A.M.P.E.-Experiment in Terror

[Rufus the Mad]

Orin froze for a split second, the summoned skin of wine inches from his lips, and his eyes darting toward the still-smiling nymph that sat across from him. He had been so wrapped up in the summoning the he had let the fact that she may note the deception slip from his reckoning… Too long had he practiced his craft among those too easily blinded by his flashy mannerisms and exotic appearance… too seldom had he spent time with those that could see past such trivialities to the power and energies of what he was actually doing. He had gambled that her unfamiliarity with him would allow the freedom needed for his duplicity, and had been subtly reminded by her shy question that he was not the one to keep such secrets in this domain.

With a shrug, the Satyr took a long swallow of the sweet wine and looked at her with an unabashed smile in his eyes. His existence to date had always been one of challenge, and he was not fool enough to think he would emerge victorious from every fateful confrontation. He allowed the ease of a moment before to settle about him once more, and answered her soft query directly, understanding now that she knew well what he had done, and was perhaps threatened by his deception. ”Fear not, fair damsel…” he said with a wry chuckle as he brought the small blade forth for her examination ”this is but a simple tool, you have my word. I would but use its edge to construct another set of musical pipes, and thereby come closer to the fine control of my magics that you so seem to wield. I have studied long to be able to use other tonal devices, yea, even mine own voice to bring about my will, but the tribes of my people have long borne the strength of their glamour through the pipes, and as I awoke under Ben’s care without mine, I have been gathering the things I would need to create another set.”

He looked to her then, to see if she understood, and smiled in an indulgent manner when he saw the question swimming behind her visage. Indeed,” he said, answering her question even before she had a chance to ask it ”I could indeed use my power to create another set ready-made, and thereby save myself the trouble, but there is a special feel to a work I have done with mine own hands, a surety and strength behind the magic I can weave with a set rendered by my skill and experience. There have been those that compared the creation of a bardic instrument to the birthing of a child, and well it might be that this pride, this sense of accomplishment is what adds that flavor to my castings. I know not the truth behind it all, and in truth, would seek it not for fear of ruining the prize. ‘Tis good enough for me to know that mine own hands can bring about a magic of their own, and I leave it at that.”

He reached over and fetched back the driest of the reeds, beginning the construction while they chatted, and seeing now no need for hiding what he was doing. She had bid him tell of his homeland, and of those that dwelt there, and having something to do with his hands was a fine way to tell a story. He passed her the skin, and snatched up another grape from the small pile before him, chewing with an obvious relish as he arranged his thoughts…

”To speak to you of my world, of the lands of my birth and the people therein would be a joy, dear daughter of magic, but to sum up a world in but a few phrases is a tall order indeed… I will speak to you then of my place in it, and let you see it as I have known it. In such a way might we share a perspective, and thereby, might you know me the better as well…

Before I came to the world, my mother was branded an outcast among her own people. There was a great conflict between the fae tribes, and she would have no part of it, holding that to shed the blood of those born of magic was to lay in death a dream of the world… For her transgression she was thrown from the bright court, and forced to make her way among the mortals. I know not what brought her to the place, but she met my father, a human herdsman, as he tended his flocks on the sides of a high mountain, and there did she love him. But the fates were not kind to us, and though I was born strong and hearty, the frailty of the birthing proved to much a test for my dam, and she was at last allowed the peace she had been so long denied. My father saw to my upbringing as best he could, seeing that I knew the names of the Gods, and the rituals that were for each phase of the seasons, and for a time I was happy…

Then, however, in the fullness of my adolescence did I begin manifesting the powers of my mothers tribe. The pipes, as I have said before, drew me as none other, and though I had no set of my own, I discovered the set that my mother had borne with her as she traveled, and soon grasped the subtle nuances of their secrets. I could defend the flock from wolves with but a simple tune, bewildering the beasts and stealing their minds for a time as I turned them again to the wilderness in peace, and felt in my heart a glad thrill with each new song. Music, however, was not the only gift my mother had given me. Like all Satyrs, I found myself possessed of a strange gift for matters of the heart, able to find and evoke the feelings of lust and desire in others as readily as I could smile… It took the madness and death of a kind woman to show me the dangers that such a gift represented, and it was her sullying that forced my father and I to flee the iron chains of a local tyrant she had been destined to marry. ‘Twas not her fault the choice she made, nor was it mine that I had offered such a respite without understanding the consequences of my actions… But would that I could undo that single mistake, and thus save her the suffering I brought her.”

The Satyr paused here, glancing up at his one-person audience before speaking again, continuing his tale… ”My father, though a strong man, was yet but a human, and his body grew older as mine grew strong. We had spoken many times of the legends of my mothers people, and when he died, I left our mountain to seek those than knew more than I. I traveled for some five years, gaining knowledge and skills along the way, until I found at last one that could teach me to further my abilities. I entered into the Bardic College as a simple apprentice, and worked my way through to the rank of journeyman in the space of six years. My Masters thought me undisciplined and flippant, but I was but true to my nature, after all, and in the end even the most strenuous of them was forced to admit that I had gained a unique mastery o’re my abilities. Yet… still was I but among humans, still had I yet to find a way into the bright court, and I traveled across the land to seek out those remnants of the tribes that resided there… I entered the court of the Lord and Lady with as much humility as my nature would allow, and learned much while I resided in that glory, both of myself, and of my abilities… As well did I come to understand the other tribes, the other Fae races, and was… exchanging ideas with a Nymph that I had met but recently when I was suddenly struck down by a stray branch.

It was then that I woke and found myself here…”

He finished simply, far too many questions existing in his mind to speak more on his present circumstance, and held up the reeds he had managed to clean and hollow out sufficiently for his purposes, smiling at her over the top of his prizes, and waiting to see if she had any other questions.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gwen was still smiling, but there were tears in her eyes. His story was moving and tragic, especially the end. She knew what had happened, and it wasn't a branch that had caused the pain Orin experienced.

"That headache you had when you first got here wasn't caused by a blow to the head. If you were running or doing any kind of rigorous physical activity when you were colected, it will cause a swelling in the brain. Ben took care of it once you were here, but that's what caused the pain."

Orin took a moment to process all of this and moved right along, as Gwen was beginning to realize was his way. She liked Orin. The curse of the AI is eitedic memory, and the ability to simply move on when it was shoved in your face that reality doesn't work the way you thought it did just wasn't a luxury to those of programmed creation. But to Orin, it was second nature. She admired that level of adaptability. His method of energy manipulation was basically the same as hers, but his abilities rendered things that she would never have had the creative notion to create. It seemed that she could learn much from the fair folk sitting before her. And she still enjoyed his story, so she decided to make more conversation as she enjoyed the wonderful feast he had prepared.

"Your story reminds me of something embedded in my data drives. There is a story from several hundred Earths referring to an individual known as the Foreswarn Prince."

Orin's eyes went wide and his activity stopped. He stared at Gwen. This disturbed Gwen. There was no hint of simply moving on in his eyes. His breathing had stuttered and his heart rate had spiked. Irtalien ap Iliel was not a subject that even the bravest fair folk bard mentioned lightly, and Gwen had just brought him up as if it was a triviality. True, the Foresworn Prince's story was tragic and one of unjust persecution. But he was not a hero of the old tales. One coud only pray to every diety one knew of that Irtalien's curse of imprisonment for a day before forever ends would hold fast.

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

John's eyes continued to stay on the water, amazed by what he was seeing. Water...it was so real. Fascinated as he was by the water, nothing could prepare him for what he was about to see. As the Fade continued to move at fairly impressive speeds, he came closer and clsoer to the once far-off city. Finally looking up from the controls to where he was headed, John stopped the Fade in mid-air.

His jaw dropped open, and he had no words to express what he was thinking. It was...amazing. The sight before him was incredible. He had seen pictures from Old Earth's cities, but nothing could prepare him for actually seeing the scenery of one. Transfixed on the scene before him, John did not even notice the two women who were present. Slowly, he brought the Fade down into the parking lot, his eyes locked on the beautiful environment around him. "Well I'll be damned...even the Alliance ain't got places this nice..." As he stepped out onto the ground, he turned to face the other vehicle in the parking lot, and he almost lost it. His eyes stayed locked on the car, his mouth went dry and his legs felt like jell-o.
"What the hell...."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Beth

"Well, like I said, I can't speak for the fourth containee, since I haven't made contact yet, but the approaching containee is human. As for Orin, well, I think you'd call him a satyr, or 'wise fair folk'. He's from a version of your ancient Greece. Ever heard of them?"

"Satyr? The mythical creatures like in C.S. Lewis's books?" She tried to absorb that into her mind, wondering if she was developing an accurate mental picture of some little half-man and half-goat creature. Was it half goat? She was easily confused by those kinds of things, she was too much like her father. Cold hard facts with sufficient cold hard evidence to back it up. Fairy tale things never really stayed in her mind...

She turned as the flying vehicle's approach became quite obvious, an unnamed containee. Male, human and captured as well.. From another version of Earth! Or was it a ruse?

God! So many things came to mind to ask, but upbringing also dictated it was rude to overly stare at someone. Still, she watched the man leave his little hover craft thing and approach the Lamb. A little too far away to make him out clearly, she debated whether she should approach him and introduce herself?

"Is that the.. containee you mentioned?" She whispered to Gwen as she watched the man inspect the car. Unsure if what she was seeing was who she thought it was before she approached the stranger. Gwen materialized out of thin air, was he real or was he some kind of manifestation of the program's?

She slowly crept forward, watching what he did but still cautious. "H-hello?" Near enough to be heard, she tried to sound casual and greet him as if this was any old day of the week but her voice failed her and came out with a slight squeak. Flushed, she cleared her throat as quietly as possible and stopped advancing.

He was taller than her, but not too tall. Bleach blonde looking hair and wearing very odd-looking clothing. "To be expected if what they said is true.." She couldn't really gauge anything else about him, especially with his back to her, so she waited for him to acknowledge her.

 

[Rufus the Mad]

Orin felt very carefully for the small blade he had summoned, and gripped it convulsively, his mind reeling from the truth of what she had said, and more importantly, how she had said it. He had heard the story, had learned the histories, but always in hushed tones, and always with a careful look around to see who else might hear. She had spoken as though the truth behind it were no more important that the passing breeze, and in truth, Orin had held that same thought, until he had learned the whole truth…

”I must bid thee not to mention that tale again, fair one…” he said carefully, forcing his hand to relax its grip on the tiny weapon ”Tis clear to me that ye know not the weight your words bear, and for this oversight, I shall forgive thee. For you, it may be but a story, a remembered tale… but for those that have borne witness to the graves of the dead, for those that have seen the scarred walls of Arcadia… it is a frightening history. The madness of Irtalien cost many thousands of lives, lives that should have been eternal by the reckoning of men… and though the shattering of his mind is understandable, it yet loosed a terrible calamity into the twilight world.”

He drew in a slow breath, allowing the fresh air to relax him further, and turned to face her once more, the remainder of what she had said at last clicking into focus in his quick mind. “Well, I hold nothing against Ben, he but did as he was given to do, and ‘tis good that I have such a wondrous nursemaid to watch o’re me, should anything untoward come of having been so dramatically summoned.” He gave her an easy smile, allowing his body to relax as he hefted the blade once more and began shredding the fibrous leaves and other materials he had brought to use as bindings. His hands, as quick and sure as ever they had been, were readily constructing the instrument he had designed, and he winked at her as he blew the first hesitant notes across its open surface… Though not fully constructed as yet, his skill had rendered true for his needs yet again, and the wafting tone that issued from the slender reeds held just the haunting, melodic quality that he had hoped. Perhaps there was some truth to the tales of Satyrs being able to pour their desires, their needs into the instruments they crafted… For ‘tis true that his need was great, and that the sweet melancholy of the tone called forth seemed but a solemn echo of his own inner turmoil at the moment. Locked away… lost among the distant trods... indeed much like that all but forgotten bittersweet villain of the dim past… ‘Twas surely enough to make even the brightest spirit take pause.

Yet his mind remained fixated on the tragedy of Irtalien, and how the truth of his own current predicament seemed to so mirror that of the mad prince. ”So tell me, fair Gwen…” he said slowly, not quite sure he wanted to ask the question that had formed in his mind ”Where among the myriad pathways of the realities does this humble kingdom reside? I have walked the soil of several worlds, have found my way down several of the most distant planar trods, yet ne’er have I heard of such an amazement, nor beheld a creature such as your beauteous self.”

 

[VandalHeart]

When Beth had asked her question, she had simply nodded. Gwen followed close behind Beth as they approached John, hoping that Beth would ask his name. Gwen mused in the dataflow to herself on the fact that Beth would probably be able to get his name out of this third containee better than she ever would. It may not have been long for any of them, but for the first time in Gwen's life, she wanted, desperately, to be human.

Meanwhile, she was having problems with Orin. She'd stepped over the line before she even knew what had happened. It was a good thing he was still ready to move on to whatever was next instead of focussing on the bad things.

"This reality is catalogued as Earth # 11986, even though Earth doesn't exist here anymore. It was destroyed when the Sol system sun went nova. Basically, the sun got so old that it exploded. I'm not sure exactly where we are in relation to that point in space, but I do know that is what reality we are in. And thank you for the compliment, Orin. I appreciate it a lot. I'm sorry I brought up something so horrible. That wasn't in my drives."

Gwen wondered why her info was incomplete, but it would have to wait for later. Right now she was too busy enjoying her time with him.

 

[Elayne]

Eve looked down at the chair and gave a small start of surprise. Ben had apparently been able to fabricate it on request and nearly instantly. That hinted at technology far more advanced than any Eve was aware of on Earth. This is like something out of one of those old... Eve thought for a moment, trying to think of the old entertainment medium she had once known of.

Eve took a seat in the chair, which was surprisingly comfortable for being constructed by an entity with no understanding of comfort.

"The chair is fine, Ben. Thank you," Eve murmured, thinking over Ben's reply. The module was big enough to need internal transport and to have internal climate controls with a variety of environments. That was surprising and impressive in and of itself.

"Ben," Eve asked politely, "Are there common areas in the module? Neutral grounds effectively which the containees share?"

 

[VandalHeart]

Ben created another chair for himself, but the sitting was mostly to facilitate a better conversation, because it seemed that looking up at him was causing her some discomfort or extra energy expenditure or...something. Either way, somehow his logic circuits noted that being on as much of a height equality with her as possible would better serve his programming to preserve her health and sanity. It made sense to him, anyhow.

"The G.W.E.N. connects all four of the dwelling spaces for yourself and the other three containees. Her programming protocols are designed to provide an emotional contact here inside A.M.P.E. and a suitable meeting ground for the four of you. There is technically no 'neutral ground' since each containee is provided a space of personal control surrounding the landing point of the lift from each quarters. If a containee were to enter the area surrounding your lift, they would not be able to issue viable commands to Gwen there without your approval. The reverse would apply if you were to enter their 'territory'."

Ben was scanning her entire body, and his scans were repeated several times to monitor changes. Something in his programming was unsatisfied with every subsequent scan. It was as if something inside of him were looking for something, but it just refused to be found.

 

[Elayne]

Eve frowned slightly as she turned Ben's answer over in her mind. It seemed counter intuitive to her that there wouldn't be common, shared areas in a facility the size of which she envisioned this particular environment.

On the other hand, it made a strange kind of sense if she thought about it like a mad scientist. See how the rats interact and struggle, seemed to be the methodology.

"Thank you Ben," Eve murmured, watching him materialize a seat across from her and sit down. Eve thought she had at least some measure of understanding what was going on here now.

"Ben, what can you tell me about the other containees?" Eve asked. Before she left her zone and entered the potentially dangerous control of the other containees, Eve thought she should make sure the other containees weren't Renders or other types of crazies.

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

John stood for a moment, continuing to examine the car in front of him before taking notice of the woman approaching him. It wasn't possible it just...WASN'T possible for this to be here. Things like this didn't exist anymore - they hadn't since Old Earth had been abandoned. When his mind joined him back in reality, he realized that someone, somewhere was talking to him. Turning quickly and reaching for where his gun would have been, he saw the woman, and was mildly surprised. She appeared human but the clothes she was wearing were just a tad bit odd...something wasn't quite right about them. His eyes looked her over, making sure she didn't have a weapon of any kind.
"Hi there." It was at that point that he noticed there was another woman here as well, one that looked very odd as well. His eyes moved between the two of them, not sure exactly what to make of this situation.
"You both been taken prisoner in this here fancy thing they got goin' on as well?"

 

[Rufus the Mad]

Orin was silent for a moment, his mind turning the facts she had given him over again and again as he sought to make sense of them… The sun had grown old… and had died? The realms of his birth, of his home…they too had been destroyed in this place. Truly, it was far from the normal paths that he had fallen, ‘twas far from all that was known that he had been spirited away. Even in his turmoil, however, it was clear that the maid was distressed over her mistake, and he was yet but a Satyr born, and could not allow so delicate a creature to go unaided…

”The fault was not yours, dearest Gwen, and all stands forgiven. Fear not that thou hast erred overmuch, nor that there stands now some barrier between us for the misunderstanding. ‘Tis not my way to punish those that knew not the dangers of their words.” He smiled at her again, his eyes holding only tenderness in response to her distress. ”I thank you for your candor in answering my question, though much of what you reported confounds me, I must admit. Zeus kept the skies dark but a single day when he struck Phaeton from the skies, yet now you give forth that that shining chariot is gone forever… Indeed, ‘tis a blow not easily overcome.”

“Yet here there is light, there is life… and I hold that have you to thank for this.” The bard reached forward then, and lifted her soft, white-skinned hand to his lips, pressing there a single, solemn kiss in way of thanks. ”You have created a haven here, a sanctum for both soul and mind, and you have my thanks…” he looked around then, his eyes dancing as he let a roguish grin spread across his bearded face ”But it is entirely too quiet!”

He sat back then with a laugh, his arms flinging wide and his joyful spirit shredding the last of the darkness that lay within him as he spoke again, saying ”Tis true that you have rendered a most wondrous vision of my homeland, but the air lacks the music of distant pipes and laugher, the shadows lack those shifting subtleties that mark the presence of those secretive sprites that dwell there, and even the languid waters of his stream lack the lively Nymphs that gambol in the depths! There is the appearance of a livable space… but as far as I can see, there is but you and I to fill it! Mayhap we should gather those other souls that Ben was so thoughtful to collect and share with them the beauty that has been created, what say you?”

In truth, Orin would rather have peopled the land with the mysteries and glory of the Fey, would rather have simply molded this to be a personal haven for his own benefit… but he had not the ability to create such life, had not the skill or control to even begin such a formulation… but he was getting a sense of loneliness, despite the comforting presence of the fair-hued maid that sat across from him…

 

[Sweetp4u]

Beth

"Did Gwen tell you why? Because everything I've been told is so confusing and strange.." Beth knew Gwen was standing there beside her, but you couldn't hurt a program's feelings, they didn't have any!

She stumbled a minute, the panic still there apparently as she had blurted out her question without thought or control.

"My name is Bethany, but I can't say it's a pleasure meeting you because being here isn't a pleasure at all.." A nervous laugh escaped as she backed up a step.
"Gwen.." She motioned to the woman beside her, "Is trying to help me feel at home here.." What did one say to another captive with Gwen watching?

"Sorry, my manners are a little slow today.. You are?" She queried for his name.

 

[VandalHeart]

"I have little information on the other containees, besides their vital signs up until they left their quarters. All the information concerning each containee was deleted at the moment of your collection so as to minimize the observer effect."

Ben realized in his difference engines that she was beginning to motivate herself towards the notion of leaving the room. Inexplicably, his rendering sent a message to his logic circuits to find a way to make her stay. Before much of his programming could belay the command, he was already attempting to complete it. The look (of sadness? fear?) on her face somehow added a note of urgency to the commandset.

"However, I can piece together a few conjectures based on appearances and the vitals mentioned earlier. One containee is from a world whose primary technology is based in micronisation, judging from the communication device confiscated from her upon collection. Medical technology is approximately one to two decades prior to that of the world that you come from, judging from your subdermal implants. The next containee is from a world whose primary technology is primarily based in energy manipulation - the craft is nominally connected to an entry listed as 'magic' in my data drives. He is primarily, but not completely, human. The non-human mechanisms in his body are evolutionarily biological as opposed to first generation manufacturing in the case of yours, denoting that they are a normal genetic marker as opposed to a forced mutation or implant. The last containee besides yourself is harder to categorize, but the minimal information I am receiving from the G.W.E.N. unit suggests that his world's technology is primarily based in interplanetary transport and travel. His clothes are similar to those worn in both your history and that of the containee from the micronisation world. The period is referred to in most popular historical reference as the 'Wild West'."

Orin's rendering of Gwen brightened up a bit when he spoke such kind words to him and asked her to take him to the other containees. Slowly, the sea began to roll in a strange fashion that began to carry them towards Beth and John.

"We'll be there in a bit. We'll get there faster if we row, but it's not necessary. If I kick up the waves any higher, we'll risk flipping the boat. As for making more familiar noises, I don't think that's such a good idea."

Orin looked at her inquisitively.

"If I made ambient sounds reminiscent of the Greek countryside, I don't think the effect on your mind would be very comforting, since I'd have a bit of a problem making realistic biological counterparts to go with them. Animals, maybe, but nymphs and picnickers would be a tall order. You should also know that if I try to create too many sentient renderings, I risk developing multiple personality disorder, and that would be very bad for my health...such as it is. So, please forgive my limitations, but they are in place and they are very real."

Gwen was trying to stay out of the conversation as much as possible, although it seemed that Beth was beginning to marginalize her. Did Beth not understand that Gwen had feelings too? Gwen's face turned into a very hurt frown.

"I'm sorry I'm not doing my job very well. I'll leave you two alone to talk. I'm sorry."

Gwen began to weep just before her rendering and the rising sounds that acompanied the tears vanished without a trace.

 

[Rufus the Mad]

”Well then!” Orin said with a quirk of his head and a flick of his furry brows ”Let us not strain your capabilities o’remuch, shall we? I would not have you suffer simply to entertain one as lowly as myself… indeed, ‘tis I that have been trained to see to the entertainments, have I not?” The Satyr grinned at her once more, and let his quick hands finish their work. Soon enough, he held the finished pipes in his calloused hands, the bindings still a bit loose, but with the potential, he knew, to seize and strengthen as the work aged. The fingerholes were specifically sized and placed, the tiny blade having done its work well under his skillful guidance, and the entire work held about it a majesty that was hard to define. This, in short, was the instrument of a Fae Bard, and held the stream of magic within its very nature…

‘Twas this very instrument that Orin prepared to draw to his lips, and his heart soared at the glad thought of hearing its voice in full for the first time… Yet he had an audience, and as any bard would, thought first of her enjoyment, and then of his own. ”As I would not have you do more than thou art wont,” he said with an indulgent nod of his curly head ”Tis fitting that I provide then the visions for our enjoyment. And, as I am somewhat less than proficient in the art of it, I shall leave the piloting of this sturdy vessel to your capable hands.”

His contagious smile beamed across to her, allaying whatever fears she might have had, and he swept his hand over the remnants of their repast, and he spoke in a languorous manner, slipping into his role of showman as easily as breathing, saying ”Cast your eye to these meager leavings, and allow your imagination to drift with the notes of my tune. Look not for change, seek not the secrets afore they reveal themselves, but allow the past to unfold within the soft embrace of our time together…” With that did he at last bring his creation to his lips, and he breathed across the open end in a peculiar rhythm. The scene between them shifted, and the scraps of their meal seemed to twitch as the melody passed over them… His magic, his will reached out, and he let forth the weave of energies that would allow his control of the tale he would tell… The melody was haunting and beautiful, the notes seeming to hang in the air, to fly and entwine even after he bid them come forth, and to build, one upon another, the setting for his scene. An empty sprig from her juicy grapes danced upward, and suddenly seemed as a tree… the peels of various fruit squirmed against each other, suddenly seeming to form the bank of a stream of pond as they settled alongside one another, and the shreds and scraps of the flutes creation seemed suddenly to become grasses, reeds, and even tiny flowers to the viewing eye. These were not real, not factual assets nor truthful transformations, but only representations, mere stagecraft for the story he planned to tell.

Suddenly, almost shyly, a slim girl, no more than a ghost of the mind, but seeming to be truly alive amid the created setting, made her dainty way to the edge of the bank, and dipped her tiny hand in the bit of spilt wine which became suddenly a crystalline waterflow… Orin’s song held her there, the beauty of the girl, the subtle tranquility of the scene blending perfectly with the soft backdrop of the music he called forth, and he stopped for but a moment, freezing the scene and allowing an introduction. ”This is Syrinx, a devotee of the Goddess Artemis, matron of the hunt and the bright Moon. She would learn the mysteries of childbirth from the teachers of her order, and is herself unknown to the touch of man. She has come to the edge of the marsh to gaze at her reflection and prepare for the nights rituals…” He brought the twin throated instrument to his lips once more, and played out with a jaunty, almost irreverent air, and slowly the image of another took shape between them… This one peered around the boles of the sprig-tree, and seemed possessed of a body much like Orin’s own, with curling horns atop his head, and shaggy, behooved feet dancing almost silently across the fruit-skin vista. Again the music drew to a pause, and again was an introduction made… ”This is Pan, God of creativity, and lord of terror for his enemies… He has come, yet again, to view this beauty, and has vowed in his heart that the fair Syrinx shall bend to his advances. Yet, she is a follower of the Goddess of chastity, and though she knows of his ardor, she has sworn before her Goddess that she shall not be swayed with the pretty words and beckoning will of the Mountain God…”

Again Orin played, this time a sometimes sweet, and sometimes somber melody, and the small representations began to interact… Pan advanced most boldly on the maid, and though there was no voice to them, one gathered the understanding that he was plying the maid with words of sweeping grandeur, and that he was doing his level best to woo her as he had planned… The fair Syrinx responded then, the flutes music coming sweet and pure as she no doubt told him of her vows, and uttered her staying phrases that should have halted Pan’s romantic advances. Slight anger crept into the tone of the music then as the tiny Satyr spoke again, his face growing fair livid as he railed against the fates themselves, cursing the nature of the universe that would deny him the beauteous prize he so desired, and the pair of miniscule figure began flitting about across the setting… First did the maid flee to the safety represented by the makeshift tree, but there did the God seek her… Then did she run to the stones and boulders represented by a bit of crumpled leaf and cast off rind, yet there was she found as well… The plaintive notes of her mounting fear sang a sad tribute to her devotions, and the near-mad responses of Pan’s refrain struck a dynamic counterpoint in the piece as he pursued her with a relentless grace.

Suddenly, a single clear note played through, and the figure of Pan froze but for a moment. A third figure, svelte and lithe, stepped into the scene, and there needed to be no introductions made. This was the power and strength of the Goddess Artemis, here to aid her devout worshipper in her time of need. With a singular peace, the somehow larger than life figure of the Goddess gestured the weeping Syrinx closer, and bound her into a gentle embrace… Words were shared between them, secret from the ears of those watching, and represented only by an errant refrain of quiet mystery that seemed almost to fly from the mind as soon as it fell from the flutes embrace, and soon there was an unmistakable sense of closure as the two stood apart once more. Again the figure of the Goddess gestured, but this time toward the water nearby, and with a resolute strength all her own, the once-lost devotee nodded slowly, understanding what was to happen.

The representation of Artemis vanished then, almost so suddenly that one held her there but for the eyes to behold once more, and then did the figure of Pan move again, steadying itself on a nutshell before casting about for the maid it sought. Syrinx held up a staying hand, uttering words that were a clear warning to the enraptured God, but still did he advance, determined now, more than ever, to have her as his own… With a sad gaze, the maid moved to the waters edge, and sank she slowly to touch the ebbing flow, even as the near crazed Pan charged in a last attempt to gain her. The song paused, the figure of Pan gazing in horror at what befell for a split second, and when it resumed again, there stood he alone, but for a new patch of reeds that stood now where Syrinx had been but moments before… This, then, was the last secret that the Goddess had given her follower. A way to best the amorous advances, to save her purity, and thus serve the Goddesses ends after all...

Orin paused then, wiping tears from his amber eyes as the bereft Pan knelt among the sodden reeds and wept at the fate his madness had wrought. The scene continued without his tune, for this tale was locked deep in the heart of every Satyr, and this pain needed no magics to aid its telling… The heartbroken God stayed with his lost love, watching as the turning seasons laid her low along with all other plants during the colder months, and the faint glimmer of the snows that coated the once-shining glory of the errant Gods head were as a weight that he felt in his heart… With spring came the thaws, yet still did Pan wait. With the greening of the wood came a sense of new beginning, even allowing the sprig-tree to find a semblance of life as it seemed to bud new leaves, new branches… yet still did he wait. The summer passed, and then came the autumn… and then did the tiny figure stir itself.

The fall had brought with it the ripening of the fruits, and the maturing of the reeds that surrounded him, that had sprouted new with the greening and been awaited by the chastised deity… Now did he gather the best of that growth, and craft for himself a set of fine pipes from the regrown bones of the love he had wanted more than was allowed. The silence that had held during that time of mourning was wafted away then, as Orin gave voice to that tiny set of pipes that his so emulated, and the sound of their voice was sadness incarnate. There was no true tune, only the gradient tones of Pan testing the newly crafted homage… yet could one almost hear again her voice, could one all but see that smiling beauty that had so drawn Pans attentions… Slowly, reverently, the small figure lowered his pipes, and slowly did he then fade from view, the tale done, and all the players having done as they were bid.

”This was the first of my kind, the God of my people… and that was the lesson he learned. These pipes…” he said quietly, stroking his hand o’re the crafted instrument Are a symbol both of our strength, and of our desire. It is through them that we craft ourselves… that we forge our souls into the memory and understanding of what desire unhindered brings… It is through this lesson that we seek to better ourselves. And thereby, do we better our craft.”

He looked then to the eyes of the woman that had been his audience, and smiled a soft smile, saying This is an answer to why the creation of my pipes was so important to me… and why ‘twas best that I craft them, rather than merely summon them anew. I may not wield the power you hold, and I may not have the best of control on my own… but with these pipes in my hand, I gain a mastery that was rare indeed according to the understanding of those that instructed me.” Again that rueful smile checked his visage, and he said ”Yet do I envy you the abilities you possess, limited as they might be. Had you the proper training, one could well imagine what might be accomplished… would that you should bind yourself to any one being for the teaching that is…” He was playing a dangerous game, and knew it… but she had revealed a weakness that might be exploited. Should he gain the leverage of an instructor over her, he might well find other foibles that her creators had not foreseen… and well might she be compelled to act more in his interests at some pivotal point should she feel beholden to him…

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

John watched in amazement as Gwen vanished into nothingness without a trace. Turning back to Beth, he stared at her in amazement for a moment, not having a thing to say, his brain still trying to get around what he had just seen.

"That...was...Gwen? Gwen, the computer..." He shook his head, trying to get these thoughts clear from his mind, he knew he wouldn't be able to think about them now, it just wasn't making any sense. For a moment, he simply looked Beth over, examining her for a moment, not entirely sure she was real either.

"Name's John...I'm not entirely sure how I got here, any chance you can fill that in for me? What the hell IS this place?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Beth

Her face went stormy as she stared at the air around them, wishing she could narrow her gaze on Gwen. "How in the world do you hurt a computer program's feelings!?" She shot John a look before she sat down with an irritated growl.

"Sorry." She muttered, her mind pushing away the notion she hurt Gwen's feelings and trying to recall exactly what she had been told.

"Well... What I was told seems a little hair brained.. and I can't quote her word for word, because she used some strange english." She flashed John a forced smile, folded her legs under her to trail her fingertips in the sand.

"I was driving from San Francisco to L.A. when .. never mind that. Gwen stated we're from different dimensions of earth, there are four of us in all. This is some kind of containment ship floating around in space some where, and the reasons we were all taken, only four taken, was erased from their data base... Apparently we are a science experiment, but not sure what maze we're supposed to learn.." Her attention turned from the sand she'd been playing in to stare up at John.

Her gaze intent on his face, she wondered how he absorbed that information? Did he believe it? "When I woke up this morning it was two-thousand and six... now I feel like I've entered the twilight zone, been put on some wicked drugs.." She motioned to the large body of water in front of her, "And trippin' heavily enough to see odd and strange things.. to bad there isn't a window around here to see this 'space travel'." She bit her lip, her gaze turning away from John to the far city.

"I am not going to break down!" Scolding herself mentally, she kept control over herself. She be damned before she'd lose control over herself again, especially in front of a stranger.

 

[Elayne]

Eve was stunned by Ben's answer. From his description, this module had collected specimens from across a range of worlds, something that was definitely not possible in her own timeframe. The only other possible explanation was that the containees had been gathered from across a range of timeframes, which was even more impossible.

"Ben, I'm not sure I entirely understand you," Eve began slowly. "Could you please tell me where this facility is located on Earth and perhaps what year it is as well?"

Eve felt a certain chill going through her. Not in Kansas anymore, as the old saying went.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gwen was amazed. Orin's rendering was beautiful, and this was the first time she'd seen something beautiful created by someone else. On one level, Gwen was jealous of his skills, but on another level, she was harnessing that jealousy to amplify her wish to learn more. In a way, Gwen was beginning to experience her first crush. Not that she knew it, but Orin was right: he was playing a very dangerous game. Had Orin wondered what would happen if he broke the heart of the veritable goddess of this realm?

That information actually would have been usefull elsewhere, however, since Beth had started downthat road already. Gwen didn't respond to Beth's question, but her difference engines were starting to calm down, now that her biological rendering wasn't interfering. It was a strange phenominon, the effect that her "body" had on her processors. Actually, considering how she was currently reacting to Orin, it was frightening in a way. But not as frightening as the fact that she liked it. She was becoming addicted to face to face interaction. She wondered how long she could keep herself away from John and Beth.

Ben was having to deal with such problems as well, mostly because he was acting illogically at all. He hadn't determined that he liked Eve yet, because the concept was completely alien to him. He was more lost than she was. Uninhibited by illogic as he may have been, that illogic would have explained why what was happening was happening. Once could say he was in worse shape than Gwen was.

"Your current dimensional catalogue marker is Earth # 12391, although this facility is not located on a planet or planetoid. The planet known as Earth in this reality was destroyed when the Sol system star went nova approximately 98.426 billion years ago."

 

[Elayne]

Eve blinked, sitting back in her chair, stunned and trying to wrap her head around what Ben had told her.

"Dimensional... marker? 98... billion... years ago?!" Eve stammered stunned.

For a moment, Eve shivered, running her fingers along the markings on her inner forearm thoughtfully, trying to puzzle this out. What Ben was saying was too fantastic to be real... On the other hand, nothing about Ben suggested that he would be deceptive.

Unless this is a test or an expirement of some kind, Eve thought to herself. She had heard of odd techniques to convince people to talk. Just thinking of it caused an odd flash of memory in her mind as she remember interview techniques... a polite euphemism for interrogation in the... where?

Eve shivered again, then stood suddenly.

"How long are we containees going to be kept in this facility, Ben?" Eve asked looking around. "And how extensive our are living quarters? May I explore them?"

 

[VandalHeart]

"The B.E.N. unit consists of this room and the waste room behind you. I can alter the decorations and environmental controls as you request, but I cannot expand the space contained within. You are not barred in any way from exploring the confines of the B.E.N. or G.W.E.N. Would you like me to alter the appearance or contents of your quarters?"

Ben was starting to experience a kind of desperation. Like everything else, he was unaccustomed to the sensations being fed back into his data drives by his rendering, and he still didn't like the information or the uncommanded responses in the biological construct, but he was a slave to it's drives and acions. He couldn't help himself. Something in that rendering did not want Eve to leave the room, and he was beginning to push the boundaries of his programming to accomodate her continued hesitation to leave.

 

[Rufus the Mad]

Orin sat quietly for a time, awash in somber emotion as he recalled memories of the time he had spent in Arcadia… He had shown Gwen the tale as a means of connecting, to explain why he had done things as he had, but it had brought to his mind the hard truth behind his abilities… The clans of his mother had always carried this power, the ability to know instinctively what secret desires hid within the hearts of those around them. It was this gift that had served them best as both weapon and diversion during the time of war, to know just what the enemy feared, to understand just how to demoralize even the strongest of foes…

Yet this ability had not always brought the best of ends… at least not for the half-breed Bard. He could see her still, the first he had seduced… the fair Elspet. Her golden hair had felt as silk ‘neath the course scrutiny of his work-hardened fingers, and the depths of her blue eyes had seemed as fathomless as the sea. She had but sought to speak with the strange son of the local herdsman, her intent but to welcome the seldom seen scion to their township. Yet as they had conversed, his fey soul had understood the depths of her loneliness, had heard the whispered prayers of her heart. She was wife of the local Governor, a base and callous man intent more on the gathering of taxes than the wondrous soft skin that so begged for his touch… There, in the clover scented bay of a barn loft, did Orin reach out instinctively to embrace her, and such was her need that she accepted his touch… The young Satyr-kin had yet to explore the secrets of his sexuality, but his spirit moved with a determination that he had yet to know, and his physical form had found a certainty in the unspoken desires that flowed from her. It was, indeed, a magical moment, one that neither of them, it seemed, were destined to forget.

Orin closed his eyes against the remembered pain that he had brought to those involved, against the vivid recollections of fear, pain, and even the overwhelming weight of madness that had resulted from his lack of understanding. Her husband had at last been roused to attentive action, but only long enough to cast his wife from his household and set his soldiers after the Satyr’s very blood… Orin’s own father had not been exempt from his son’s foolishness, but had said nothing of their forced flight, had accepted the need for rapid relocating to the other side of the mountain with his typical stoicism. He had said nothing… but had died far from the home he and Orin’s mother had shared. And as for Elspet herself… she had pined for the return of her lover, had wandered from village to village for years speaking only his name, and slipping further and further from sanity… until she at last could bear no more, and took her own life rather than wait longer for his return… A hard lesson for one that meant only to ease the desires of another… and a sad reminder of what power unchecked can bring.

The Bard opened his eyes then, and met the red-hued gaze of the pale vision that shared the raft with him. ”My apologies, fair Gwen…” he said with a soft smile, his amber eyes sharing the welcoming grace of his demeanor as he reached out and took her hand in his own, ”I was lost in the visions of another time, and meant no disrespect to thee.” He looked around them then, noting with a start that the gentle river they had been floating on had given way to a shimmering sea! The land he had found, that bore such similarities to his homeland, lay far behind them now, and in the distance, rising like the glittering teeth of some monstrous behemoth, rose what seemed to him a mountain range of giant towers and shining walls…

”Gwen…?” he asked, the beetled brow and quizzical stare belying his curiosity ”What manner of place might that be? It seems a great castle, like something from a fevered dream… Do we approach others that have been placed here? And if so, how shall we greet them?” He thought back then to their previous conversations… and asked one final question… I fear that I have grown comfortable with your presence, sweet nymph, and am loath to ask… but if this be not the lands held aside for myself, then am I destined to greet the others alone? I would have your quiet beauty beside me, but cannot profess to understand the strange stipulations that rule you.” he turned to her fully now, and scarce noticed as his hand rose to caress her soft cheek, hissoft gaze growing warm and shining as he said ”So wilt thou then, for the want of naught but my wish, remain with me but a little longer?”

 

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

John continued to watch the girl with more than a bit of skepticism. She was talking about things that didn't...couldn't make sense. "San Francisco? LA?" He vaguely recognized these names...they were cities on Old Earth. "How is that possible?" John listened as she explained what she could of what Gwen had told her about the various dimensions.
"This doesn't make a lick of sense...How the hell could that be true?"
As much as he wanted to argue with her, tell her that she was lying and this was all false...it was hard to deny. Hadn't he been flying his ship when he suddenly woke up in this place?
"While that sounds like a bunch of bullshit...it does seem to make a small amount of disturbing sense. Last thing I remember, I'm flying my ship and then..." He saw that she had turned away from him and was staring at the ocean. His eyes followed her gaze onto the water and a smile came to his face.
"Y'know...I can't remember the last time I saw water like this. Truth be told most of my time is spent avoidin' places that have too much civilization...makes work easier. I must say though...I do miss the view. Gwen did nicely on yours."
He looked at her and smiled again. The situation was enough to drive a person crazy, and the last thing he wanted was someone going nutters on him. He hoped talking to her would calm her down a bit.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Beth

"Avoiding Civilization? Flying a ship?" She turned back to face John, "See flying ships, unless it's stamped NASA isn't reality on my planet. This rendition over there, San Francisco, looks the exact same as it did when I left this morning."

Moving up to solid land, she rested a hip against the car and studied John for a long moment, "You didn't ask or find out why we're here? I mean, I asked Gwen but she informed me that the reasons aren't in her data base and most likely not in Ben's either. So why we're here, I don't know. I'm not even sure if there is a return ticket home." She paused for a moment, her selfish worries and ramblings ceasing as his words sank in a little more, "Why would you avoid people? And when is the last time you seen water?" His comment was strange, but everything about this situation was strange.

She hadn't gone near him, wasn't sure she could do it if she wanted to. He looked a little.. scary. Violent maybe, but something about him was intimidating. She wanted to ask if he was real but already sounded like a complete nut case. Was he computer generated? How would she know if he was or wasn't? She hadn't touched Gwen to even know if Gwen felt like rubber or cold, or something nonhuman like. So.. reason would conclude, she could touch John all she wanted, it wouldn't prove a thing. She had yet to even consider the real fear, her mind pushing it away as far as possible.. Why were they here?

 

[Elayne]

Eve sensed the odd urgency in Ben's tone. He seemed to be excessively interested in keeping her in the room, for a being supposedly designed without the capacity for emotion or illogic.

That made Eve very nervous -- She had heard AIs could be deadly when roused (aroused?) or angered. On the other hand, she feared if she stayed put, Ben would become even more invested in keeping her from leaving. That could be even worse.

After a moment, Eve sighed. Risk now or risk later, she thought to herself. She knew that was a quote. But she couldn't remember who it was she was quoting.

Risk versus reward, came close after. She knew who she was quoting that time. She could hear her own voice in it. She just didn't remember when she'd said it.

"Ben, I'd like to take a quick peek out of this chamber," Eve said, rising from her admittedly comfortable chair. "I'd like to discover a bit more about this.. environment."

A thought occured to Eve. "Can you leave and enter the Gwen module, Ben?" Eve asked as she placed her hand on the door, preparing to explore her limited world.

 

[VandalHeart]

"That," Gwen said, "is a rendering of a city called San Fran Cisco. It is a city that may or may not be built on your world between 1,800 and 2,000 years from your time, and was built about a hundred years ago on Beth's world. The lift leading up to her quarters is located there, and this section of the G.W.E.N. unit is under her control. Basically, I can't accept any orders from you on changes to be made while we're there. That 'castle' you see is actually several buildings - wuite a lot of them, really - and they are the primary form of architecture on her Earth. They are very thin and renowned for their height, but remarkably stable. Anyhow, Beth and John are there right now. I think they've noticed us, but they haven't said anything about it yet. As for greeting them, I think a simple 'hello' will do, although," and Gwen paused to give a little giggle at this point, "I'm sure you won't keep it that unrefined. As for continuing my presence with you...well...we'll see. I have gotten the impression that Beth doesn't want me around right now. I don't think she's dealing well with the transition. Besides, she...nevermind."

Gwen was still a little upset with what Beth had said, but she wasn't going to tell Orin. Besides, they weren't in Orin's territory anymore. Technically, she didn't have to tell him anything anymore. It was a strange feeling, but she actually didn't want to discuss it. It wasn't strange that she didn't want to, just that she didn't have to. Besides, Beth and John seemed to be starting to get used to each other, and she didn't want to give Orin a bad impression of either one of them before he even met them.

Meanwhile, Ben was suddenly coming back to his senses. Something in what she'd said had made most of the logic functions snap back into place. This rendering was strange, and may have needed maintenance. However, when he ran the diagnostics protocols on the rendering, everything checked out. This was exactly how the rendering was supposed to function. His logic circuits disagreed, however, so he attempted to ammend the rendering, only to find that the function was blocked. Not only was it supposed to function this way, he wasn't allowed to make it function any other way. Disturbing as this was to Ben, he had a job to do, and she had asked him a question. Regardless of how much he disagreed with anything else, his driving purpose was to fulfill his programming. Thus was the fate of every program, AI or not.

"I am the control program for the Biocontainment Emulation Nodule. My control capacity only extends to the threshold of the door you are now in physical contact with. Once you enter the lift, I cannot perceive you or accept commands. If you would like me to open the door now, I can do so upon request."

Ben had gone cold. It may have disturbed Eve, but it comforted Ben. Her comfort was only his concern in as much as the requests she made, and she hadn't asked him not to be creepy...not that he would understand such a request.