becomes apparent that everything is in chaos. A string of eighteen-wheeled cargo haulers look as if they were part of a conga-line gone amuck. Several of the cage-topped cargo haulers lay toppled on their sides, others nearly jackknifed in an attempt to avoid collision. Militia members struggle to keep the large number of civilians gathered on the street from milling closer to the accident...
The much-lauded permacrete under the convoy seems to be truly suffering under the weight strain of the convoy, in particular the third one down, where the massive cage is shaking with the fury of whatever creature is inside. Suddenly, on the right side of it, a dirty, scaled horn breaks through a small breach in the grid-pattern of the cage; it widens with a shriek of grating metal as the horn rams through to its base, a full two feet in length.
An uneven pounding shakes the street under the feet of those remaining despite the ominous sounds of chaos coming from the convoy. Streamlets of smoke and dust seem to cling to the tusks of the monster that hurtles out of the roiling dark clouds and down Freedom towards the other area of disaster. Long grayish-black fur flying, it lumbers on huge three-toed hooves and is covered with a seemingly random series of horns over its body. A number of hard armored plates run up from a disgusting warthog-ish visage to a comical bald spot on its humped back. Easy 15 feet tall and 18 feet long, it bells out its challenging howl again and makes straight for the convoy.
An elderly lady points wildly at the rampaging creature from her balcony on the third floor of a shop north of the convoy. Her half-crazed shriek of surprise splits the already tumultuous air. "Oh my heavenly stars! It's Fablio!"
As the crowd surges to escape the rampaging creatures, Walter begins to speak into the camera, "I'm here south of the intersection of Freedom and Lazlo as..." Before Walter can finish can his sentence the camera whips in the direction of a rampaging warthog thing charging down the street. Walter opens his mouth to object to George, but turns his head in time to see the rampaging beast just yards away. In an act of heroism, or rather cleverly masked cowardice, Walter grabs his cameraman, who stupidly stands filming the confusion, and rushes for the nearest shelter... which happens to be one of the numerous alleyways along Freedom Way. As the two men secure their new position, Walter reaches into his coat to grab the only phallic symbol not currently turning turtle on him.. his .45...
The massive construct that spans over two of Freedom Way's six lanes, continues to rock from side to side, frantic grunting issuing from the inside. Puffs of steamy, rotten air cascade out to both sides of the street from the holes of the cage's grid pattern. It seems to create an effect that the Militia could not force on the fleeing pedestrians; as a wave they move back, squeezing up onto the sidewalk again to avoid the fetid air.
The cage of gridlocked strips of thick metal, mounted third in the convoy line, begins to shake from side to side, rusty screaming metal sounds issuing as the structure seems to distort slightly each time. A roar similar to the one heard from (possibly) up the avenue fills the air in the immediate area, the incomprehensible sound expanding like an explosion. It rises in pitch and echoes away.<continued in next post>
Message: 20/19 Tuesday, November 16, 1999Walt regains sense enough to narrate as the filming continues, "The scene here is chaotic to say the least. I don't have much information to go on at this time, but apparently the Tolkeen Militia was escorting a shipment of wild creatures to the Tolkeen Zoo when an accident occurred. Several of the creatures must have escaped to cause such pandemonium.."
A horror-stricken woman (looks like Rayne) amongst the crowd falls apart at the seams, unable to do much of anything productive. She starts to laugh insanely as over and over she shouts, "The Beast! I TOLD you ALL! The BEAST! THE BEAST WILL KILL US ALL!!"
The thing inside the rapidly disintegrating cage echoes Fablio's howl and gives one mighty push. Its huge, slobbering, rhinoceros-warthog head bursts clean through the side of the cage, which goes a long way to opening up a viable exit for it, from its prison. It trumpets again, right at a nearby albino man with silver hair (that guy is vaguely familiar, too.. Blurp So-n-So..), the sound waves almost visible as the hot stink of it courses over him. Then, the whole, wide, right panel of the cage breaks away and like a really tacky metal necklace around the creature's thick neck.
The one-monster stampede coming down the avenue takes a moment to kick at a lamppost that really offends it for some reason, sending it tearing right off its base and hurtling into the side of a building, nearly decapitating the poor citizens cowering there. It is now a bit over thirty feet away, stamping and pawing the ground in a frenzy of rage, trails of smoke still running up from its wounds.
As light rubble rains down upon Walter and the camera's position, a voice corrects the news-man, "Uh.. actually boss, the first one's named Fablio... he must've escaped from the zoo or something. The kids love'm to death, you should see them cheer at feeding time..." Walter interrupts the man speaking, apparently his cameraman, "Alright George, I should be the one talking.. not you.." he pauses for a breath, "Militia members are currently trying to subdue the beasts, before more damage is caused."
Swearing, a militiaman (some would recognize him as William) slings his rifle quickly. Popping open a pouch on his LBV, he takes out a grenade. Pulling the pin, he tosses it at the oncoming Beast. Not waiting to see what happens, the militiaman reaches down, hauling a wounded superior onto his shoulder and turning to run for safety. The militiaman's grenade arcs towards the oncoming monstrosity, detonating in a huge cloud of shrapnel and smoke. Shards of fragmenting metal blossom in all directions and stitch themselves into Fablio's bulk. One of his large horns is gouged out and clunks to the permacrete followed by a trail of bloody fluids.
From her balcony, the elderly woman gasps and throws herself down on her knees as the building shakes. She clings to the railing and shrieks, "Don't do this, Fablio! Fablio, go back home!" To the Militia soldiers below she pleads, "Have mercy!" She's got one of those kindly grandmother give-you-a-cookie faces, except now it's distorted in true concern for this Fablio she keeps screaming about.
Other soldiers in the area continue to pepper the beast with further shots from their weapons. A little over-anxious, one overzealous private depresses the trigger of his weapon and empties his clip. The force of the recoil sends him onto his back and sends an wide arc of weapon's fire into the sky above.
The thing in the cage, after shaking off its twisted metal necklace, bears striking resemblance to Fablio, except with less gaping bloody holes in its side. It swings its head around to fix Fablio with its single-minded focus. In a flash, NotFablio leaping alongside the convoy to engage Fablio.
Walter shouts over the din of the battle, "The two beasts seem to be fighting each other..." Well, of course they're fighting each other you idiot reporter! "...As the Militia brings all available force against the creature, citizens are pleading to have the animal spared...."<continued in next post>
Message: 20/20 Tuesday, November 16, 1999Fablio rears, and spectators can see that he actually has three pairs of three-toed feet, the middle set flailing out from under shaggy locks of dark fur. Flecks of blood and chunks of hide rain down as it twists to the side and attempts to go around the head of the convoy, also intent on meeting head-on with NotFablio. Above him, that same old woman waves her arms and hollers, "Get that imposter out of here! Poor Fablio! What are you monsters trying to do??" It's a good guess that her 'monster' remarks are directed at the Militia and the Convoy personnel.
The two mammoth beasts collide head on, producing a deafening bone-crunching crack. The intense force of the meeting sends a shockwave through the immediate area. The horns of Fablio rake across the militiaman and his wounded superior and send them flying cartwheel-style.
Walter simply stands in awe of the fighting beasts, any chance at sounding intelligent went out the window a while ago.
From overhead, a number of TW craft and magically empowered PAD operatives appears. A hail of tranquilizer darts rain down upon the two beasts...and bounce harmlessly off. Luckily, overkill is the name of the game and it is not long afterwards that the spells are flung gratuitously onto Fablio and NotFablio. The street ripples with a magic that transforms it into something like contact cement, and glimmering webs coat the two still viciously quarrelling beasts like glazed donuts.
The two Teepowka become immobilized but still make threatening gestures with their gaping maws at one another. Blood flows freely from both, Fablio seeming to be in much more dire straits however. More Militia personnel and Medical units arrive soon afterwards. Most take a few moments to gape before managing to snap out of it and attend to those present.
Walter gapes as the two powerful monsters are brought down quickly. Without a word, the live footage cuts out with after it's clear the newsman has forgotten he's supposed to be reporting... Jhartha Fjekkat reappears, staring at the monitor placed off screen. She regains her composure and utters, "...we'll keep track of that story and keep our viewers informed as more information becomes available..."
Message: 20/21 Saturday, December 11, 1999Psychic Reading Informercial
A fifteen minute infomercial broadcasted during late night or early mornings in early Marron, 108PA"Well, we're back, and our special guest tonight is Madame Rayne Lazarus, famed psychic and astrologer to the stars...no pun intended! So, Mme. Rayne, I'm so delighted you could make it tonight!" exclaims Jhartha as "Tolkeen Insider" returns from comercial. It's a strange day indeed, first the show's re-runs get moved to a new time, and now the guest is sitting behind the hostess' desk! Still, Ms. Fjekkat isn't without her feminine charms tonight--she isn't against showing a little leg if it will increase ratings. Those poor boys going through puberty must be receiving sterilizing doses of radiation considering how close they must be sitting to the television... now that two beautiful women are sharing the spotlight...
After the brief applause and introduction, Rayne smiles and extends a delicate hand to Jartha, mildly responding to the introduction, "Thanks so much for having me here, Jartha. It's a real pleasure to be on your show."
Jhartha gets the show rolling after a quick glance off camera, by stating: "Mme. Rayne, you're on tonight as our special guest, and you say that you will be giving fortunes to the audience tonight. Anyone brave enough to volunteer?" She rises from her seat to point to a hesitant looking young man in his late teens, "Why not you sir?" The young man quickly stands up and strolls down to the hostess and her guest. Jhartha continues, "So, without any further ado, I'll turn the show over to you." Her chafing smile fades at those words, Gods how she hates being out of the spotlight! From the way she acts you'd think all her fans would forget her if she weren't on the television for any longer than 15 minutes..
The young man plops down in the chair next to the desk as Jhartha moves over to allow the volunteer to see whatever Mme. Rayne is doing. Rayne asks, "Ok... I need your name, and age, and your question of course."
"Greg," says... well... Greg. "I'm 18. I... I was wondering if I'd ever find true love?" The young man sits on the edge of his seat, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants.
Rayne shuffles the cards a few times and hands them to Greg to cut. Greg cuts the deck with a nervous, shaky hand and slides the cards back to Rayne.
Rayne quickly flips over three cards, one at a time in a row. The camera zooms in from above her left shoulder, and the audience can see that the cards are SEVEN OF SWORDS, SEVEN OF RODS (reversed), and THE LOVERS (reversed). Shaking her head sadly, Rayne announces, "Chances are, no. I'm afraid you won't find true love. Looks to me that right now you're full of wishes. You're confident and dreamy. Maybe a little... naive, in the ways of love. Unfortunately, insecurity will lead you to miss out on chances of love." She continues the reading by explaining, "You're bound to end up in relationships that are bad for you. Early marriage, even, to the wrong person."
With a sad shrug, Greg hmms, "I kinda expected that actually..."
Rayne frowns and shrugs, "Sometimes it's not always what you want to read into them." She pauses and twists a curl around her finger thoughtfully as she studies the cards. "However, I suspect if you can keep the confidence you have in your youth as you get older, and avoid foolish and rash decisions, you can turn your future around."
With a shake of his head, Greg returns to his seat, but not before muttering: "Right about bad relationships... Dead on actually." People in the audience are eagerly raising their hands trying to get Rayne's attention.
Rayne quickly scans the audience and ends up picking another young man as the show goes to a commercial.<Continued in next post>
Message: 20/22 Saturday, December 11, 1999The commercial starts with a bang, or more accurately, some nifty effects with a black light, some suspended crystals, smoke machine, and a low powered laser. Rayne sits behind a table dealing out tarot cards that glow spookily in the illumination of the black light. Her hands and face glow an eerie blue, the rest of her body can barely be seen as she is wearing a black cloak. As she deals the tarot cards the baritone voice of a narrator says, "Mysteries of science and nature, thought, and the supernatural, the secrets of the Universe can be known. Madame Rayne has the answers." Light patterns of the Zodiac play across Madame Rayne's face as the Camera focuses dramatically on the fortuneteller as she places the last card before her. The woman makes a popping noise with her mouth before saying, "I foresee great troubles to those who do not know their way in life." The image is replaced by the words, "Madame Rayne: Astrologer and Fortuneteller. Affordable rates. Call 555-STAR (7827)!"
Oh great, now it's painfully clear that this is an infomercial. Jhartha loses some coolness points by stooping to a cameo appearance in one of these prolific little ads. The text remains on the screen for about thirty seconds, for all those people who forgot to watch late night programming without a pen and notepad in hand. Then it dissolves back to the main action.
The man Rayne was interviewing before the commercial stands up and steps down from the stage. Rayne scans the audience looking for another willing participant. Seems everyone in the audience is eager to have their fortune told, but Rayne calls on an elderly woman. Jartha stands up from her seat on stage and goes to help the lady up the steps and into the seat across from Rayne.
"Well, hello there. I just need your name and age, Ma'am." Rayne smiles sweetly, her pretty features becoming even more attractive.
The older woman scowls, "Ain't right askin' a lady her name."
This doesn't deter Rayne, she simple holds her television smile in place and says, "Yes, well, it's simply so I can tell your fortune more accurately." Madame Rayne must have learned that television smile from Jhartha, or maybe there's some sort of school those actors go to, to learn how to smile like that. It's so unnerving to see that kind of sycophantic smile on the faces of two beautiful women such as Jhartha and Madame Rayne...
The grumpy woman finally divulges, "My name is Talula. I'm 68 years old. I want to know if I'll ever find my dead husband's will." She glares at Rayne defiantly, daring her to be wrong on this one.
Rayne clears her throat and nods, all business. She shuffles the cards and pushes them toward Talula, "Would you please cut the cards, Talula?" The woman indeed does, taking her sweet time to do so. Rayne places the cards down in a neat row and studies them for a few moments.<Continued in the next post>
Message: 20/23 Saturday, December 11, 1999Rayne furrows her brows and twists a strand of hair around her finger, tugging fiercely on it in concentration. Eventually, she speaks her tone of voice very serious and full of awe, "Your husband was a man of great status in this community. He was a rock, a pillar, some sort of authority figure in his lifetime."
Rayne watches the old woman's reactions carefully. The woman seems to soften somehow as she listens, but says nothing. Continuing, Rayne says, "He was very wise and his prudence provided well for you in his life. You're unnerved because you can't imagine him leaving you to struggle so in his death. You're right, he didn't do this, there was foul play involved."
With this, the old woman nods aggressively, mumbling, "I knew it, I just KNEW it."
Rayne reaches out and pats the woman's hand sympathetically. "Never you worry, you will prevail. There is some sort of craftsman, a skilled laborer who your husband trusted greatly. He left another copy of his will with this man."
The old woman rubs her forehead, obviously jogging her memory trying to think of who that could be.
Rayne desperately tries to think of more details, tugging even more roughly on her curl as she thinks, "Oh, yes, yes this man you know him, not well, but you have talked with him. He is young and has short brown hair. He's often seen wearing a blue apron, I think.."
Talula abruptly cuts Rayne off, "His newphew! Well, of course. He's been gone these past six months on some wild journey, but that makes perfect sense. Oh, thank you, thank you my dear!" Tears well up in the old woman's eyes and she reaches out to squeeze Rayne's hand.
Rayne smiles and nods, "You'll prevail in this, I just know it. Those who have hid your husband's will, they'll pay for their crime."
The old woman gets helped down to her seat by one of the support crew this time, an smile on her lips with the knowledge that her husband is exculpate in wishing her harm. Before Rayne can pick another volunteer, Jhartha gets the signal from the producers, and suddenly interrupts: "I'm sorry to say, Madame Rayne, but it looks like we're out time for tonight!"
Rayne accedes with a brief nod, and smiling wildly, the two shake hands with each other the credits roll. Well, lookit' that, Ole' Jimmy Flanaghert is the Junior Grip 3rd class!
Message: 20/24 Tuesday, February 1, 2000Militia Capture Footage
Aired mid-Summer, 108PAHeading the evening news lineup recently, this on-the-site piece was introduced by Jhartha before the screen cut to the action, the City Gates from an angle along Freedom Way:
A man with a cybernetic left eye in partial Bushman armour, with a Camerapod upon his shoulder appears on-screen. "This is J.J. Carmicheal reporting from Southgate on one of the current sources of concern over the recent rise in gangland tension."
The camera viewpoint pans out and around, showing the gate with its usual staff of Militia guards and the steady flow of traffic. When the angle coincides with the actual position of the camerapod upon J.J.C.'s shoulder, his voice begins again, just as a large haulage truck is pulled over, its identifying marks digitally erased.
"As you can see, despite the heavy use that Southgate receives, the militia still perform spot checks on most of the traffic, as well as more thorough searches on a random basis."
The driver, his face masked by a digital blur steps out of the truck, while a trio of Militiamen walk around the weigh-station to look at the back. The driver appears to balk somewhat at their movement, and the guards form something of a cordon at the rear, while their colleague watches the driver.
"The illegal weapons question, as you know is a major concern in the city at the current time. A number of gangs and organisations have levels of firepower rivalling that of the Militia and considerably overmatching anything that our beleaguered police force could field against them."
The rear door is opened, and the viewpoint zooms briefly, to provide a detail of spillage as garishly labelled vid-chips scatter over the tarmac. One guard leaps inside, as the driver is ushered down to join the trio.
"Finding a way to cut off the ongoing flow of these weapons into the city has been a matter of no small concern for our cities law enforcement community."
Suddenly, the viewpoint sharply drawn to him, the driver slaps a control on the side of the truck, sealing one of the Militiamen into the vehicle, then breaks around the cover of his cargo and ducks into the flow of traffic, running for all he's worth. The other Militiamen pursue, leaving one of their men stuck in the back of the impounded vehicle. Oddly, the camera leaves the chase scene for a few moments, to draw attention to the bored, resigned expressions of disinterest on other drivers' faces.
"As you can see, public disinterest in enforcement of the law is reaching somewhat epidemic proportions in some places. While vigilante groups like 'The Watchmen' allegedly operate in attempts to improve public safety, for the most part there is little concern over the ongoing breakdown of order."
The chase continues up and around the main ranks of traffic, while people move aside from the ruckus. The driver trips, stumbles and picks himself up once more, but the brief error is more than enough for the Militiamen to decrease his lead.
"It is perhaps most indicative of that condition that throughout the entire incident you see here, only one civilian other than myself paid more than cursory attention, and that a non-citizen genetically modified animal."
A feline-looking figure in a flowing outfit (Tenrai) steps between the cameraman and the oncoming figure. The angle shifts slightly, to get a view of the Militiamen producing sidearms behind him. The camera zooms in further to reveal that, of the three guards, two have unlimbered heavy ion pistols, the third a matt ceramic laser sidearm of some sort.
"Here we see another difficulty in the ongoing fight against crime in the city. Should these officers go armed with weapons unable to harm personal combat armour they would be ineffective, yet here they are unable to fire, even should they get a clean shot, without endangering dozens of unarmoured civilians on the street."
"MILITIA! PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND GET ON THE GROUND! NOW!" - The cry goes out loud and clear over a cut-scene jumping a few seconds back to the original viewpoint. The gennie pauses, raising her hands slowly while the driver, desperate but trapped, follows suit. A quick frisk for weapons of the driver and two of the Militiamen lower their sidearms, to cuff him. The mutant animal is allowed to leave after someone whose badge reads 'Gate Officer Rohannon' takes her name and details.
"And there we have it ladies and gentlemen, another day in the lives of our city Militia. The cargo turned out to be an illegal three-crate consignment of personal energy weapons being shipped into the city to supply the thriving black market in such items. While this one shipment has been stopped, who can say how many others slip through the net each hour, stockpiled towards the day when the rising tensions in our cities criminal element turns the streets into a bloodbath. This is J.J. Carmicheal, South Gate."Jhartha reappears as the screen cuts back to the newsroom, and after she explains that this Carmicheal is Channel One's newest field reporter, and makes a few weightless comments about the dire issue he presented, the show breaks for commercial.
Message: 20/25 Sunday, May 28, 2000Caldwell Speaks
Aired early Spring, 109PA
This broadcast is aired on every newsbreak between scheduled programs, to catch as many folks as possible. Jhartha Fjekkat introduces a filmed recording of the General, an dignified-looking middle-aged man with concern edged into his stern features. His eyes are brown and he doesn't seem to blink very often. His hair is a salt and pepper grey with pure white streaks of hair at his temples. He is currently outfitted in a very clean set of formal Military dress attire. A thin display of medals hang near his rank. In the background, the Militia Infirmary stands grey and solemn, the light and shadow setting his figure against it starkly. He speaks, his expression changing very little in the duration, and his voice heavy but measured:"Loyal citizens. There have been many disturbing rumors floating about both in the civilian body and our military ranks regarding the unfortunate cancellation of my promotion ceremony. I can assure you, that my subsequent hurried promotion was a necessity. Approximately two hours before I was to be publically promoted to General of Tolkeen's forces, Sergeant Ursela Ciavonli arrived at the eastern gates, dehydrated, battered by the elements and in a state of delirium.
"What many of you may or may not know by now is that Sergeant Ciavonli was part of the escort that left with General Wilkgar those many months ago. It was with great urgency that she was taken to the Militia infirmary to be treated. The Sergeant was in skilled medical hands within minutes of her arrival, but it seems that whatever willpower she spent in trying to reach us, left her when she succeeded in reaching our great city.
"I rushed to the medical facility swiftly in the hopes of gaining a clue to what information she could tell us about General Wilkgar and his party, ready in full capacity to act on the slightest amount of information she could give. What I and my staff were privy to was barely understandable and dire in tone. Unfortunately, our inpromptu debriefing was cut much too short and may have tapped the very last of her strength. The sergeant slipped into a coma not long after she tried to communicate whatever urgent message she had for us. Not wanting to risk the young woman's life, the medical team in charge of her treatment forbid risky measures to reawaken her. I have reluctantly agreed to take the safer route and await her eventual recovery from such a critical state.
"This is the reason why the official promotion was performed with great haste. The prospect of learning information about what happened to General Wilkgar demanded a leader of Tolkeen's forces in full capacity. One free to take immediate and decisive measures during a critical moment such as this.
"It was with great apprehension that I ordered the cancellation of the televised promotion in lieu of a much more spartan one. But I feel that for Tolkeen's greater good, swift action was the necessity rather than a grand display. I can promise to all of the citizens of Tolkeen, that something will be done to make up for the lack of a publicized promotion. But as of this moment, and mostly due in part to the limited information in our possession, long range reconnaisance patrols are being created and aggressive pushes through and beyond our borders will be initiated imminently. All of this is being undertaken to successfully uncover more clues to as what happened to General Wilkgar and determine whomever or whatever is responsible.
"I pray the brave young woman in critical condition recovers soon and our probes into the outlying territories are successful in discovering more. I ask of you all...your very best in the days ahead."The recording ends, and Jhartha reappears to quickly introduce the next segment, a rebroadcast of that day in the Plaza as reaction swept though the city over the cancellation of the live event.
<continued in next post>
Message: 20/26 Sunday, May 28, 2000The news studio is once again replaced by a scene in the Plaza sometime in the late afternoon. Walter, who commented on the live event from the studios at the time, continues from mid-sentence in a voice overlap as the story unfolds:
"...no substantiations to the false information being spread about General Wilkgar's return. To recap, we've just received notification from the militia press correspondent's office: Colonel Caldwell's promotional ceremony has been closed to the public and media for an unspecified reason. Rumors are spreading like wildfire through the city, among the most common is the return of General Wilkgar, although the militia and City council are flatly denying any such tales.
"At the scene of a growing confrontation over these rumors, in Freedom Plaza, is Channel One's own, Sydo Zandstra. Sydo is speaking to us live through the Channel One Action News video feed. Are you there, Sydo?" An image of a clean cut young man sporting a neatly parted hairdo that appears to be covered in something like clear shellac, gets frozen in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Walter seems to be yelling; perhaps he's forgotten about the wonders that modern technology can do with voice transfers. Never mind him, his parents just yelled really loud when they wanted to make a long distance call... "Are you there, Sydo? What's happening down there?"
The video feed shows what is apparently Sydo's arm holding the microphone, but the camera must be located on his shoulder through this whole mess. Several hundred feet off, near the wall of the rock labyrinth, the shot wavers on a thick ring of people surrounding a group of D-Bees, one of them a tall Wolfen. The Wolfen can be seen bullying a Militia cadet rather violently while the mob gathers more tightly around. One notable being on the fringe of the excited ring, the elf Tathrenil some would recognize, appears to be working against the tide of opinion, attempting to cajole the Wolfen into releasing the cadet.
Sydo answers Walter's query, "Yes, I'm here Walter. The scene here in the Plaza is at the verge of violence. A group of disgruntled beings have confronted at least one Militia member regarding rumors of General Wilkgar and the promotion of Colonel Caldwell..."
Walter's voice responds, "What's going on at the moment, Sydo? Has the Militia moved in to disperse the crowd?"
Sydo waits while the camera catches the figure of Rooke Del Reyhart shouting from within the milling circle, "Let's get -ahold- of ourselves, Citizens! What is this, a lynch mob?! Get the hell back!" For good measure, she adds, "You're stepping on my -damned- foot!!" Oh, this is just gold. Pure video gold. Ex-Councilwoman Del Reyhart throwing herself into the fray in a desperate attempt to placate the seething crowd. The Channel One producers just can't resist a shot like this; the camera jiggles as Sydo trucks in and catches her as she rises into the air like some sort of messiah figure. Over a majority of the crowd's head she urges, "C'mon, we're all acting like mindless cattle! The Coalition would laugh their -asses- off to see us like this! Dignity! Calm!" Oh wait, she is a messiah figure... that would explain the floating and the urge-for-calming and everything.
Several individuals in the masses near Rooke seem to recognize her stern voice or perhaps her face, but is most likely a mesh of the two. Sydo announces, "It seems the former Councilwoman has taken it upon herself to protect the poor Militia cadet being accosted by the Wolfen and its partners."
Her sudden introduction above the throng causes some to move away a tad, though there isn't much room to bustle about. While there is still dark rumblings and unfriendly noises coming from the grand mob of people inside the Plaza, those nearest Rooke seeming to be elbowing their neighbors for space and quiet.
Walter's voice asks, "Now, Sydo, are you hearing anything from where you are about the current situation with the Militia? I understand the Police are out in force?" Suddenly a burst of commotion from the center of the group attracts the camera's attention from a quick pan of the scene. It zips back in a dizzying blur, while Sydo manages to keep track of the question, "Yes Walter, the Tolkeen Police Force is taking an active role in controlling the crowd from the northern end of the Plaza it seems, although their numbers here are far too few to safely influence everyone here."
The camera focuses and zeroes in on a lone man, familiar to some as William of the Militia (casually dressed), who rushes forward to snatch the young cadet away from the Wolfen and drags him away from the grassy knoll. He appears to sock the young cadet in the gut while manhandling him through the angry crowd.
"...Oh Gods, it's suddenly taken a turn for the worse! It seems a member of the crowd has taken it upon himself to attack the cadet!" Sydo reports excitedly. The camera feed flickers for a bit as some stray static distorts the signal, some crackly reverberations that sound like someone talking over the signal. Walter's querying yammers overlap the static until the feed cuts entirely.The angle cuts back to real-time Jhartha Fjekkat in the Channel One studio, as she continues describing the scene where the camera left off, reporting that several moments later Councilbeing Fenris Te'akane came on the scene to urge the crowds to wait for the Militia's explanation. The gathering was dispersed peacefully afterwards with the help of the Police. The unfortunate cadet was treated for minor cuts, bruises, and shock, in the Druid's Grove, but was otherwise unharmed. Jhartha adds that official photos of the closed ceremony have been made available in the day's Town Crier, before turning to the other news of the hour.
Message: 20/27 Tuesday, May 30, 2000Militia Liaison Announced
This broadcast blankets the media over a 72 hour period. Though a more detailed analysis of the broadcast is given during the news and in the newspaper, the broadcast itself is shown between popular shows twice a day, morning and evening.Jhartha Fjekkat introduces a taped announcement sent via courier by Militia HQ. On the screen is a young human in his 20s standing against a backdrop of Freedom Square seen below through a window. His head is shaved clean and two obvious tattoos decorate his face. An inverted blue '8' is tattooed on his forehead, a black dagger tattooed through his right eye, its hilt resting on his temple. Unlike Caldwell in his full military dress, Christopher is encased in a suit of old-style Militia body armor the draconic crest of the city embossed on his chest plate. He folds his arms behind his back, smiles at the camera with a nod and begins to speak:
"Gentlebeings of Tolkeen, good day. My name is Christopher Allen and I've come to address you as a fellow citizen and as a member of the Tolkeen Militia. I feel I must apologize for the impersonal nature of this announcement. To be honest," he says, sitting on the ledge of the window "I was hoping for an open forum in the square itself," he says, gesturing with his hand to the window. "However, because of recent events, I did not have the time to plan such an event. I hope you will forgive me for addressing you directly without a chance to respond and pray that you will listen to my words and take them to heart.
"You might remember me as a loyal citizen serving the Militia in the Paranatural Assets Division before the war. Some of you may recall my face when I took charge of the Militia after the war. Others may have seen me in passing on the street and some of you may not know me from Adam, so to speak. It is my sincere hope that you will get to know me better as time moves forward." He pauses a moment and takes a sip from a glass of water sitting on the ledge beside him. He smiles and apologizes before continuing.
"I have recently been appointed to act as a bridge between the Militia and the citizens of Tolkeen. Acting in this capacity, I will be the one bringing you official reports from the Militia HQ. I will also make it a point to explain how these announcements will affect your lives and hopefully the reasoning behind the announcement. If I were to sum my position up, I'd say that I would be the face you see when you think of the Militia. For that, I apologize," he says with a chuckles and a warm smile.
"I'd like you to know that I will do my utmost to have an open door policy when it comes to my contact with the citizens. At the end of this broadcast, my electronic mail address and my com channel extension will be announced. I fully expect you to use it. If you have a question or concern or simply wish to express your opinions on how we're serving the community, I ask you to call or write." Obviously I am but one man. I doubt that I will be able to directly respond to each and every one of you. Because of this, I will be bundling the most common questions and comments into a free newsletter that will be distributed on a bi-weekly basis through the mail system.
"Please do not think that I will be holed away in my office, furiously writing away and answering your calls. I will do my best to be a face on the street as well, interacting with you on a personal basis as time permits. I don't expect that each and every one of you has a vid set or a phone and we all know that not everyone knows how to write. How am I to serve those citizens? In person...I will be visiting all," he emphasizes the word 'all,' "of the districts of the city to make you aware of my presence and listen to your words. I hope that as we move forward you make use of my services. I hope to be seeing you all soon. Thank you for your kind attention..."
Message: 20/28 Sunday, July 30, 2000Militia Mission Broadcast
Aired during Summer, 109PAThis broadcast first airs in the evening, then is reused in later news segments during the week, as well as on the smaller television stations of Tolkeen. In the newsroom, Jhartha Fjekkat and Walter Riely flank their guest, a Militia Liaison, who introduces the following piece as containing real footage taken from their recent reconnaisance mission beyond the borders of Tolkeen. In light of the recent bad press, the Militia has produced this presentation in order to give the citizens a better understand of what their armed forces do. The liaison concludes by saying that a victory for the Militia is a victory for all of Tolkeen.
A bright Militia symbol appears on a black background and a triumphant roar of brass instruments comes to life. A TV cross-dissolve removes this to show a scene where six Militia helicopter transports taxi from a military hangar onto a takeoff tarmac. A firmly expressive male voice-over does a run-on commentary throughout the footage. "Only about a week ago, a courageous mission was undertaken by our long-range reconnaissance patrols..." One by one the helicopters launch off into the early morning dawn and swoop off past the city walls, disappearing from sight. "Recent intelligence reports had indicated a strong Coalition presence near our borders and High Command deemed it necessary to the security of our fair territory that these fascists not gain a significant foothold."
The scene changes to a shot of the interior of one of the transport helicopters. The look of the footage seems to indicate that the camera is mounted somehow upon the shoulder of one of the soldiers. In the lower right-hand corner of each shot displayed is the more stationary overlay of the recording soldier's name next to a red dot. Clearly, one might say 'overwhelmingly', audible are the staccato-buzz sounds of propellors in blurred rotation, and the high-powered whine of rear turbines. Twelve personnel in a new style of Tolkeen Militia camouflage armor are clustered together in the rattling interior of the craft, checking weapons, applying dark paint to their faces and looking all like brave and courageous young beings. The mix of species and gender in this grouping seems rather notably varied. Now confirmed is the presence of a camera attachment on each of the armor suits. "Just one of the squads being sent far beyond the protective walls of Tolkeen to do their duty and gather crucial information on the movements of our sinister arch-nemesis."
The next scene cut to is from within one of the helicopters. A soldier lit up in the red glow of the craft interior is hauling the side door open; wind howls inside the cramped compartment. Outside, the darkening wild horizon is stationary, the sky an inky purple as the sun drops out of view. Two by two, the now fully-armored personnel move to the edge and toss readied rappeling gear out the gaping doorway, then exit the helicopter in a single bound, quick and efficient. The lines of cord snap taut as the out-of-sight troops climb the rest of the way down. One particularly zealous trooper practically dives to his death with a daring leap and a boisterous cowboy whoop. Moments after he disappears beyond the edge of the craft floor, the cord seems to slacken suspiciously, though it snaps straight again in the next second. "Ready at a moment's notice and strenuously trained in a variety of military skills, troopers disperse from their transports to begin the arduous and dangerous trek towards their objective."
Halfway through the monologue, the camera view cuts to some densely wooded areas; night has fallen, and thousands of crickets chirp en masse. From what must be a mounted camera with passive night vision and a concealed position comes a suspenseful scene. A Coalition Dogpack is displayed in varying tones of green grainy detail, as they travel past, taking no notice of the viewer. "Concealment, avoiding open conflict and other stealthy training gives our soldiers the edge needed to employ guerrilla tactics successfully. Here we see just one of the many enemy patrols that was evaded by our personnel. Our soldiers are put through strenuous training to blend in with the forest and outwit our aggressors."
Tense music accompanies this next series of nightvision shots that involve a desperate conflict between Skeletal robots and Tolkeen's Recon Forces. In a rapid series of cuts and new camera angles we see three Militia Scouts, two humanoids and one mutant canine, facing off against their two cold Skelebot enemies. Laser fire and the slashing of wrist-mounted vibro-blades streak about the viewscreen in almost cinematic proportions, mostly in first-person views from the Tolkeenite fighters in this heated battle. The names 'Private Wulf', 'Private Nenlom', and 'Corporal Ruby' flash on and off of the viewscreen overlay as the angle changes. "But sometimes combat is quite unavoidable. The Coalition forces have planted all manner of traps and relentless robotic adversaries for our forces to overcome." The end result of the combat is that both Skelebots have been dispatched by the teamwork of the three Scouts. "But through working as a united force, even these are overcome by our brave soldiers, but not without sacrifice and the always present reality that they are what stands between these invaders and Tolkeen's city walls."<continued in next post>
Message: 20/29 Sunday, July 30, 2000A new scene shows a night-time view of a heavily fortified compound situated within a large clearing of the forest, and illuminated brightly from certain landing beacons. Four large buildings, gun-mounted turrets and