| From: | Pete <Pete@********.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | RS: The Library |
| Date: | Mon, 13 Jan 1997 23:58:09 +0000 |
>>>>>[
+++++ARCHIVE ACCESS: 9-1DA-2S
+++++BEGIN UPLOAD: RS2/1A8-F.ctx
+++++LLE engaged
+++++04:45:21
Avenger: "Search the camp, salvage whatever's worth having. Pharoah,
check the officers quarters grab anything that looks important. Shado,
check the area, look for anything that is suspicious or interesting,
Gates, go with her, primarily, find the entrance to the library, it
should be to the west of the camp. Dewy, Blaze, Edge, Nemesis, get down
here. Stephanie, Wells, Loch, with me, let's see what we can do for the
two hostages. Good work everybody."
The four warriors walk over to where the two hostages are sitting,
glancing around at the destruction and carnage, fear evident in their
faces. The female, nervous, yet a defiant look in her eye stands as DA
approaches. "What do you want with us?"
DA attempts to smile reassuringly, but his face cracks into what looks
more like a snarl, the residual effects of the spell evident as his
voice booms over the camp. "I am know as .... Dammit..." He lowers
his voice to a hoarse whisper, as both archaeologists look at him in
alarm. "I am known as the Dark Avenger, my fellows here are Wells,
Loch, and Stephanie. We don't want anything, we are here to look at the
library you've discovered, the rebels were in our way. One of your team
members was encountered in Veracruz where they've been trying to drum up
support, they offered us help if we got you out. You're out, and safe.
We mean you no harm."
Anna: "My name is Anna, Dr. Anna Turner, my colleague is Dr. Ben
Anderson. The two scientists look around the destruction dubiously.
"You did all this, and mean us no harm. Did you have to kill
everybody?"
DA: "What would you rather we do, walk into the camp and ask pleasantly
for them to give you both back, and move to a different location. If
even one had got out, they'd bring reinforcements. We are only a small
group, and cannot defend against units of this kind of size. It had to
be quick and brutal, or you would've shared the same fate as your other
colleague. He was killed by the rebels, if you want to know what they
did to him, you'll find his body over there near a latrine pit." DA
points in the direction of the battle fought by himself, Loch and
Wells. But I warn you, it's not pretty."
Ben: "We didn't know he was dead, the commandant told us he'd been
released as a gesture of good faith to our funders, he had been set free
prior to our ransom being paid. Poor Ray..."
DA: "Yeah, well. What's done is done. Look, we don't have much time,
I've got people in the jungle looking for the entrance to the library,
it's imperative that we find it, and get in there. It contains
something we need desperately. You could save us a lot of time if you
just tell us where the entrance is. We'll take you back to civilisation
later today."
Ben: "I should have guessed, treasure hunters. The things in those
vaults and chambers are not for recovery by treasure hunters, they are
valuable artefacts, and need to be researched and displayed to the
public, not hidden away in some private collection. We'll not help you
to do that."
DA: "Look. We are NOT treasure seekers, the fate of some very good
friends and a city, maybe the whole damn planet, rests on what we do
here. I don't have the time or the patience to argue with you over
this. We are looking for an icon, or medallion, known as Twilight's
Soul, that's _all_ we want, you can keep the rest of your damned
artefacts."
The two scientists look at each other quickly, and then scan the team
scattered around them. Whether seeking reassurance from the hardened
faces, or sizing up the opposition is difficult to tell. "You can't get
to what you seek. There is some sort of barrier in place around the
chamber that contains what I think you want. We've lost two scientists
trying to get into it. Unfortunately we don't have a mage on hand, so
we can't find a way through. I suspect, what you are looking for, is on
the other side of this barrier."
DA: "I have two..." he glances at Stephanie, "three mages here. Show
us the entrance, and we'll do the rest."
Anna: "Before we show you anything, we're going to need some sort of
reassurance that you are who you say, and that you want Twilight's Soul,
and what it is you want it for. The item is reputed to contain
considerable power in Mayan legend and records. We've not yet uncovered
what it was used for, but I am suspicious of your desire."
Wells steps behind DA, a grainy whisper spills of his lips, it sounds
as if his voice is that of Scorpius, "Got to love the barter system,
eh, brother?"
DA: "Yeah, haven't you just. Look lady, whether you help us or not,
we'll eventually find what we're looking for. I would rather have your
assistance....."
Pharaoh: "Hey, DA, chill down man. The lady's been cooped up in here
with a bunch of rebels, the whole world explodes around her, and she's
greeted by some of the meanest lookin' people I've seen in a long time.
Why don't we all just back off, get cleaned up, shove the bodies
somewhere they aren't going to cause offence, and talk over some hot
soycaf. We're all kinda hooped up over this, and a breather might be a
good idea."
DA spins on Pharaoh, looking for all the world like he's going to attack
him, then something breaks, and his shoulders slump. "Yeah, you're
right. OK, let's get this mess cleaned up, dump the bodies over by the
motor pool, that'll keep 'em out of our way, I'll figure out a way of
disposing of them later. Dewy, when does this damn spell finish?"
Edge: "No problem man..... How long does it take city ordnance to dig
a hole?" He concentrates for a short time, and a large hole suddenly
appears near the wrecked trucks. "Instant grave dude, all you had to do
was ask." He grins. "Ain't magic wonderful?"
Dewdrop shakes his head sadly. "Edge, dispel the constructs. Jesus
man, what are you doing keeping those things around, you're taking too
much strain on this, let 'em go. You'll be clear in a few seconds DA."
Edge: "I can handle it, anyway, they can fill in the hole again once
we've finished sorting the dead."
Pharaoh: I've found some paperwork that might be useful. Radio codes,
contacts, names and strengths of local associated forces. There's
nothing within 10 miles of us, that can get here quickly. I doubt
anyone's going to worry too much, though they may send a scout out to
find out what happened to this group, I figure they'll assume government
forces took the camp. I'd suggest we set up a perimeter though. At
least we'll get some warning that way."
Loch: "Did anyone come into contact with an hermetic or shaman? If
so, we could have some problems with one of them getting out a
warning."
DA: "NO none encountered, I had Dewy watch out hard for one, and
nothing occured that was out of line.
Steph, you and Pharaoh rig a perimeter, 100 meters out, make sure
anyone coming in has a few surprises. Nemesis, get on the radio, tell
the archeologists we've secured the camp and rescued their friends,
though there's one casualty." He keys the headset. "Shado, Gates, come
on in. We've got some work to do, the eggheads will assist us in
finding the library. Chan, would you mind getting something hot going
for us all. Let's get busy people."
Wells: "15 servings of filet mignon coming up."
DA: "Let's get busy people!"
Edge: "Hey, DA, you want advanced warning of incoming, I can set up
some stuff that'll let us know sooner than anything Pharaoh and Steph
can set up." The two look at him, vaguely insulted. "Watchers, dude, I
can have a dozen watchers out there, and we'll know instantly anything
turns up."
Dewy: "Edge... There's no way on this planet you can get a dozen
watchers out there, and you couldn't maintain the damn things anyway.
Look at you, you're dead on your feet now. You'll be unconcious before
you get a couple out there, and what then, you're out, and those earth
constructs of yours go nuts for a while. No watchers, Edge. not till
you've rested up some."
Edge: "I can take it...." He looks around at the dubious faces
surrounding him. "I can."
DA: "No. you release what your holding now, and rest. Maybe later, if
we need them."
"I'll put Watchers some out." Stephie grins at Edge. "And I'll get the
local spirit to keep watch too. I _can_ do _some_ useful magic, you
know. Don't worry, Edge, you won't miss anything."
Edge opens his mouth as if to say more, changes his mind, and sits down
on a ruined oil drum. "No faith some people. Absolutely no faith at
all."
DA: "Ms Turner, Mr. Anderson, if you'd like to come this way, I'll see
if we can't find something more confortable to sit on......"
Stephanie: "Avenger, not the office, that's not a good place right now."
DA: "Dewy, with me." The two archaeologists reluctantly follow the
Avenger, with an amused looking Dewdrop tagging along. They stop near
what was the mess hall, and DA grabs a couple lightly charred seats.
Please sit down. He unclips one of the packs around his waist and pulls
a packet of cloths from inside, taking half a dozen he passes the pack
to Dewdrop and proceeds to clean his face and hands.
The flicker from the flames of the burning camp adding a surreal
background to the four seated people. The two civilians, and the two
armed and armoured warriors, look incongrous sitting on charred chairs,
in the centre of the destruction, for all the world, apparently in the
middle of a business meeting.
Avenger lights a cigarette. "Look, it's like this. We recently were
involved in extracting a family out of Chicago Containment Zone, in so
doing, we stumbled across some sort of insect hive or nest. Something
outside the Zone..." the scientists look at each other again, and then
back at the Avenger. "We have received and acqquired information, from
several sources, that mention the Twilight's Soul as an item that would
be desirable to these creatures. They seem to believe it contains some
power they can use. It is my job to see that they don't get it, and to
find out if there's a way we can use it against them. Now I have
information that states the Mayans created the Soul as a... a... "
Dewdrop: "Focus."
DA: "Yeah, thanks, a focus, for magic, power, sunlight, whatever.
Anyway, this item is rumoured to be able to allow someone of sufficient
ability to use it. We haven't yet discovered the true nature of the
artefact, or precisely what it can do, or how. I only know that the
bugs' queen wants it, which means it's important to them, if it's
important to them, it must therefore be important to us. I don't know
why they can't come and take it, I can only assume that they don't look
enough like us to be able to travel openly, though I know of someone who
was fooled into believing one was a friend. Now I really don't care
whether I'm making any sense to you or not, but this artefact _is_
important, and I mean to see to it, that the queen doesn't get her nasty
little hands on it. I would much rather do this with the help of people
experienced with this location, than have to search for myself, but if
it means tearing this place apart, stone by stone, believe me, I'll do
it."
Ben: "We are familiar with the Chicago problem, it's difficult not to
be in our line of work, the UCAS government has approached several seats
of learning in an attempt to find the source of the bugs and a way to
destroy them. So we are familiar with this. I don't know that the
artefact will be of any use to you though. I'll tell you what little we
know, and see what you think.
The Mayans, as you are aware, were an extremely advanced civilisation
for their time, you have to realise the world was still stone age, when
their civilisation was at it's peak. They had trading routes set up
running almost the length and breadth of this country, and were
accomplished sailors. Some of their teachings and work can be found
amongst the Native American Nations, one example are the Anasazi
Indians, in the late 1200's the people who created the massive series of
cliff dwellings in South-western Colorado, the Anasazi, vanished leaving
only the silent monuments to what surely was a great society. These
incredible ruins carved in giant alcoves of rock are one of North
America's greatest archaeological treasures. Despite decades of study we
are no closer to understanding why these people went to such an extreme
to build these complex architectural wonders, what they were so scared
of that prompted this architectural decision, and why after 1000 years
of living on the plateau they suddenly left. There are other examples
as far north as Alaska, South America is heavily influenced by Mayan
culture, it can be found throughout the northern part of the continent,
and deep into Brazil. They were either influenced by, or traded with
the Incas, as some of the architecture and learning is interrelated,
the civilisation was still around, though slowly dying, during the Aztec
empire, shortly before the Spanish arrived, and destroyed most of what
existed.
I'm telling you this so that you understand that this was an extremely
powerful, and extensive civilisation, most people associate the mayan
culture, with a few stone temples, what isn't commonly known is the full
extent of the cities and civilisation, and the size of the empire. And
believe me, it was huge. Now what I'm going to say next is what we
consider the most shocking, and caused more than a few arguments in the
last century, dividing the archaeological foundation almost
irrepairably. There are strong indications that the Egyptian
civilisation was aware of, and possibly traded with the Mayan.
Similarities exist in as much as they both built pyramids, though the
Mayan are more reminiscent of Chinese pagodas than the monoliths built
by Egypt, but both civilisations had an advanced mathematical system,
both civilisations had advanced astronomical techniques, both built
observatories, and both considered the constellation of Orion inportant
in some way. The observatory here, in Palenque, has holes in the upper
sections, that perfectly align with the Planet Venus over several
months, the arrival of the star in one section of the Temple, was the
indication for war to begin. Both civilisations were also accomplished
navigators and sailors. The Mayans trading throught the American
continent, and evidence has been found plaing the Egyptians as far north
as the UK.
One school of thought insists that both the Mayan culture, and Egyptian
were heavily influenced by the lost civilisation of Atlantis. We won't
know the truth of that, until we discover the location of Atlantis. The
Mayan civilisation existed, 5000 years before Christ, and began to
decline about 1000 AD, the end of what is called the Classic Period,
but, It was the Spanish invasion in the 1500's that finally ended the
civilisation. That's over 10,000 years of civilised existence, and a
culture that covered this section of the continent, utterly destroyed in
a few years by Spanish greed and idiocy. Even with the vast amount of
heavy archaeological work done by the Aztlan government, we still know
relatively little about the Aztecs, and less about the Mayans who
influenced Aztec society so heavily. Did you know that the Mayan and
Aztech civilisations were at war with each other? That it was the
arrival of the Spanish that almost saved the Aztech culture, until the
Spanish discovered the Aztech's love for gold. Gold is a metal that
only features in late Mayan culture, their early valuables and artefacts
were primarily made from onyx, obsidian and jade. They used crystals,
that we can only successful drill with a sonic drill, without shattering
the crystal, yet the Mayans, somehow made necklaces out of these
things.. An amazing people Avenger, and with secrets, that the dead are
only reluctantly giving up.
We haven't begun to explore even a small percentage of the cities, towns
and temples they have erected, more are found each year, in the rain
forests and jungles of central and south america, more and larger
sections of the existing cities are uncovered and reclaimed from the
jungle's growth. So there is little chance that you will ever find out
what this item can do, or how it can be used. Even with the technology
and equipment we have available today, we still don't understand the
acoustic principles used to design the amphitheatre in Chitchen Itza.
The carvings and murals in Bonampak, were the first clues to deciphering
their complex language, and even that still holds mysteries. we believe
we understand their mathematical theories and formulae, but are unable
to determine how they could build temples and observatories precisely
aligned with the stars, and with events during the year. For example,
during the spring equinox, the Temple of the Sun, at Chtchen Itza
displays a writhing serpent climbing the steps of the temple, into the
altar chamber at the top, and it only occurs once a year, there is never
even a hint of it at any other time. There is a single temple, Salil, a
palace, and what appears to be a burial mound, though the work of
uncovering it is very slow, and hampered with all manner of problems. A
temple dedicated to ants, we believe, insects similar to those that have
taken control of Chicago. Not the small weaver or soldier ants that can
be found in the jungles, but large, man sized or bigger. Some of the
carvings down there are quite strange, and show creatures larger than
the men drawn alongside them, participating in rituals and sacrifices.
Offering blood to the Mayan gods. This was the strangest discovery, and
one that still has yet to reveal it's meaning. I'll clarify, what I
mean... The Mayans believed that they were made from corn flour, and
given life by the blood of their gods, which is why they sacrificed
people, they were offering that blood back to their gods in payment for
their life, the Mayan word for themselves means, Children of the Corn.
corn was a staple part of their diet, and is what the Gods used to make
them. When they died, their spirits went back to the Gods, who waited
in the Corn fields to collect them. So why they believed insects would
do the same thing, is a mystery. However, the recent discovery by
Aztlan mages, and their use of Blood to increase the power of their
spells without the debilitating after effects of powerful magic use,
seems to indicate that they have possibly discovered one of the things
that gave the Mayans the power to exist for so long, in such a stable
form, and may also explain their use of blood sacrifice in a more
sinister way.
All this leads to the obvious point that the artefact you are searching
for is possibly Mayan, if it is, then it will only work to the Mayan
manner of spell use. Which means it will require blood, fresh blood,
from a living being. Are you prepared to take the risk of killing an
innocent, of sacrificing an innocent soul, so that you can squeeze the
still warm blood from a living heart over the artefact, Avenger? It is
not, in my mind a pleasant prospect....."
He looks at the Dark Avenger, and Dewdrop, who looks a little sick, and
more than a little horrified.
DA: "We don't know enough about the artefact to be able to use it, all
I intend at this time, is to gather the pieces, and prevent the bugs
from getting their hands on it. If that means destroying the item, then
so be it...."
Anna: "You don't understand Avenger. This thing you search for, has
existed for thousands of years. The Mayans broke it up and hid the
parts in various places around their empire, to prevent others from
getting hold of it. We know for certain that only one piece resides
here in Palenque, not the whole item...."
DA: "Yeah, so one piece is here, I'll find the rest, and at least it's
one piece less for the bugs to find....."
Dewy: "Woah, no Avenger, you misunderstand what Anna is saying here. I
think what she's trying to tell you is that the Mayans broke the item
into sections, OK, Why? Why didn't they destroy it themselves? I think
what Anna is saying is that it can't be destroyed."
DA: "Hmmm. Makes sense, I suppose, but I'm not convinced. All the
same though, we can't afford to leave the chance that they might collect
even one piece, we don't know, that may even be sufficient for their
needs."
Anna: "No. It would have to be the entire piece. One section would
not hold any power, let alone sufficient to enable it's use for anything
except a paper weight. The entire artefact needs to be assembled. Do
you know why the bugs would want it? It seems a little exotic for even
them, and they have a strong presence in the Brazilian jungles."
DA: "I have no idea why....."
Dewdrop: "I think I might know. The Mayans used Shamanic magic.
Shamanism, in its basest form, is the worship or study of the spririt
world. Mayan shamans communicate with the spirits of the dead to
foretell the future. Their entire magic belief is based around
Shamanism, and the summoning of spirits, communicating with these
spririts, and banishing them back to whence they came. Now, think about
this. If the Mayans, had some power, say there was a gradual fade of
power at the end of the third age....
DA: "The third what?"
Dewdrop: "Don't worry about it, just bear with me. If there was still
residual power from the third age, the Mayans would have consideral
strength through the skills of their Shamans. Now, let's assume that
the power is fading, the Shaman's are losing their strength, and their
ability to speak with the spirit world. So they combine their power.
We know the Temple of the Sorceror in Palenque is unique in Mayan
culture, nothing resembling it has been discovered in over 75 other
sites. Their most powerful priest was buried beneath it, a chap called
Pakal. Now, if we follow this line of thought, their power is dying,
which means they are finding it harder and harder to call on the spirit
world to assist them, what if they built an item, that opened a portal
between this world, and the spirit world, that allowed both to travel
freely between the two planes That item, would need a constant source
of strength to maintain the power that held the portal. We know that
towards the end of their culture, the mayans started sacrificing people
in far greater numbers. almost in an apparent attempt at genocide. They
also sacrificed animals, including their sacred Jaguar. If they
sacrificed people, to maintain the strength, to be able to hold the
portal open, or even to open it for short periods, it would explain
much, especially regarding the sudden collapse of their civilisation and
the disappearance of their culture. It might also go a long way to
explaining other aspects of their civilisation.
Now, on this train of thought, we know that bugs are summoned through
the use of Shamanic spritual magic. They are effectively spirits,
ghosts if you will. They can only physically exist of they inhabit a
living host. If the Mayans discovered the bugs, through their portal,
they may have been alarmed at first, if however, the bugs assisted
them, in war, whatever, I don't know, then it is feasible that the
Mayans would continue to sacrifice people to maintain the rift, allowing
the bugs free travel between this world and theirs. Sorry if I'm going
on a bit, and correct me where I'm wrong, but artefacts, cultures and
magic are passionate hobbies of mine. Now, it is a school of thought
that the bugs existed in the Brazilian rain forests and jungles prior to
their discovery in North America. What if these bugs were the original
residue from that portal? The bugs we know and hate, would want that
item, it would open a clean portal for them to come across as and when
they wished, without the inherent problems they are experiencing at the
moment. They must have some knowledge of the way the portal was opende,
as the queens appear to be capable of summoning further insects to
populate the hives, but again, it requires a host to do it, and
consequently a lot of effort. The item we are searching for, Twilight's
Soul, would reduce that effort considerably, and place this world in
great jeopardy.
The residual decline of magic is a valid theory that is being explored
by several seats of learning, and would explain much about the
appearance of magicians of great power, such as the British Merlin, some
of the Amerindian creatures like the Wendigo, Aladdin, Sinbad, Christ
himself was a healer and miracle worker, he may have merely been a
magician during a spike period. We'll probably never know, without
being able to predict when these spikes in the power level occured.
Others exist in every culture, in every country. The Ark of the
covenant, Moses, Chia Lung, the dragon fought by St. George, the
druids, and so many other examples of fantastical creatures and
magicians, powerful Shamans exist in Amerindian legend, Shamans capable
of great feats, who walked with powerful spirits. The legends from
Africa. Solomon among others, the dreamtime and the power of Australian
Aboriginal shamans. They may all be examples of the power we call
magic, coming through and eventing, or spiking. much like a volcano
that builds pressure and suddenly erupts. All examples that could be
used to explain the strength of the Egyptian and Mayans, the Incas and a
thousand other civilisations, right back through time to legendary
Atlantis, and possibly beyond.
Which means the Invae, are also an ancient culture or civilisation, such
as it is. They lose much during their summoning, and must rely on hosts
to regain some of their abilities. Avenger, you've seen first hand what
these creatures are like, how difficult it is to harm them. Imagine
what it would be like to allow them through, in their pure form. If
this Twilight's Soul that you speak of, is an item similar to the one I
speculate about, it would be very important to the bugs. _Very_
important.
If there is an ancient hive or nest, somewhere in the Amazon, then this
hive/nest will be more than aware of the existence of the Soul, in fact
they were probably trapped here when it was broken down into smaller
pieces. The Mayans may have realised what was happening, and broken the
artefact to prevent it's use. They would also have been aware of the
weaknesses of the invae, and would set wards accordingly to prevent the
entry of these creatures, also protecting against mankind as well,
knowing the greed prevelant in man. Which all comes together to say
that maybe we should leave well alone, and let the soul rest in it's
present places. Our recovery of the items, may result in greater danger
than leaving it where it is."
DA: "I understand some of what you say Dewy, but if we know of the
item's existence, and the bugs know of the items' existence, then how
long will it be before they find someway around whatever this warding
may be. How long is it going to be before they find someone corrupt
enough, and powerful enough to recover it. No, we can't take that risk.
If this item is as important as you make it out to be, the bugs will be
working damned hard to get hold of it. It's taken them what four years
to get out of the Containment Zone. Four years, of hard work, and
subtlety. I don't believe these creatures will give up so easily. They
have been pretty determined to return to this planet for some reason. I
think they will be just as eager to regain the Soul, and put it to use.
The hive/nest in Brazil, if such a thing exists, amy know how to use it,
but I dare say they have learned over the centuries that they can't get
it, but I also would think that they have tried. Anna, how many of
these sites have suffered from grave robbing and interference?"
Anna: "All of them. Every Mayan or Aztech site we find, has been
robbed. The main temples are used as burial areas, as are the
surrounding grounds, nearly every temple has a tunnel burrowed into it,
and the internal graves, the ones found anyway, are looted."
DA: "That confirms it for me then. We can assume some of the looting
was from greedy prospecters, and some might have been this fanciful
Braizilian bunch, trying to find the Soul. No, Dewy, we can't leave it
here, it has to be recovered and taken to a place, where they can find
a way of destroying it. I'm loathe to allow either of the Tir's near
it, they'll be too tempted to use the damned thing. Maybe the
AmerIndians will understand better, MIT&T would certainly have some
thoughts on the matter, though again, they may wish to play with it
first. I don't know Dewy, but something has to be done, maybe the
artefact will be safe for another fifty or hundred years, but Magic is a
part of life now, whether we want it or not, which means the bugs now
have a new method of attempting to acquire the Soul. We have to find
it, and find a way to destroy it.
Anna, Ben, please, take us to the chambers you think holds the Soul. I
want my mages to have a look at what we are about to face."
+++++END UPLOAD: RS2/1A8-F.ctx
+++++CLOSE ARCHIVE: 9-1DA-2S
]<<<<<
-- Dark Avenger <23:56:23/01-13-58>
