SunfallE

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]All right! Thanks to the mighty Des the PM?s are working again. :catgirl: So I have now sent everyone their objectives. I realize that they are on the short side since I had to modify them based on how the last round played out. But I promise that the next round will have a lot more going on. Including an unexpected twist that?s sure to be fun. ;) [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][quote name='Sakura][COLOR=Navy]And sorry if it kinda seems I'm over ruling you Beth. I don't mean it in that way at all.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]Not at all, Sandy specifically said anyone could post the answer and I'm glad you did since I wasn't able to get back online until now. At least I was able to help by finding part of the answers. :catgirl: [QUOTE=Sakura][COLOR=Navy']Talking about the challenge, I'm just glad I could do it for the team. For once I was glad for timezones because it was posted at 4:06pm, giving me the entire evening/night to work on it. While a lot of others would be away doing daily things, I have holidays with pretty much nothing to do, so as tiring as it was it was fun because it took up time. I'm happy we won, but sorry again since it seems like I made all the decisions on my own. Though it does seem my reasons for posting are worthy because A_M posted only about an hour after me.[/COLOR][/quote]The time zone was a killer for me since it was posted around midnight and when I checked online and saw it I stayed up until three am to at least get part of it done since I knew I wouldn't be back online till this evening. As for the choice of a new team member, both of the ones you've suggested sound good. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][quote name='Sakura][COLOR=Navy']Currently I'm working from the front inwards (1-24). It's up to you guys to choose a batch of 24 pages and to work from there.[/COLOR][/quote]Good work. ;) And since you started at the begining I started at the very end. I've gone through pages 70 -96 Though I only found two and that includes the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=3590]Otaku War [/URL] that you already listed. The other one I found was: [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=8162]Brutality(IT SHALL LIVE AGAIN!!!!!) [/URL] So depending on how far you got that leaves pages 25-69 to be checked. And the letters so far are... [B]G O R B[/B] I'll be back online later today to help out some more. :catgirl: [SIZE=3][B]Titans Go![/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]I've started the next phase of the story. This one is going to be on the short side and only require a few actions on everyone's part. However, OB seems to be having an issue with the PM system at the moment so I am unable to send anyone their objectives. If it is not fixed by tomorrow I will come back and edit this post with everyone's task this time around. Sorry for the delay. :animesigh [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1][CENTER][IMG]http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3821/silveronebanner001fj1.jpg[/IMG] Banner by [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/member.php?userid=20994][COLOR=RoyalBlue][U][B]indifference[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL] [/CENTER][/SIZE] Gathered in a special session with the High Council a holographic representation of the person on board the Conqueror their face still hidden by the green cloak they wore clearly visible in the center of the room, the figure spoke. ?[B]I trust you have read the reports?[/B]? ?[B]We have,[/B]? Sandra?s father responded. ?[B]The report from the Elite Specialist confirms that the first wave of targets have been eliminated. It seems we overestimated Earth?s capabilities as they are ahead of schedule.[/B]? The figure laughed, ?[B]Earth is not the problem, it is the actions of the resistance there that is. Have you also reviewed Jared?s report??[/B] ?[B]The one regarding Sara? We have. It is exactly as you predicted. She had been modified like her brother and the human Celestia was. It seems the resistance has also figured out how to not only track the transportation doors but to make them move as well, enabling both Kim and Sara to escape.[/B]? ?[B]Exactly,[/B]? the figure responded. ?[B]I am positive that this development is due to both Jason and Celestia, the manner in how they keep improving on our technology is garnering quite a bit of respect for the lesser races. By modifying the other races they are also putting them on more of an equal footing physically as well as mentally in that they will believe they can fight.[/B]? ?[B]We know this already. What is it that you hope to accomplish with this meeting?[/B]? The member of the High Council asked. The figure bowed before responding. ?[B]My apologies, I will get to the point. I wish to advance the time schedule by three weeks.[/B]? ?[B]Three weeks? What of your preparations?[/B]? ?[B]Commander Crystal has already obtained enough specimens that the three lines of research have begun, and yesterday among the confusion caused by the Elite Specialist destroying military facilities and Jared?s team destroying eight of the major transportation facilities world wide, Crystal obtained enough specimens to begin two more waves of research once they arrive at the lab.[/B]? Sandra's father raised his eyebrow at that before responding. ?[B]So that is why you requested the increase in supplies and moved the other flagship the Creator along with the rest of the fleet currently under your command to the border between sector thirteen and fourteen.[/B]? ?[B]Correct. I intend to have the Elite Specialist address the remaining military presence on Earth?s oceans. We left them alone at Darren?s request as the disruption of the military and the shipping on their seas would result in starvation and could have potentially caused riots that would have caused untold collateral damage. But with the arrival of the fleet in a week, in four days, after the Catalyst has finished checking for the remaining ground and military presence I would have them move to finish the military on the sea. The ships are powered using nuclear power, but unlike the weapons, direct hits from the Catalyst would leave very little in the way of contamination. At this point there would be no need for them to hide who they are and such a mission could easily be undertaken from space.[/B]? One of the high council members interrupted the figure, ?[B]If that is the case then why keep the specialist there? The Crimson or the Tempest could easily handle such a task.[/B]? ?[B]True, but in case you?ve forgotten, the specialist found information indicating that the resistance not only had grade B sensor equipment, but three facilities that they have built as well. They are hidden well enough that even the Catalyst has been unable to locate them with their superior equipment. Jared has also confirmed that former Sub-Commander Kim, Jason and his sister Sara are still on Earth. It was my intention to keep them around to locate and eventually destroy the resistance bases as well as track down the wanted criminals. Kiva is far more skilled at finding things that are hidden, remember, in less than twenty four hours of her arrival she not only found the sensor equipment but managed to hack into the resistance?s network without them even knowing. This enabled her to not only destroy the military bases but eliminate a good number of resistance members as well.[/B]? The figure waited patiently while the High Council members paused to talk among themselves. A few minutes later they turned back to give the figure their answer. ?[B]Very well then, your request to advance the schedule is approved and the appropriate orders will be issued.[/B]? The figure bowed and waited for the transmission to end. Once it had they turned and headed back to the workstation in the observation room on the Conqueror . In just one week it would begin. The figure smiled to themselves, it was going even better than they had expected. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][quote name='Takuya']All right, my objective's complete. Now what, SunfallE? Should I just wait until you start the next part, or is there something you want me to do in the meantime?[/quote]The next part is going to start as soon as Crystia writes up her part of the conflict between Jared, Darren and Sara. She's assured me that her post will be the last one and that she will be posting it today. And at that point I will be moving us to Phase Two, which will include new objectives for everyone. ^_^ I've already written up the post and once I see Crystia's post and make any necessary adjustments I will be putting mine up. In addition to sending everyone the information they need. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Jason couldn?t help but worry, when Daniel had confirmed that over eight transportations had been done near major ground and air shipping around the world, he had immediately sent teams to the area to attempt to thwart the Crimson. He couldn?t be sure they were actually going to do something, but he had told Jason earlier, that they couldn?t take the chance that it was just a random transport. Kim and Sara had already left to check out the Dallas Texas airport and he just hoped that Kim would keep her word and keep Sara out of harms way. Jason closed the project he was working on, too keyed up to concentrate. ?[B]Don?t let it bother you Jason.[/B]? He turned to face Celestia who had also closed her project. ?[B]I know, it?s not like she doesn?t have the right to help.[/B]? He faltered, unsure how to voice his concern. ?[B]I understand that you are worried, but we need to concentrate on what we can do minimize any risks to her and any other team out there.[/B]? ?[B]Exactly,[/B]? Daniel added as he joined the conversation, waiting until both of them had turned to face him before continuing. ?[B]The best thing both of you can do is focus on narrowing down the radius for the transport as it will give them an edge if they know where person who transported down is.[/B]? ?[B]I don?t understand Daniel, how is it that we can detect the equipment for transporting and not the actual door?[/B]? Jason asked. ?[B]To put it simply, you are only tracing the equipment and not the actual door. By shifting frequencies it makes it harder for someone to pinpoint where our equipment is. The Crimson has no need to hide their location and if they did, they have stealth equipment that is well suited to the task, and even then the ship can simply move. But the doors tap into a different type of space in the same way that hyperspace does. Getting the door to open where we want it to has never been a problem. We?ve never worried about tracking the disturbance either since it stays within that realm. Which is what makes it so hard to track, you have a very slim window of when the door is actually open and even then so little of the disturbance even crosses into normal space.[/B]? ?[B]I see, so basically the reaction is contained and what you pick up is the equipment on the Crimson and not the actual door.[/B]? Jason replied. ?[B]Exactly, and when you use the door in the same area so many times, that slight disturbance becomes more noticeable, like an echo, only now we can see if an echo exists so long as it?s caught in the same moment the transportation occurred. Something that until you and Crystia modified the programming to the sensors was not possible. We've never had a need to track the actual door.[/B]? ?[B]All right, I understand,[/B]? Jason, said with a sigh. ?[B]I?ll keep working on refining the process then.[/B]? Celestia reached over gently touched Jason?s left shoulder, smiling at him when he turned to look at her. ?[B]Lets do our best.[/B]? She said softly. Jason nodded and then reopened the project to continue where he had left off. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]My life as one would say it has been both good and bad. With each phase having effects on who I am and what I?ve become. I started out fairly well and I have good happy memories of my first couple of years in school. I wasn?t super smart, but I wasn?t dumb either. I enjoy learning and playing with my friends was a blast. Then right before I turned eight, it took a darker turn. One of our neighbor?s teenage sons was every parent?s worst nightmare. At that age I had no idea I was being stalked and when I was caught unaware and raped by him my world was shattered. Even more so when my own mother did not believe me, I did not understand that she had her own issues and that her and my dad were not getting along. I became the school bully at this point. I couldn?t stop him from hurting me other than to avoid him as much as possible. I took all my frustration out on other kids even ones that had done nothing to me at all. I quickly earned a reputation as a troublemaker and on some level I didn?t care. This vicious cycle continued for four years until my parents got divorced. I was horribly unhappy especially when I turned eleven since at that time the kid who had assaulted me the first time now had buddies who would help him gang up on me or any other girl they had targeted and would gang rape us at every chance. Before I could avoid him for most of the time, but four of them? One tiny little scrawny girl didn?t stand a chance. At this point I planned on running away, I even had my things packed and I was only going to wait for the weather to change so I could flee to the southern states where it was warm. No one believed me and I wasn?t going to stick around since every time I got caught the boys kept getting meaner, I was sure that the next time I would end up dead. The only thing that kept me from leaving was my mom announcing that she was divorcing my dad and moving to Dallas Texas. So I stayed. All I had to do was survive until we left as there was no way any of them could get me down there. But as anyone who?s had his or her parents break up can tell you, it?s no picnic. We moved to Texas and I hated it because I lost the few friends I did have. I was one of three LDS/Mormons in the entire school and they teased me to no end over it. Though I could handle being teased far easier. And when my mom eventually moved back to Utah it wasn?t to the same neighborhood I grew up in so I never saw those boys again. But then even though things seemed to get better, they didn?t stay that way for long. My mom had deep bitter issues towards my father and if we didn?t hate him as much as she did she was verbally cruel. I?ve lost count of the times she pulled out her scriptures to prove how I was an evil child for my behavior as a kid and for not supporting her in her insane hatred of my father. This battle continued even after I moved out and was attending college. She would call me up for no reason to scream at me over how everything was my fault. She even had my younger siblings calling me telling me how it was all my fault. For those of you who know me here, at this point you might remember the thread I started about suicide. At this point I wanted to die. I was sick and tired of hurting. I was lucky; a good friend saw that took me to get help. It was like the difference between night and day. I had already spent fifteen years having everything go wrong, now everything was going right. From the first move by the shrink in the hospital to call my mother and inform her that she was to never contact me again to my getting help to deal with all that had happened, at that point there was no turning back. It was hard to deal with what had happened, but it many respects it was over. I finished college and began working, I made lots of new friends as I gained my self-confidence back and began to believe in myself. I?ve now spent the last ten years moving on. I?ve accomplished so many things that when I was younger I thought would never happen. It makes me feel as if my life during that time was simply a nightmare that I?ve since woken up from. People never guess my age right they always think I?m younger and I contribute that to the fact that I feel like the last ten years was my teenage years. As if I got off to a late start. It?s made me an optimist in that I think so many things are possible no matter what happens. However it has also made me cynical as I see the possible trap in others actions all to easy, even when there isn?t one. I?ve still had bad things happen, [not anywhere as drastic] but since that fateful day when a true friend reached out, I have the courage to face what happens and make the most of it. And such painful memories no longer hurt or haunt me. Definately a good thing.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][quote name='Rachmaninoff']I can see that my remaining 100 otakubucks would be well spent on Desbreko to take first. That picture is sure to win.[/quote]I agree, I too shall put my remaining 100 otakubucks on Des for first place. ;)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Actually since I did not want us to lose by default I went ahead and edited my post in the main thread with the finished one White sent us. That way if KW didn't get theirs done in time we wouldn't lose by accident. ^_~ I'll be checking back later this evening to see if they have finished theirs and at that point I can simply edit the post again to reflect the change if we decide to go with the other one.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Just a quick update on our progress, first of all, excellent work everyone. ;) We are getting close to the next main event and since Mariskah, indifference & Darren have told me that they are working on a part where their characters meet, I?ll be holding off until that has been done. What they have in mind sounds like fun so I?m looking forward to reading it. ^_~ So if my post did not set that up correctly, let me know and I?ll fix it for you guys. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Jason put his shirt back on now that the doctor had finished scanning his right side where Sara had hit him too hard. He sighed. He was sure part of it was due to her adjusting to her newfound strength, but as her brother he could see that she was being a bit obsessive over what had happened between him and Jared. [I]God she can be overprotective at times. [/I] At least he would heal quickly, in less than forty-eight hours the broken ribs would be completely healed. Though until then the doctor had given him some pain suppressants and a strict order to avoid any training for the next three days. Not that he cared. His interest in training was only to be able to protect himself from the main population. He already knew he would never match someone like Jared or anyone with real training for that matter. Sara was different though, fighting was what she did, she had trained since she was little and before he had been kidnapped, she taught classes and competed in martial arts competitions. Now if he could just convince her that he didn?t need to train like she did. Since he had been working with Celestia and Kim his programming skills far outstripped anyone on Earth. In fact before the spar earlier today, he and Celestia had managed to tweak the sensors to be more specific in determining where the transportation doors opened. Now they could at least pinpoint that it was in a certain radius where before, unless more than one transport to the same area was done, they could not do so. Jason picked up the chip the doctor had given him to give to Sara. It didn?t take long to find her since she was just outside the infirmary talking with Kim. Both of them turned to face him when he came out. ?[B]How are you feeling Jason?[/B]? Both of them asked at the same time. ?[B]I?m fine, with the pain suppressants I can?t even tell I?m hurt.[/B]? Sara was looking down at the floor, Jason could tell that she was feeling guilty, after all the doctor had to chase her out of the infirmary since she kept saying I?m sorry, over and over and was getting in the way. ?[B]Here,[/B]? he said as he handed the chip to Sara, ?[B]the doctor said you wanted this.[/B]? ?[B]Oh! Already?[/B]? And in a lightening quick change of mood, something Jason was well acquainted with she grabbed the chip and took off to read it. Pausing to look back and say, ?[B]I?m glad you?re okay.[/B]? She smiled at both of them and left. ?[B]Kim, can I ask you something?[/B]? ?[B]What do you want to know?[/B]? ?[B]I?m concerned about Sara, she?s focusing on Jared so much that I?m worried she?s obsessing about killing him for what he?s done.[/B]? ?[B]I know, don?t worry Jason, she?s be working with me and I?ll be sure to keep an eye on her.[/B]? Kim replied with a kind smile. Jason sighed, ?[B]I just wish she hadn?t insisted on going with you and the others when you check out transportation areas any time a scan is detected in that area. She doesn?t want to admit it, but she?s not ready for that, at least not until she?s adjusted to the change more.[/B]? ?[B]Trust me Jason, I understand your concern. She will be going with me, but she will be covering the lighter areas instead of the deeper ones where explosives would actually be placed. I haven?t told her this since even though there will be nothing for her to find, it will be good practice and keep her out of harms way.[/B]? ?[B]I see, thank you Kim, I appreciate it. And I?ll definitely be sure to [I]not[/I] tell her you said that.[/B]?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Still in the same observation room of the Conqueror that overlooked the planet they were still orbiting around, the figure was this time seated at an elaborate workstation, going over some information that was up on the holographic screens. They paused at the sound of an incoming call and then moved to answer it. ?[B]What is it?[/B]? ?[B]A message has come for you from the Crimson.[/B]? ?[B]Patch it through.[/B]? A moment later they had it pulled up on their screen and opened it to first listen to the brief message from Sub-Commander Jared. Then they opened up the reports that were attached to it. They skimmed through it, unconcerned by the knowledge that grade B sensor equipment had been found. Along with the information indicating that three facilities had been built by the resistance. They had told the High Council this would happen; the report only confirmed their initial reasoning for advancing Phase One. One did not obtain and keep power if they were too foolish to recognize when it was about to slip from their grasp. The figure pulled up the next report that had been sent. This time it was the one by Commander Crystal. It took a moment to register that she had already obtained enough specimens to begin all three phases of the research. [I]Interesting.[/I] They thought. [I]I?ll need to make adjustments for that.[/I] There was no need to bother the bridge crew for what they needed to do next. A short command entered into the computer secured the door to the observation room and another sent out a priority one request to the High Council. In less than a minute a member responded. ?[B]What is it?[/B]? ?[B]I need you to send the necessary equipment to begin all three lines of research immediately.[/B]? The figure stated. ?[B]All three? You don?t even have the specimens yet.[/B]? The member of the High Council retorted. ?[B]You of all people should know why I insisted that Crystal be given Command of a battleship instead of a medical ship. She has already obtained more than enough specimens to begin all three lines. The ship bringing them here will be leaving Earth tomorrow.[/B]? ?[B]I see, very well, I will have the equipment sent immediately.[/B]? ?[B]Good and while you are at it, increase the supplies and other equipment by ten percent.[/B]? ?[B]Ten percent! Why so much?[/B]? The council member asked. ?[B]It?s in the report I will be sending you, the details will all be there. Once you?ve read it I?m sure the rest of the Council will agree.[/B]? The figure replied. ?[B]I?m sure they will,[/B]? the member said, irony lacing their words. ?[B]Thank you for your quick response my lord.[/B]? They said, waiting patiently for the member of the High Council to end the transmission. Once they had done so they turned off the workstation and walked over to take yet another look at the planet below. All the pieces were falling into place. Soon it would be time for Phase Two. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][QUOTE=Adahn]Now that I've got your attention, I will do my best to make this thread live up to its title. There you are, probably sitting in a chair in front of a computer screen, and you're being asked [i]why[/i]. You're probably wondering to yourself right now why I made the preceding statement. The reason, of course, is that what you see here is leading up to a question, and this little introduction is a part of the process of being asked this particular question. That first sentence, then, is valid so long as I [i]do[/i] type the words you have been led to believe will appear. Unfortunately, I will not do this. You and I both know the question, even though it has [i]technically[/i] not been asked.[/QUOTE]Actually I do not know the question you are going to ask, it could be anything from what do you think is an interesting topic to what do you like about OB. In this respect I would have to say you are going on the false premises that we can somehow either read your mind or perceive what your original intention was. The replies in this thread indicate that people did not know what your question is and realistically, how could they? [quote name='Adahn][size=2]I am here because I like to write, and I like for others to see what I write. I enjoy being nonsensical, spiritual, argumentative, and persuasive. Ultimately, I want to be an effective enough writer to make each and every one of you like myself. It will be difficult without a physical form, but I will do my utmost to bend your personalities until they are of a shape with my own.[/size][/QUOTE]Right now, other than the nonsensical and argumentative part, you have not succeeded in the spirituals or persuasive part from my point of view. You have created the beginning of a discussion but you have not followed up as the very beginning failed to give people a direction to take with the conversation. If you are going to bend someone?s personalities (something I do not think you can actually do) you would first need to give them a direction to take, unless being confusing is the direction you have chosen to start with. In that case you have succeeded. [QUOTE=Adahn][size=2]I like to make up crap and see if people will believe me. I speak the truth in such a way that you will [i]not[/i] believe me. Truth and knowledge are [i]mine[/i'], and any effort I make to share is a poisoned one. This is my place to be selfish, uncaring, and unendurable, without any fear of real consequences. Here I am immortal, untouchable, and the only beauty perceivable is that which I craft with my hands. Here, you live through my work, and I through yours. This is the only art with which I am competent.[/size][/quote]I like to remind people that for the purpose of discussion it is a must to be clear on what your intended topic is. [INDENT][B]When creating a thread please take into consideration that your title should have relevance to the thread?s topic.[/B] [B]Also, a thread?s main topic of discussion should be something that can spark an intelligent discussion of some form, and avoid spam.[/B][/INDENT] I can understand if you wish to make your topics more interesting, however, we still expect a certain amount of clarity so that it avoids the type of confusion I?ve been seeing in this thread so far Adahn. The question has been clarified so the thread will stay open, but next time I expect you to be clearer on your choice of topic. Like the Christianity and Gay Marriage thread, the topic made it clear as to what the discussion would be about. [quote name='Adahn][size=2]Why must you ask questions so difficult to answer? Yes, it would have been easier to ask "Why are you on OB?", but it would have been much less [i]interesting.[/i] How kind of you to point out that I'm trying to [i]impress[/i] people. I do so like to be called [i]fancy[/i']. I can hardly contain my joy at receiving compliments from one so distinguished as yourself. I sincerely apologize for confusing you, and I regret that you choose not to answer my question, like Retribution and Lunox.[/size][/quote]Less confusing is a better term Adahn and I will be changing the title of the thread to match the real intent. If people wish to continue with that topic feel free, but continuing the pointless snipping going on here will result in it being closed.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]White, that flag looks awesome. ^_^ Time to answer the new questions. [B]If you have one, what is your favorite video game?[/B] I have to choose? ;_ ; If that?s the case then it would have to be The Legend of Zelda. I positively love that series. And the latest release of Twilight Princess has just made that love even stronger. [B] Do you have a favorite manga artist? If so, why? [/B] My favorite is Kaimu Tachibana for their gorgeous artwork in the series Rasen no Kakera/Pieces of a Spiral. Just take a look: [URL=http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/514/0902le.jpg]Click![/URL] [B] If you could pick any job in the world, which one would you do?[/B] If I could do what I wanted, there?s an art project I?ve had in mind for a while. Not that I would actually do, but in relation to what other great artists have done. [B] Lays Chips: Can you eat just one?[/B] Yup. I?ve never been a big fan of potato chips, I rarely eat them. [B] Can you do anything freaky?[/B] I have a very good evil laugh. [B] Let?s see?. What?s your favorite type of show and why?[/B] For myself, I love science fiction. Especially shows like Dr Who. I?d love to be able to either travel in time or in space. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]I?ve updated the main thread with our progress so far and seeing that no two teams can have the same color and that The Laugh Out Louds have taken Green I have taken the other color we were considering and reserved it. So our team color is Blue. ^_~ So I hope you weren?t done yet White seeing that you?ll need to work with Blue instead of Green. As for the team name, I?m inclined to go with the Titans. It just seems more simple and yet powerful. [B]What?s your favorite color and why?[/B] I don?t really have a favorite color, but I do have a preference, whether it?s a blue, green, red, brown or purple, I tend to favor warm shades of those colors. Anything that has a more earthy feel to how it blends together is what I like. [B]What?s your favorite real animal and why?[/B] Definitely dogs. I grew up with dogs as a kid, and other than the time when I was working as a truck driver, I?ve never had a time where there wasn?t some dog in my life, whether it?s my own or someone else?s pet. [B]What?s your Favorite hobby and why?[/B] Mine would have to be scrap booking. Between vacations to Yellowstone National Park to all the time I spent driving in the west part of the US, I have so many memories of places that I?ve been and I love taking the time to capture those moments. After that would come my other hobbies such as anime, video games and reading. I'll be sure to edit in some questions once I think of some. [/COLOR]

[center][img]http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1602/teamflag2copy1xh.jpg[/img] [img]http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3711/titanscopy1hy.jpg[/img][/center]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][QUOTE=Kei][color=darkblue][size=1]In terms of the series itself, I've always found it very interesting. Obviously, I appreciate it more than the 4Kids adaptation, so I'm very interested in seeing the original version (whatever happened to 4Kids releasing the uncut versions, anyway?). My favourite series thus far would have to be Millienium World, simply due to the fact that one of my favourite characters gets so much back story development.[/color][/size] [spoiler][size=1]Bakura for the [i]win[/i]. _< I managed to collect a few DVD's but that was it, and even then they started with the duels and not the very beginning where Yugi first [spoiler]solves the puzzle.[/spoiler] I haven't read all the duel manga part but I've already started on the Millennium World arch. I have the first three manga's to that part and I intend to get the rest as soon as I can afford it. I'm loving how it's set in [spoiler]Ancient Egypt and how it gives a lot of background info on other things in the series, like how the Dark Magician came about and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. In addition to the back story on Bakura. [/spoiler][/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Things were tense in the command center of the main resistance base, ever since Kim had picked up energy signatures indicating that one of the battleships was using a transportation door. Once or twice was one thing, but several hundred and counting over the past four hours? And all of them in the city of Denver Colorado? Jason and Celestia tried to concentrate on their own work, but it was hard to do so when it was obvious that what ever was going on had both Daniel and Kim worried. Then without so much as a word, Kim got up and left. Jason couldn?t take it anymore; he turned off his terminal and went over to talk to Daniel. ?[B]What is going on?[/B]? He asked as he sat down next to Daniel. Daniel didn?t take his eyes off of the monitor but motioned to Jason to move closer. ?[B]This is what?s going on.[/B]? He pointed to the screen showing a section of the city as being highlighted. ?[B]I don?t understand.[/B]? ?[B]The Crimson is opening transportation doors in this location. Normally I wouldn?t be able to pinpoint it, but with so much activity it leaves a residual energy signature for a little while.[/B]? ?[B]I still don?t understand Daniel.[/B]? ?[B]There are only so many things they could be up to. They could actually own the facility and are transporting personal down to that location, or they are preparing to destroy it.[/B]? ?[B]Why would they destroy it?[/B]? Jason asked completely confused. Daniel turned to look directly at Jason, ?[B]It?s standard procedure. When we take over a world, we disrupt transportation, the military and essentially create chaos. In the end it makes taking the world in question over easier as at that point no one is organized enough to mount serious resistance to the invasion.[/B]? Jason was aghast, he didn?t know what to say, but then something in the back of his mind clicked. ?[B]You just sent Kim to find out what they are up to![/B]? He accused. ?[B]Correct, even though we have grade B sensor equipment, it?s not good enough to pick up our type of explosives unless they have already been set off. Kim is taking a small scanner to get a closer look.[/B]? ?[B]But that?s dangerous![/B]? Jason started to protest. ?[B]Exactly, which is why I sent Kim. She may not be as good as an Elite Specialist, but she?s the most skilled hand-to-hand combat agent that we have. And unlike the rest of them she is trained to use all of our explosives. Something that only officers are trained to do.[/B]? ?[B]Why would that matter?[/B]? ?[B]Because if they are going to destroy it, the most logical way to do so without revealing that there is an alien ship orbiting Earth would be to use explosives. The Crimson could easily destroy it from space, but that sort of thing would not go unnoticed.[/B]? A tiny tremor ran through the base, but Jason ignored it as the facility was made to withstand Earthquakes, but a moment later the lighting in the base changed to a deep red that bathed everything in a surreal look. At that same moment the alarm indicating danger sounded. The harsh siren startling Jason, nearly causing him to fall out of his chair. [I]What the hell?[/I] A split second later the main viewer came on as Daniel accessed what had triggered the alarm. A few more sub screens opened displaying even more data, data that had Daniel cursing. ?[B]What?s going on Daniel?[/B]? Jason asked as Celestia came over to join them. But then the main viewer switched to another view, one showing a huge building on fire. ?[B]Good lord! What happened?[/B]? Celestia asked. ?[B]It was destroyed by explosives that only my people could have made.[/B]? Daniel replied. ?[B]Are you sure?[/B]? Jason flinched when Daniel fixed him with a glare. ?[B]Never mind of course you?re sure.[/B]? ?[B]It?s what triggered the alarm,[/B]? Daniel said even as he switched the noise off. ?[B]The sensor is designed to alert us if certain things happen that are within a preset radius of this base.[/B]? ?[B]I thought we weren?t near the town of Denver.[/B]? Jason said. ?[B]Not by your terms, but the alarm is sensitive to anything within 150 of your Earth Miles,[/B]? Daniel stopped to answer an incoming transmission. ?[B]Daniel I?m at the facility where the building blew up, you were right! Not only did our explosives destroy the building, but I can?t lock on to the other explosives, who ever placed them put a low-level stealth shield on them. I would have to enter the building and fetch each one by hand.[/B]? Kim said. ?[B]You?ll do no such thing Kim, gather a little more data and return her at once.[/B]? Daniel ordered. ?[B]Understood.[/B]? Kim replied before cutting the connection. ?[B]Is there a way for us to call the facility from here?[/B]? Celstia asked. Daniel turned to face her puzzled over her question. ?[B]Why would we want to do something like that?[/B]? ?[B]We can call in a bomb threat, forcing them to evacuate the facility, otherwise, more people are going to die![/B]? She said. ?[B]I?m not sure that?s a good idea,[/B]? Daniel started to say but he was cut off by Kim contacting him again. ?[B]Daniel I?m going to forward a line of communication to you.[/B]? Puzzled Daniel opened up the link for her to send him a feed. A moment later he understood why. She had hacked into a signal coming from the Crimson that was directed to the authorities on Earth. An all to familiar voice could be heard, one that chilled Daniel, Celestia and Jason as they had hoped they would never hear it again. Torn between the desire to somehow do something and yet helpless to stop what was happening, they listened as Jared calmly ordered the authorities to evacuate, destroying a building every time they hesitated. And when it was all said and done and the transmission finished. A raging inferno, miles wide was all that was left of the transportation complex. It had begun. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][B]What is it? [/B]Panda [B]Why is it nifty?[/B] Besides being nifty for being a Panda fairy, she's a hard working dedicated member of the staff. Her tireless work at both OtakuBoards and theOtaku help keep things running smoothly. And to make it even better, she's one of the nicest and friendliest members around. [B]What is it?[/B] Sandy [B]Why is it nifty?[/B] In addition to running fun and successful RPG's he's someone who takes the time to help you get your own RPG started. I don?t think my current RPG would have been anywhere as successful as it has been with out all his input and tips on ways to improve it. That alone makes him quite nifty. [B]What is it? [/B]Members [indifference, Peanut, Aaryanna, Mariskah] [B]Why is it nifty? [/B]These members just show how there are so many amazing members here at OtakuBoards, people that make the best of friends, from indifference with her unique sense of irony, Peanut with her friendly personality, Aaryanna with her cheerfulness and Mariskah with her wacky sense of humor. I could add quite a few people to this list as so many people here are quite nifty. [B]What is it?[/B] The staff [B]Why is it nifty?[/B] Because without their great examples for me to follow in and their help when I had so many questions when I first started as a staff member. I don?t know how I would have managed. That and everyone knows that James has a cute Australian accent and Desbreko is Link in real life. Definitely nifty. I actually had quite a few more to nominate, but since they?ve already been mentioned I left them out. That way if I realize I?ve forgotten something I can come back and post some more! [/COLOR] :catgirl:

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]This is going to be so much fun! White has already seen this, but the rest of you have not and a few things have changed since you read it White, so on to the about me part. Well my real name is Elizabeth, though I usually go by the nickname Beth since I?ve never liked the nickname Liz. I?m 36 years old and I?m currently living in Provo, Utah, though I?ve also lived in Texas and California. And pretty much the entire west coast if you include the time when I was a truck driver. :p In the last year and a half I took a break from work since my father nearly died from cancer and I stayed with him to help with things while he recovers. Though I?m still living with him and I?m very relived that he has recovered so nicely. Before that I was working for the United States Postal Service, before that I was a Semi Truck Driver and before they outsourced computer jobs to India I worked for Microsoft in their Tech support department. Anyway later this year I will most likely return to school to get another degree, I'll either go for graphic design or computer engineering. I have other legal obligations that require my staying put as well, or I'd just go back to being a Truck Driver. I date off and on, but I have no one that I consider my boyfriend. As for interests, my father worked for the computer department at BYU so from the very beginning I?ve grown up with a computer in the home and naturally that lead to playing lots of video games. I don?t know much about websites and html, but I can build a computer and fix the blue screen of death! ^_~ I actually was pretty indifferent to anime until I discovered the wonder of subtitles, though I did collect art books. I usually spend my spare time either playing video games, reading science fiction or fantasy (I?m a big Dr. Who fan) or scrap booking as my family has made visiting Yellowstone National park a tradition and I?ve been there seventeen times and have a ton of photos. Anyway when I got hurt on the job two years ago and couldn?t drive for a while I started browsing forums online which eventually lead to here. ^_^ [B]Team Captain:[/B] I was actually thinking about choosing White. However if chosen I will certainly do my best. Something that I think would be made easier by having such awesome people to work with. ^_~ [B]Team Name/Color:[/B] I?m all for The Titans or The Nifty Titans and blue is an awesome color, something that I?m sure Keyblade Wielder would do an awesome job with, you do such beautiful work with graphics. I love the work you do as well White. [/color]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Jason didn?t completely understand why both Daniel and Kim were concerned about the arrival of an Elite Specialist, but he?d take their word for it. Earth just didn?t have anyone like that. Sure they had special agents that worked for various governments, but none of them had the skills and the technological knowledge that those of the Versilan Empire did. All he could do was keep working with Celestia on their shielding program to keep it from being detected. It helped that part of what shielded them was natural to the planet and not technological in nature. Certain energy signatures that they would scan for weren?t even being used since they were not necessary. But some of the equipment it was unavoidable, you could shield it, but eventually it would be found. Which was why most of it was in a separate location all together. The ship with the Elite Specialist hadn?t even been here for a day yet and so far it looked like they had not located them. If they had, Jason couldn?t imagine them ignoring their presence, they would destroy the base, or attempt to capture him and Celestia if they knew they were there. The bounty on their heads was according to Daniel, enough to tempt anyone to catch them. And even members of the Military were allowed to collect a bounty so long as catching the criminal did not interfere with their duties. But since it was the High Council who had issued the bounty and specified it was a live capture only, Daniel said it was even possible they were here just to get them. It was a thought that if he was honest with himself, terrified him. He switched off the terminal he had been using in the main control room and left to join Celestia who had already left to get some dinner. The base was not very big and within a few minutes he was at the mess hall. It didn?t take long to spot her sitting at a table with both Daniel and Kim. He paused for a moment at the storage unit to grab some sandwiches that had been made and then he went over and joined the others at the table. ?[B]Finished already?[/B]? Daniel asked him when he sat down. ?[B]Not really, I did recode some of the parameters to make the energy frequencies change more often, but I?m having trouble getting them to be more random. It works but it?s not using as many different frequencies as it should.[/B]? Celestia spoke up, ?[B]I?ll be sure to take a look at what you changed then, you?ve probably just missed something.[/B]? ?[B]No, I?ll do that tomorrow after I?ve gotten some rest, you need to keep focusing on boosting the distance the transport door will go. With three ships here and one of them fast enough to catch almost anything, William will need the extra distance to have time to transport someone and still get away.[/B]? ?[B]I agree,[/B]? Daniel said. ?[B]William does have one of the few ships that can out run the ships used by the Elite Specialists, but if they get close enough before he can escape, they would have no trouble taking him out, or catching him in a tractor beam and thus prevent their escape. They may look small, but that ship could easily take on the Tempest and win.[/B]? ?[B]Surely you?re joking.[/B]? Jason asked. Kim spoke up. ?[B]He is not joking. Messenger ships have the most update equipment available in the Empire. Almost the entire ship is devoted to defense and offense, to the point that there is only room for three crewmembers. The Crimson could destroy it as it is a more powerful battleship than the Tempest is, but that would be difficult as the Messenger ship could simply outrun the Crimson.[/B] [B]The Empire designed them that way on purpose, Elite Specialists only answer to the High Council and to prevent treachery on the Military?s side they have been given the skills to evade them if need be.[/B]? ?[B]So basically, until William shows up or someone else with a ship fast enough, both Celestia my sister and I are stuck here.[/B]? ?[B]Exactly, and at the moment, I believe that the Empire is unaware of your presence, I am sure they know about Sara, Kim and myself, but you and Celestia are another matter. And I intend to keep it that way.[/B]? Daniel got up to leave, ?[B]Both of you need to get some rest, if anything changes I?ll be sure to inform you.[/B]? ?[B]All right,[/B]? Celestia said in reply. Kim got up as well, ?[B]As much as I?d like to call it a day I?ve still got work to do.[/B]? And with that both of them left the mess hall. Jason turned to Celestia as he had finished his dinner while they were chatting. ?[B]Ready to call it a night?[/B]? ?[B]I think we should stop in and say hello to Sara first.[/B]? Celestia said with a smile as she stood up.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Yu-Gi-Oh was the very first manga I ever read. For the simple reason that I caught part of one and the thought that went through my mind was it can?t possibly be this stupid can it? It also had points that really looked like they had been edited or changed. So out of curiosity I picked up the first couple of volumes and I?ve been hooked ever since. ^_~ It definitely has a much darker feel to it like you have mentioned and they way the story started where even Yugi was [spoiler] not aware that he had a second personality or second soul from solving the puzzle is excellently done. [/spoiler] It?s really kind of sad to watch the anime since so much of it was ruthlessly butchered and altered to make it more kid friendly. But the manga is another story altogether, which reminds me that I haven?t picked up any new ones in a while, I should fix that. ^_~[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue][quote name='Desbreko][color=#4B0082']But all of the 3D games are still cake when compared to A Link to the Past and the other early 2D Zeldas. They really need to fix that with the newer games. :animesigh[/color][/quote]If you want a challenge, try beating the [spoiler]fifth dungeon while wearing the zora tunic since it makes you more susceptible to fire and ice attacks. [/spoiler] I've yet to try that myself, but when I play it again I intend to. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]Well after all this time I finally beat the game. ^_~ There?s a lot to cover so I?ll start with the bad. The biggest would be that to really get the most out of this game and have fun at the same time you need the game guide for it. The easiest level is fine, but if you want to really get into the harder levels and bonus dungeons, you need it. And even then it?s a flaw that in my opinion would have been easily solved by simply bundling the game with the guide in the first place. It turned a game that I loved but was starting to get frustrated with into a game that I totally loved again. The next would be the dialogue, a good amount of it was cheesy and clichéd, however it was at least partially saved by having good voice actors to offset it. Now for the more fun part and that would be the overall storyline, truthfully I loved it, even though the game had you on the [spoiler] same planet for a good portion of it. [/spoiler] I really enjoyed the religious and yet not religious twist that was used. The whole idea of the universe being nothing more than a [spoiler] computer game was fun. [/spoiler] There?s more to this that I?ll cover when I get to the ending part. My next favorite part of this game was the battle system. I really loved how it had special moves that were easy to use and how you could focus on either moves or using the form of magic attacks in the game. The way you could easily switch characters was a plus as well. This is mostly my personal preference though as I detest games that require a lot of timing things perfectly to get a move to work, so having one that didn?t was nice. And even that is not so simple once you play on harder levels as there is still a certain amount of dodging and timing your attacks required or you get clobbered. I enjoyed the music for the series and some of the special songs used for major boss fights were fun and zany, shaking things up. I also like the graphics, considering when it was released, I thought they were done well. The customization aspect once you got the guide was also a fun part of the game, it gave you total freedom in deciding how much you wanted to max your character out or not. Anyway, the ending was a mix of parts I outright laughed at and others I cringed at. For starters, after hearing about so many people having trouble beating the game I ended up over customizing my party, to the point that beating the final boss was a walk in the park. I clobbered the boss in less than five minutes. I know this because I earned the battle trophy for doing so, and not one of my characters died. I was expecting it to be much harder, though I suppose the next level of difficulty will make that less likely and even the hardest one after that, which I have yet to unlock. The part I liked best about the ending was [spoiler] how it implied that the creator of the universe as we know it could not erase our existence, or rather our souls. [/spoiler] It was interesting in how it seemed to imply that the true sin was [spoiler] God?s attempt to destroy his own creations. Something that cracked me up. [/spoiler] The dialogue was cheesy, but I found the concept at least interesting. The following part of the ending I understand has to do with [spoiler] affection points you got depending upon interactions between characters, so apparently there is suppose to be more than one ending in that respect. [/spoiler] I was rather fond of using Albel in my party and I ended up with what is known as the [spoiler] Fayt & Albel ending. [/spoiler] The parts about the rest of the characters were a bit on the whatever side for me, but the final part right before the end where it shows you what [spoiler] Fayt & Albel are up to now that the universe has been saved was just too funny. ^_^ [/spoiler] All in all I still adore this game and now I?m off in the first bonus dungeon the Maze of Tribulations and I?ve also started a new game on the next level of difficulty. My first complaint would be that Nel [spoiler] dies too easily as it seems like no matter what tactic I set her on, she can?t be bothered to heal herself until it?s too late. [/spoiler] That and I?ve already been completely wiped out several times. But then that makes it more fun and challenging right? ^_~[/COLOR]