I watch the Fox event concerning Obama and Mccain Saturday and the interviewer

asked them both 'What three advisors would they listen to when they were President?'

Obama indicated among others that his wife would be one of 'the three'.

Given her consistant 'gaffs' concerning her views, does this open the door to her

being a issue in the campaign?

From: Hopkins@Crey.HQ.org

To: Scimitar_Lead@Crey.ApSciDiv.org

These so called "Knight Sabres" are beginning to become a growing and considerable threat to Crey's operations as more and more of them are
learning to properly utilize their armor's various weapons, and upgrading them with non-stock parts. There are even indications that some have begun
harassing informants about the Countess herself. I need not remind you that if the Countess goes down for the various black op projects, all of you will most
definitely not have any reason to feel safer. As such, your development team has access to all current technical data
regarding the various armors, and thus we are requesting a detailed analyses of them in order to more properly train our security divisions in handling these
Sabres. Reply immediately.

***

From: Scimitar_Lead@Crey.ApSciDiv.org

To: Hopkins@Crey.HQ.org

Your request and orders have been acknowledged and we are currently mustering every resource we have available to put together the most complete
dossier we can. Admittedly, with some of these Sabres, they've stayed out of the public limelight, making our job difficult. However, we continue our
attempts to provide you with the most updated information possible

XT(Experimental Tank) Series

Subject: XT-01

Alias: Silicon Sabre

Role: Front Line Melee

The XT-01's armor was perhaps the most complete of those recovered by Protector team Alpha-7, allowing her reconstruction and rehabilitation to proceed
ahead of that of the rest of the group. Unfortunately, the software and hardware that makes up these "buma"'s central nervous system is
remarkably advanced. The only thing like it on our Earth is potentially the remains we've salvaged from various Fake Nemesis robots. The artificial brains
which drive them are the only thing remotely as close to replicating this technology. However, at the time XT-01 came online, our current ability to manipulate
their internal commands was nearly non-existant. Her internal software detected and deleted our attempts and activated her, upon which time, she escaped.

Had XT-01 been replicated and mass produced, its role would've been similar to the current Claw Pattern Paragon Protectors, albeit with an increased focus
on durability over maneuverability. The armor itself is entirely melee focused, with its only weapons aside from the twin wrist blades being a standard taser
gun for non-lethal acquisitions. Durable construction allows it to absorb significant punishment, and internal hardpoints were included for self-repair
capability and further durability enhancement via surface-hugging force shield projectors.

Currently, the armor itself has been heavily modified by XT-01 herself, as our intelligence has suggested her mental template donor was the primary designer of
the "hardsuits" that were adapted into the XT series. At present, XT-01 possesses massive durability enhancement beyond spec, self-repair capability
capable of bringing the armor up to full combat readiness from catastrophic damage, and directed force projectors integrated into the blade-gauntlets that
allow XT-01 limited ranged capability. Furthermore, the suit now possesses limited stealth capability via after-production modification. Modified versions of
XT-01 are also deployed by its pilot featuring significant cosmetic alteration and integration of possible Vanguard technology. XT-01 also possesses the
ability to leap considerable distances in a single jump, as well alter her flight path via directional boosts from onboard verniers.

XT-01's tactics focus primarily on her advantages, usually using a wide sweep of the force projectors to disorient mass groups and then charging in among
them to rapidly devastate single targets before moving to the next. While massed numbers may be able to bring her down, XT-01 is rarely seen without backup,
allowing her to choose her targets carefully. Recommended tactics include long distance attacks and force shields to blunt the effectiveness of her blades. If
possible, cryo-rounds should be employed as they will temporarily short out the field projectors built into XT-01's armor.

Subject: XT-02

Alias: Street Sabre

Role: Heavy Assault Melee

XT-02's armor was similarly nearly complete, and thus adaptation was a simple matter. The primary missing features were apparent mountings for ranged
weapons, which the development team dubbed too complicated for mass production and thus omitted in the refit. However, the escape of XT-01 from custody had the
current XT project lead decide prudence was necessary and authorize seizure of several more artifacts from the target world for use in further modifying the
minds of the CPU units to better serve Crey's interests. As such, while the armor was completed before XT-03, XT-02 did not undergo live combat testing
before her escape during Rikti Incursion 3405-92-39401.

Intended to be used to fill a current gap in Crey Security practices, XT-02 was intended to serve as a "meatshield", soaking up enemy fire and damage
while allowing other troops to attack around it. To this end, the XT-02 armor was outfitted with considerably more durable armor plating and more advanced
self-repair systems. Heavy hydraulic servomotors were integrated into the suit's arms and legs, providing raw physical power on par with any meta-human,
allowing XT-02 to deliver punishing physical damage to targets as well as absorb fire. This adaptation has proven remarkably successful for the unit since her
escape, and the design philosophy may find its way into future Crey tank-class armors.

XT-02, despite being confirmed as active, has not been seen involved in any of Crey's dealings as of yet. Given her psychological profile, it is possible
that she has decided Crey's dealings do not concern her and avoided Crey operations. "Street Sabre"'s public Security Level reflects a lack
of action, however, and perhaps the XT-02 armor was more damaged in its escape than we had previously thought. Tactics for capture are nearly identical to
XT-01, but with the added suggestion of eliminating her backup first. While powerful, the XT-02 was not designed for solo combat against overwhelming numbers,
and its durability has limits when the amount of punishment doesn't let up. Isolating XT-02 from her partners is the surest method to bring her down.

Subject: XT-03

Alias: Net Sabre

Role: Advanced Combat Support/Sabotage

Of all the XT series, XT-03 was the most heavily modified, due in part to its lack of completion and its previous role being considerably less useful to
Crey's operations, should the unit be forced into front line combat. As such, the armor was significantly modified with electrical generators similar to
Voltaic Tanks, as well as the new prototype Kinetic Distributor Array. In hindsight, the current XT Project lead was probably suffering a rather severe lack of
good judgement in equipping such a rare prototype to an unproven design, but at the time, the tendency of XT-series derived units to go rogue was undocumented.

XT-03's build has not been significantly altered beyond what the base design was intended for, but the level to which it has progressed is frightening. Due
to the KDA's effects, XT-03 can sap the kinetic energy from any target, biological or technological, and redistribute it to any other target. Furthermore,
it is capable of enhancing the kinetic energy of a target, allowing them blinding speed and enhanced recovery of their internal regenerative functions.
XT-03's use of her integrated electrical generators has progressed far beyond that of the Voltaic Tanks, allowing for capture fields, a temporarily
self-sustaining energy field that will attack any target not tagged by XT-03 as "friendly", and long distance electrical attacks. These factors make
XT-03 potentially the most dangerous of the XT series, as it is able to drain the effectiveness of any unit sent against it while simultaneously enhancing its
own functions. While this would have been extraordinarily useful had the unit remained under control, it makes it incredibly dangerous now that she's gone
rogue.

The single target nature of XT-03's abilities, however, provides a weakness. Designed as a support unit, XT-03 is only marginally armored against direct
damage. Overwhelming her single target abilities by numbers will allow damage to be dealt to the point of disabling the unit.

Subject: XT-04

Alias: "Dance Sabre"

Role: Targeted Melee/Distraction

Similarly to XT-02, XT-04 was nearly complete with the main lack of ranged armaments and some system the techs couldn't identify intended to be mounted on
the helmet. However, its incredible speed and flexibility caused XT-04 to be designed with a different concept in mind than XT-01, despite being a similar
melee combatant. Rather than absorbing punishment, it was designed to evade punishment entirely, allowing it to wade in, dodge bullets and fists, and inflict
massive damage on targets at close range.

Though leaps and bounds had been made in modifying and controlling the systems which regulated the XT-series' intelligence with recent gains, XT-04 was
lost not to external but internal problems, with one of the project members "losing" her only to use her
enslaved mind as a personal "maid" at his highly secured home. A heavy directed strike by both the fledgling group Riot Force 6.1(Current Threat
Level: Theta Red) and established group the Legendary(Current Threat Level: Omega Black) raided the complex and recaptured her, the XT-04 armor showing on the
streets of Atlas shortly thereafter.

Currently, the XT-04 has not been seen much on Crey's operational radar. However, unlike XT-02, analysts believe this may be due to the psychological
trauma inflicted upon her by her temporary "ownership" by the project member. The XT-series, while aware of the fact of their existences, have full
memory downloads of their templates due to their manufacture, presenting a uniquely confusing situation for many of them. Add in XT-04's use as a mere
machine(and possibly more) by her captor, and our psych analysts have suggested she may have deep rooted issues that are causing her lack of activity. With
luck, her civilian identity can be ascertained and Crey's property reclaimed without much struggle. Combat recommendations include referring to XT-04 as an
object rather than a person, in order to further exacerbate the potentially existing psychological issues to the point of either inaction or rash, unconsidered
action. Either will give the upper hand to a canny field commander.

This concludes the entries regarding the initial four units salvaged via
Portal Corps operations. Further entries will detail other units developed from the groundwork laid by the XT series, and their current operational
status.
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."

Dear Mr. Bob,

Can I post a fanfic of my own here, or at least chapters of such?

-murmur

First up is a random doodle I just did today....
Colored pencil on cheap paper, photoshopped to remove blue lines.


''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

The gloves and flared boots undid me; so I went with her semi-civilian garb, but kept the great face camo.

Emerald Blast soars above Paragon - trusting her stuffed cat to keep gravity from getting a grip on her.

http://www.magma.ca/~revdark/Emerald_Blast.jpg

This one's easy enough: Pick a title from a work of fiction, the write a capsule synopsis of the work that should have had that title.

Since we're playing this over on the anime newsgroups on Usenet, my starting examples are all from anime:

Angel Cop: Even in the great hereafter, there is the Heavenly Inquisition, charged with keeping the Host from Falling to Hell. Protect, Serve, and Keep Holy - that's the job of the Angel Cop. (Based loosely on Steve Jackson Games' In Nomine tabletop RPG.)

Coyote Ragtime Show: In his neverending search for a roadrunner dinner, a predator hangs out at the local Scott Joplin revival festival.

The Galaxy Railways: When Los Angeles' soccer team realizes they spent too much to hire Becks, they cut the team jet in favor of using Amtrak. This is the story of what happens on the Galaxy's road trips.

Last Exile: In the near future, extradition becomes unpalatable after too many cases of "forced repatriation" turned out to be "sending people to be tortured". This is the story of the Last Exile, and what his family had to do to bring him back home.

Lucky Star: No matter how bad the script may be, every play that has Minoru Shiraishi as the lead is a box-office and critical success. But in order to ensure that success, he is forced to lead a double life... What is the secret of the "lucky star"?

Slayers: Mass murderers throughout the ages. (Documentary)
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

Some things you come across when browsing random blogs...

?v-src=about%3Ablank?v-flashvars=?

Death Star over San Francisco.

Some fans clearly have too much time on their hands.

WMD
--Werehawk--
My mom's brief take on upcoming Guatemalan Elections "In last throes of preelection activities. Much loudspeaker vote pleading."

What the subject line says.

Thank you, everyone who offered suggestions, help and/or advice as I struggled through the redesign!
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

Folks, bad news, the global channels and global friends got nuked.

On logging in your global handle will set to the toon you log in on, and you'll have to redo your global channels.

Fortunately "The Legendary" Channel is back.

My global is again @Foxboy for folks needing to re friend.

SGs are fine, just globals got nuked.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

http://www.magma.ca/~revdark/glass_Lass.jpg

Here you go Acyl