Subj:	 [ffml] [MW] You're not paranoid if they really are out to get you
Date:	99-12-11 14:35:08 EST
From:	RaumKatze2@aol.com
Reply-to:	ffml@onelist.com
To:	ffml@onelist.com

From: RaumKatze2@aol.com

     At this point in the battle, the Lance Henriksen army was not trying to 
make headway, but was only trying to stay alive.  Kat ordered a retreat, but 
only a small percentage of her forces managed to escape Vector alive.  The 
rest were either slaughtered in the hopeless combat, or improsoned, to be 
executed later.  Only Kat and about 25 Henriksens made it back to Doma.

------------------
     Back at the aptly titled war room of Doma castle, all the members of the 
council were present.  The room carried an aura of seething anger, because of 
what happened at Vector.  "Okay," said Kat, "We've got to figure out what 
went wrong, so that next time, we can be victorious."
     "Ha!" Lance Henriksen bitterly laughed, "Next time, as if there will be 
a next time.  What went wrong is that I allowed you to be in charge of my 
army in the first place.  Just because you are a descendant of Spacecat does 
not make you fit to lead an army.  You have absolutely no experience in war!"
     "Now, hold on there!  I minored in military tactics in college, and it's 
not as if you have any more real combat experience than I do, what with Lance 
Henriksenia being neutral for the last 600 years.  I fought valiantly.  But 
there was nothing I could have done to save the lives of your men."
     Lance hung his head.  "I'm sorry," he said, "I guess I'm just angry 
about the deaths of so many of my bretheran, and I'm taking it out on you."
     "The defeat is not Kat's fault," said Micheal Jordan, "All signs point 
towards a traitor within our own ranks.  Buy Gatorade!!"
      "And I thinketh I knowist just who that is," said Cyan V, "Didn't think 
we'd figure out it was thee, did you, Fonzie??"
     "Eyyy!!  It's not me!" said the Fonz, "Why would I help the moogles?  I 
swore vengence against them ever since they killed Arnold, my partner in the 
malt shop business, while he was vacationing on Endor."
     "I'd say you are the most likely suspect among us.  I knew I shouldst 
never have associated with a street roughian such as thyself." said Cyan V.
     Gogo interjected, "Since when do you fucking care who you mother-fucking 
associate with?!  I mean, for Christ's sake, you've got Adolf fucking Hitler 
on your side."
     "He's got a point," said Kat.  "Why are he and Micheal still here?  I 
thought you banned them from this council for good?  Why are you suddenly 
friends with them again?"
     Lance added, "And not that I condone slavery, but as long as they had 
the happy moogle slaves, why did they not assist us in combat today?"
     "Seig Heil!" said Hitler, defensively.
     "He's got a good point," said Micheal, "Why has no one brought up the 
shadiest character here?"  He pointed to Smura.
     "I'm afraid I must agree," Kat sighed, "Smura is only here half the 
time, and he has never given a believable explaination for his origin, or his 
motives.
     "I wish I could give you an answer that would dispel your apprehensions 
about me, but I can't."
     "See!" said Cyan V, "He admits it!"
     "I admit nothing," said Smura, "I just meant that I am unable to answer 
your questions about my own affairs."
     "I move that we ban Smura from this fucking council!" said Gogo.
     "I hereby banish Smura from the land of Doma!" said Cyan.
     "Hold on there," said Kat, "I think you're being a little hasty."
     "No, that's alright," said Smura, "I will trouble you no more."  He then 
faded away into thin air.
     "You can't go banishing everyone who appears suspicious to you!  That's 
an abuse of you power.  And considering your dealings with the likes of a 
certain basketball star, and a certain dictator, I'd say your authority is 
very questionable!" Lance yelled.
     Ladice began to cry, "Please, stop," she said, "All of this isn't doing 
any good."
     "I'm sorry, Princess Ladice," said Cyan V.

From: "Sky Hall" 


  Cyan, though sullen, spoke up. "Is there any more business at hand?"
  The chamberlain came forward and spoke, "There is, sire. Two young men 
have come with a most interesting proposal. I would have at first turned 
them away, but they made a very convincing argument."
  Everyone looked interested.
  "Very well," said Cyan. "Allow them in."
  The Chamberlain siganled and in through the main doors came two young men. 
One wore a cape, leather vest, and long-sleeved tunic. He walked like a 
warrior. The man next to him seemed nervous and wore only a tunic and 
trousers.
  Everyone at the council table turned and looked at the men.
  "Who art thou?" asked Cyan.
  "I am Tim, your grace. And this is Martin. We are humble petitioners, 
seeking your audience." Both Tim and Martin bowed in deference.
  "Proceed," said Cyan.
  Tim and Martin straightened.
  "I know that the Alliance is currently engaged in a war with the Moogle 
Empire, and that your energies are all occupied. But I have come to you with 
a modest proposal that may improve with time.
  "I have a plan to defeat the Dark Lord."
  "Preposterous!" muttered Jordan.
  "You got to be fucken kidding me," said Gogo.
  "I like it," said Hitler. "It shall be another Operation Barbarossa. Zeig 
heil!"
  "How can you possibly propose to defeat the Dark Lord?" asked Cyan, after 
the others had quieted down. "And for what reason?"
  Tim indicated Martin. "This young man, sire, lost his wife to the Dark 
Lord and escaped his realm to find a way to save her. He found me, down 
south of Vector. I am a mercenary and have been having a hard time finding a 
job of late. And since I have no other engagements, decided to take up his 
quest, for a bit, and help this young man."
  Cyan looked annoyed. Tim hurried.
  "But the reason why I took his quest is because almost all the nations and 
kingdoms of this world have issues with the Dark Lord and wish him 
destroyed, but nobody can do that. Individually, they struggle against the 
Dark Lord are soundly defeated. But together, formed into a coalition 
against the Dark Lord, we can defeat him.
  "The Dark Lord himself is a powerful magic user and he can use his magic 
to destroy one army, then flee before the next army can catch him. And his 
magic can keep other magic users at bay while his army overwhelms anyone 
defending the magic user.
  "However, if several nations join the coalition, I am sure victory can be 
achieved.
  "What I am asking for is not immediate support, or even funds. But a 
promise, or a pledge, that you are dedicated to this idea and will 
participate when a certain number of other nations are joined. Would you 
grant this?"
  Cyan looked from Tim to the council members.
  "It sounds half-baked, but the kid does have a good idea," said Lance 
Henriksen.
  "There is no fucken way it'll work," said Gogo. "The kid's got bad shitty 
reason."
  "I think it could work," said Kat.
  "All he asks for is a pledge," said Ladice. The young princess seemed to 
have brightened considerably. She turned to Martin. "What was her name, 
lad?"
  Martin looked shocked at being addressed. "A-angela, ... your highness," 
Martin sputtered out with an awkward bow.
  "You truly love her?" asked Ladice, her hands held her abdomen.
  "Yes, your highness. Very much so."
  Ladice stared into Martin's eyes. She then turned to Cyan.
  "My lord Cyan, what do you think? Could we pledge our assistance to these 
men and their cause?"
  Cyan looked from Ladice to Tim and Martin, thinking for a moment. "Art 
thou a mercenary, Tim?"
  Tim nodded. "I am, my lord. Currently without an employer."

  "Uhm..." said Cyan. "I shall give you a choice. If you join our cause in 
defeating Emperor Mog, we can aid you in fighting the Dark Lord sooner, 
rather then later. This will also gain you esteem in the eyes of our allies. 
Or, you can wait till we have defeated the Moogles. What shall you choose?"
  Tim furrowed his brow.
  Tim looked to Martin. "Well, my friend, this is your choice now. I need an 
employer. You need a friend to help you. Our paths may stay together, or 
they may diverge. If you join me, you will learn how to fight and be able 
to, on your own, rescue Angela. Or, you can go and find another mercenary 
with a good heart to help you. What do you choose?"

*Eric's choice, but here's mine*

  "I'll follow," said Martin. "I doubt I would find anyone other then you to 
help. Besides, we need to defeat the moogles before they will help us defeat 
the Dark Lord."
  Tim nodded, then turned back to Cyan. "My lord, we will serve you."
  Cyan nodded. "Very well. Chamberlain! Show these men away."
  The Chamberlain approached and showed Tim to a sergeant.
  "So, you are going to join us, eh?"
  Tim nodded.
  "What experience do you have fighting?"
  "I've been a mercenary for eight years now," said Tim. "When I could 
barely lift a sword, I started selling my services. I've escorted caravans, 
patrolled lands, stood guard duty at all manner of defenses, and was a 
leiutenant in a mercenary company before it was disbanded. I know how to 
lead men, organize them, train them, and make them a capable fighting unit."
  "Why disbanded?"
  "The Captain retired," said Tim.
  The sergeant nodded, then looked at Martin. "And you?"
  Martin looked shocked. "I... I barely know enough to swing a club at a 
tree."
  The sergeant snorted. "Very well. I have a place to put you. And you," he 
said indicating Martin, "will be Tim's valet. Follow me."
  The sergeant led them away.
  While this happened, the council had dismissed.

--Sky