Aaryanna

[COLOR=DarkRed]Yay! Yet another win for The Mercenaries! :catgirl: I know it's repetitive, but everyone did such a good job! And in my opinion that's what resulted in us winning. That just makes me even more determined to win the next one too! Especially since the other two entries were really good so it ought to be fun to see what they come up with next! [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Well my Mom didn't get the lyrics put in like she wanted. It is possible, but it's just a matter of learning how to use the program. lol Still later tonight I'm going to finish adding the lyrics to the graphics and she will try to upload the basic video to YouTube. And at that point we will be finished! I was thinking it would be a good idea to provide a link to the video so Sandy could listen to it if it's been a while since he's heard the song, and then also provide a link to the instrumental for when he sees how the lyrics go with it. I'm off to do some homework and then once I've done that I'll be back to send everyone the finished graphic. :catgirl: [B]EDIT:[/B] I just sent both of you the link to the YouTube video with the instrumental version of Bye Bye Bye. Hehe! I think you?ll like what my Mom did. Once you guys have had a chance to take a look my Mom will post everything in the main thread. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Fun! After the last one started I was wishing I had joined. I like how you've left it more open as far as the type of characters one can have. Only because I think that will make it more interesting. I assume that's instead of the characters having powers? Anyway, I've written up my sign up, but I'm still looking for pictures for my characters so once I have that I'll send it to you . :catgirl: [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]It had taken her several days, but the scanning and death reports were finally finished. Everyone had been accounted for and all of the death certificates issued. Crystal closed the reports and moved to check the updates; with all the work she had been doing she hadn?t gotten to them yet. Once she was finished she was going to call it a day. But then as she was reading one of the medical updates she stopped, and then read it again. [I]That can?t be right.[/I] She thought. Quickly she checked the medical and regular news update. There was no mistake, someone had hacked the system and uploaded the information on two of the research projects in sector fourteen. It hadn?t even been in the system for more than a few minutes. Obviously the resistance had successfully hacked into her hand held computer that they had taken, but that was not all. Crystal opened up a channel and sent a high priority request to talk to the High Council waiting patiently for a response. And then for the member who had responded to speak first when her call was answered. ?[B]What is it Commander Crystal? If you are calling about the security leak from sector fourteen we are already aware of it.[/B]? The member stated. ?[B]Are you aware that part of the information that was leaked was not on my hand held computer?[/B]? ?[B]Explain.[/B]? Crystal highlighted part of the information on the second project and sent it to him. ?[B]This information was being handled solely by the director Michael Edwards and his team. Though we discussed it, the actual details were never transferred to my hand held computer. In order for the resistance to have gotten this, they have to have either an agent at the facility or to have hacked into the computers there.[/B]? ?[B]I see, have you told anyone about this?[/B]? Crystal shook her head. ?[B]No.[/B]? ?[B]Very well, other than Stevens you are to discuss this with no one. Also, do not contact the facility in sector fourteen until you have heard from us.[/B]? ?[B]Understood.[/B]? Crystal replied. Once the transmission had closed she went back to looking at the information. Though the High Council would make sure to remove the information from the networks, the damage had been done. But more importantly, even she knew that the computer where the most sensitive research was kept was not networked to anything. It was a closed system. The only way they could have gotten it was from the inside. She wondered if the resistance realized the mistake they had made when they released the information. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed][quote name='indifference][COLOR=DarkRed']Anyway, I'll be posting something that will advance the story either later today or tomorrow. [/COLOR][/quote]Eep! I'd better get in the rest of my objective then. Sorry! I got busy yesterday and I didn't get my post written. I'm going to start working on it since I know how I want to present it, so I should have it ready soon. As for the story...Hehehe! I love how it's been going, and good grief, I must be blind since I didn't guess what Daego had in mind. Still like indifference said that just makes it more fun to read. :catgirl: [wanders off to start working on her post][/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I didn't think of any good pranks to pull this year. But my older sister pulled one on me. She took a book I was reading and carefully cut out the last chapter. It wasn't a big chapter so I didn't realize that she had altered the book until I got to the end. o_O After I lectured her about damaging a book, that sneak pulled out another one that she had bought to replace it with and simply handed it to me saying April Fools! :animesigh It was funny, but that poor book! I still can't believe she mutilated it like that! [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Crystal did not get the chance to finish going over what had been done at the medical facility in Australia during her absence. When the chime indicating she was needed on the bridge sounded as well as a low level alert status, she politely ended the transmission and quickly headed for the bridge. [I]Now what?[/I] She wondered. To the best of her knowledge the arrival of the reinforcements and supplies did not concern her at all. The Tempest was primarily overseeing the security arrangements for the different medical facilities that had been built on Earth so far. It didn't take her long to reach the bridge and of all things she did not expect to find an image of two of the transports showing them on fire where they had crash landed. [I]How the hell did they crash land? [/I]She thought as she took her seat. "[B]Give me a status report.[/B]" She ordered as she pulled up her own information at her terminal. "[B]The transports heading for the US were shot down by the resistance. They also shot down the ones headed for the UK.[/B]" Her Sub-Commander responded. "[B]Any survivors?[/B]" "[B]Negative, the Conqueror and the Creator has already sent squads to both locations. Preliminary scans indicate that everyone on board was killed.[/B]" Crystal pulled up the data from the ships sensors as well. Noting how the squads were addressing the fire from the crash at both locations. She sighed. "[B]Open a channel to the Conqueror and get me Stevens.[/B]" Crystal ordered. She pulled up the data on the troops that had been on the four transports and ran a quick data search before transferring the genetic information on the individuals to her hand held computer. She looked up when the screen switched to one of Stevens. "[B]What did you need Crystal?[/B]" He asked. "[B]I need your authorization to organize two medical teams to immediately head for the surface and verify who died in the crash. In order to do that I'm going to need the help of other doctors from different ships.[/B]" She didn't need to tell him why, since it was not unusual for the resistance to pull spies from a location right before they destroyed it. "[B]Done, pull who ever you need to get the job completed . Anything else?[/B]" "[B]No Stevens.[/B]" She replied. "[B]Keep me informed.[/B]" Stevens replied before ending the transmission. Crystal turned to her Sub-Commander. "[B]Take care of things until I return.[/B]" "[B]Yes Commander,[/B]" he replied. Then she turned and left the bridge, pulling up a list of the doctors available at Earth, selecting the ones who had the most experience with genetics, including the Tempest's own doctor, Alex. Who she quickly sent an order to, telling him what equipment to bring and to join her in transport room one asap. Crystal entered the transport room and then started contacting each of the doctors she had in mind, explaining what their task was and sending them to each location. She ignored Alex when he finally joined her, continuing to issue the orders. Then when she was done she finally turned to face Alex. "[B]Are you ready?[/B]" She asked him. "[B]Yes.[/B]" He replied. "[B]Lets go then. I want to get this over with as soon as possible.[/B]" Crystal turned and gave the order to the transport technician to open a door to where the transports had gone down in the US. Stepping thought the door the moment it opened. Acrid smoke burned her eyes as she approached the smoldering wreck of what once was a transport. Sharp bitter smells burned her nostrils, ones that she put out of mind as she put herself into the state of mind needed to analytically deal with what had happened. A moment to organize the other doctors who were already waiting for her and then she opened up her hand held and began scanning. It would take hours to carefully identify all the genetic material left from the crash. There was very little as far as bodily remains went, the fire had burned quickly and hotly, destroying most of what was inside the transport. Once they had all the data they could get, they would move on to putting the pieces together. She didn't expect to find anything out of order as she highly doubted that there were resistance members among the troops. But it was still necessary to identify everyone before the final death reports were issued. Crystal stifled a sigh. This was one part of her job that she truly detested. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Crystal had already checked in with the bridge crew before returning to her quarters, then after a few hours of setting up the passwords for the security on her hand held she opened up and sent a secure transmission to the director of the research facility in sector fourteen. Quite a bit of her research was also logged into their database and it would be much more efficient to simply have them send it directly to her. Otherwise it would take her days if not weeks to rewrite everything. A moment later the director, Michael Edwards, answered. "[B]Crystal, it's good to see you.[/B]" He said with a smile, "[B]I heard about what happened from Stevens. They didn't do anything to you did they?[/B]" "[B]No, but they did take my hand held computer with all my notes. I'm going to need you to send me a copy of everything I sent to you.[/B]" Crystal replied. "[B]Shit! That's not good. You're not going to get in trouble for that are you? I mean, you did have everything we are doing on there didn't you?[/B]" "[B]Yes, I did have everything on it. But it was protected by high level security so it's possible the resistance was unable to access it. And even if they did, I am not in trouble Michael.[/B]" Michael just shook his head, "[B]Well that's good to hear. I mean... well you know... the High Council can be a bit unreasonable at times. I was worried they would blame you! Though I figured those damn bastards would torture you or use drugs to get the information. Not just take your hand held computer.[/B]" "[B]Michael, considering the nature of our research can you blame the High Council? You know that what we are doing is banned.[/B]" Crystal folded her arms fixing him with a more serious look. "[B]This was not suppose to be made public without first explaining why it was necessary and you know damn well that the resistance will make it look like the High Council is deceiving the people.[/B]" Michael raised an eyebrow, "[B]Uh Crystal, correct me if I'm wrong, but they[I] are [/I]deceiving the people, I mean I know why its necessary, but it doesn't mean it isn't true.[/B]" He held up his hand when Crystal started to respond. "[B]There's no need to say anything Crystal, I agree with the High Council and with you. You can't modify someone to live longer with out doing something to make the stress on the body both mentally and physically less damaging.[/B]" Crystal sighed, "[B]I know I saw evidence of that in both Celestia and Jason when I modified them. And though I was able to tweak the process to avoid making them more passive in the process, it's just not feasible to do it for every one of the lesser races. It would take far too long and require resources that we just don't have for monitoring the process. Besides, it's not a huge change and it's something that as time goes by can be slowly reversed.[/B]" "[B]I know. Anyway, I'll organize the data you need as well as a report and all the notes on what we have been doing while you were gone. I'll send it to you as soon as it's ready. Was there anything else?[/B]" Crystal shook her head, "[B]No.[/B]" "[B]I'll talk to you later then.[/B]" Michael ended the transmission. Crystal set her hand held computer down and opened up another communication, this time with the facility where she had been kidnapped from. Unless they had managed to take care of it while she was gone, they still had a virus to take care of. When the doctor she had been with answered, she smiled, patiently answering their questions as to how she was doing and then, since they had not finished the work that had been so rudely interrupted they started going over what had been done in her absence. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I rarely throw up, even when I'm sick. But when I am sick I get even sicker from the car ride to the doctors office. For whatever reason riding in a vehicle when I'm sick makes me want to hurl. I always lose it either in the car or in the doctor's office once we get there. And last time I forgot the plastic bag I had [SIZE=1][my mom always gives me one so I won't barf all over the car][/SIZE] when my mom took me down so when I walked into the clinic I puked right there at the receptionist counter all over the floor and part of the counter. So far I've only done that once this year. And if I'm lucky I won't get sick again. Though I'm not holding my breath. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I just sent you guys the two different graphics. ^_~ I'm sure you will have no trouble telling which is mine and which is my mom's idea. LOL! And the way the lyrics were done? Hehehe! Goodness I just died laughing! :catgirl: I love how you guys did it. Anyway, I hope you like the graphics, especially since my program is still corrupted so I'm having to use an older adobe program. >_< Even with installing the program again. :animesigh So I don't know when that will be fixed. Anyway, once we decide I'll add the lyrics running down the middle. Also if there is something you don't like I still have them in PSD format so I can tweak them if needed.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I think it's fantastic! ^_^ I love how clean it looks and how you have each of them standing on a block with the letters spelling OTAKU. ^_~ And having each of you holding one of the tools of moderation is pretty nifty. I don't know what to say since it's got a nice clean look that I like. And I love how Ezekiel looks like she's lecturing someone on grammar. lol Though I was curious to know if you plan on eventually coloring it, I know I would enjoy seeing a full color version. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed][quote name='Andrew][SIZE=1]I hate Americans. [B]Or at least the vision the media provides of them.[/B] Especially pig-headed 'God's Gift' type people. [B]For all the Americans who aren't like that, you have my sympathy. [/B']Of course saying that, the way Blair's going the British aren't looking too hot either. ¬_¬[/SIZE][/quote]I'm American and I agree. I hate how the government is making the rest of us look stupid. And yes I am not like that. >_< And it goes without saying... regardless of what Blair says or does, I know better than to assume the British are anything like what we see in the media here. ^_~ But lets get to the main event, the thing that annoys me the most are people who abuse animals. The ones who beat, starve and even kill them. :animeangr I really detest those who think nothing of animal cruelty. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Well I don't know about the rest of you, but my graphics program froze and I lost everything I was working on. >_< I'll have to redo it tomorrow since I was too frustrated to work on it again. :animesigh I'll also send all of you what I've done with the lyrics so far tomorrow as well. That was at least a little easier. Anyway. I'm off since I have to go to bed. :catgirl: [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]When Crystal had finally finished with Stevens and returned to the Tempest, she had gone to her quarters, gotten ready for bed and was asleep within minutes of climbing under the covers. The next morning she got cleaned up and instead of a uniform was dressed in a very casual set of cotton type pants and shirt with a soft pink floral pattern, something she rarely wore. But even after sleeping so soundly Crystal was still tired. Still she had really enjoyed being back in her own bed since the tiny bed she had been forced to use had lacked the space for her to truly lay sprawled out like she always did. Crystal forgo breakfast in favor of one of her favorite fruit drinks, a blend of fruits that was rather expensive to grow and therefore quite expensive to obtain. She always had some on hand even though she rarely had it. But today just having that option again had been too tempting to pass up and she was curled up on the soft sofa, her feet neatly tucked under her as she took tiny sips of the juice until finally she finished it and set the glass on the small end table next to the sofa. She stretched lazily and then stayed put, voicing the command for the screen on the wall to display the current news. Not really paying attention when the screen came on and the news started. Crystal was too busy analyzing her feelings. She understood why she was still tired since even though she had not been subjected to being interrogated, she had still be forced to stay in that tiny little room with little to no contact for days at a time. Something that had been mentally draining. As well as the underlying fear that she would be stuck there for months if not years. No Crystal understood it all to well. Even though the resistance had been as polite as possible about it, they had still held her prisoner against her will. It did not matter that even when her belongings were taken the two agents Sako and Kajo had been careful to avoid unnecessary touching. To put her at ease that they would not harm her in any way. They had still forced her at gunpoint to do as they wished. Crystal sighed. She really wished people would see that change had to come from within. They didn't understand why things couldn't be changed overnight. It just wasn't possible. And kidnapping her, stealing her research notes and delaying what was being done in sector fourteen just proved they didn't understand. Even though she was free, it would still take time to re-write her notes. And to get back on track as to how things were going. Something that starting tomorrow would have her very, very busy. Crystal looked up from her musings when the news switched to a live broadcast of the monthly session with the High Council. Something that she rarely watched since she was usually too busy to take the time. And even though she had the time she found herself tuning it out, her mind wandering back to other things. That is until they came to the part about naming the new shipping expert. [I]What the hell?[/I] She thought as she watched Darren on the screen. [I]When did this happen? [/I] She finished watching that part and then turned the news off. [I]What else have I missed?[/I] Then as she got up to go and put the glass away the chime indicating someone was at her door sounded. Surprised she answered it only to find that it was one of the crew, stopping by to welcome her back. Something that as the hours went by and people kept stopping by surprised her. It had never occurred to Crystal that anyone would actually miss her. But what surprised her the most was when later in the day when she answered the door only for it to be Jared. Who did not give her a chance to react when he easily picked her up in a massive hug, lifting her tiny frame up off the floor. And then set her down and gave her a small kiss on her right cheek. Leaving her a bit breathless with surprise. "[B]I heard that you were found yesterday Crystal.[/B]" He said, a huge smile on his face. "[B]I would have come to welcome you back sooner if I could have.[/B]" Crystal didn't know what to say. The whole day had been overwhelming. She was so use to people not liking her due to her blunt and forward manner that she honestly had thought people didn't like her. Jared just smiled even more. "[B]Surprised that so many people were worried about you?[/B]" "[B]Yes.[/B]" Crystal finally stammered in reply. A response that Jared laughed at. "[B]You're so clueless Crystal. Quite a few officers would fight over you given the chance. So it's no surprise to me that you were missed.[/B]" [I]What?[/I] Crystal thought and then remembered the time when Stevens had said that even Jared would share genetics with her. She couldn't help it Crystal did something that she rarely did. She blushed. "[B]You should do that more often you know.[/B]" Jared said with a wink. "[B]It really is quite becoming.[/B]" He smiled and held out a bottle that he had been holding a bit behind his back. Something that Crystal hadn't even noticed he had. She took it hesitantly and turned it to see the label. It was a bottle of the same blend of fruit juice she had enjoyed when she got up. But the stuff was expensive! "[B]Jared..[/B]" She started to say but he cut her off. "[B]No buts Crystal.[/B]" He leaned forward and kissed her on the other cheek. "[B]That is from both myself and Stevens.[/B]" "[B]Thank you.[/B]" Crystal finally replied. Still not sure what to think. "[B]One other thing,[/B]" Jared said as he reached into the side pouch he was wearing. "[B]Stevens asked me to give you this.[/B]" He handed her a new hand held computer. "[B]I understand your's was taken by the resistance. Stevens said that the security is all put in place and all you have to do is set the necessary passwords.[/B]" "[B]Okay, I will. Thank you.[/B]" "[B]You're welcome,[/B]" He turned to leave, "[B]Let me know if there is anything I can do for you Crystal.[/B]" Crystal waited until Jared had left to go and set the new hand held computer on her desk and go and put the bottle he had given her away. Then a thoughtful look on her face she reached up and touched her cheek where he had kissed her. She knew Jared was not interested in women, but for the life of her she still found it surprising that he actually liked her. Even if it was just as a friend. She removed her hand and shook her head. It had been a long day and tomorrow would be even longer still. She went into her bedroom and pulled out a set of silk nightclothes. It may have been a bit early, but she was still tired. And Crystal was not about to start working on setting up the passwords tonight. That would take a while and could wait until tomorrow. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Well I just saw what you wrote Takuya. ^_^ So I fixed my post to match a little better. I forgot to mention Crystals hand held computer. I didn't even realize I had done that until I read your post. Opps! [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed][quote name='Takuya']Okay, now that my post's up, Kiva and Daego have Crystal's location. Aaryanna, feel free to post Crystal's rescue. If I have anything to add, I'll add it when I post next.[/quote]Let me know if I need to change anything. I figured that though Crystal knew about the specialist and her crew that it made sense that she wouldn't recognized them as she had never spoken to them directly. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Crystal took a moment to place a piece of paper in the spot where she was reading the latest materials Kajo had brought her the other day. Setting it on the dresser next to the window. Turning her attention to the view outside. This morning had been the beginning of the twelfth day since she had been brought here. Crystal had hoped that by now she would have either been found or released, but it seemed that for now she was still stuck in this room. Though she rarely saw Kajo, the other one Sako always showed up every evening to check on her and to give Crystal her dinner along with the necessary stuff for both of the earlier meals in the day. If he had time he would bring up points to discuss, if not, he would politely inquire if she needed anything and then leave. She was beginning to suspect that she was the only one here since other than when one of the two arrived, the place was silent. Which was probably why they had given her rations, in case one of them did not make it back to check on her for one of the days. Crystal glanced at the clock on the wall by the door it was almost time for Sako to arrive a fact that was reinforced by the sound of a door opening and then footsteps as they came up a flight of stairs. A moment later a knock at the door indicated that someone was about to open the door. She did not bother to stand up as Sako opened the door and came in with the usual stuff for her. ?[B]Please just set it on the table and leave.[/B]? Crystal requested. Sako did as she asked, ?[B]Is something troubling you?[/B]? ?[B]I am not interested in discussing things with you Sako, please, just leave.[/B]? ?[B]Very well Commander. Though I will be here for a while so please call out if you need anything before I go.[/B]? Sako then left and closed the door behind him. Crystal turned from looking out the window to glance at what Sako had left on the table. She was not hungry and she ignored it in favor of picking up the book she had been reading. Ignoring the sound of footsteps as Sako went back down the stairs, but then she paused at the sound of a commotion, one that sounded as if someone was breaking things in part of the house. Then the unmistakable sound of disruptor fire could be heard. [I]Just what in the world is going on? Is someone finally here to free me?[/I] Crystal stood up, turning to face the door as the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs was heard. Then a moment later the door opened, revealing yet another Versilan wearing light combat armor. ?[B]Commander Crystal,[/B]? He said, ?[B]I?m here to free you. Please come with me.[/B]? ?[B]And you are?[/B]? Crystal asked. ?[B]Daego Kelse,[/B]? Daego replied. ?[B]I?m here on behalf of the High Council to retrieve you.[/B]? ?[B]I see,[/B]? Crystal replied. ?[B]You?re the one working with the Elite Specialist Kiva.[/B]? ?[B]Correct. Now if you?ll come with me I?ll transport you back to the Tempest, but to do that you?ll need to be outside this building as the stuff used to build this place won?t allow a transport door to be opened.[/B]? He turned and left once Crystal started to follow him. She followed him back down the stairs into the front room of the building where another person was there, wearing the same combat armor that Daego was. The front door of the building had been blown open and Sako was lying on the floor, Crystal couldn't tell if he was unconscious or dead from where she was standing. The woman looked up from the hand held computer she had taken from Sako when Daego and Crystal entered the room. "[B]Ah, excellent[/B]," Kiva said, looking up from the handheld. "[B]So she was here. Greetings, Commander Crystal. As you've probably figured out by now, I am Kiva Salqarian. I'm sorry it took us so long to find you, but the Resistance has proven to be extremely capable.[/B]" Crystal then spoke with both Kiva and Daego for several minutes, as well as explaining that her hand held had been taken from her. Then a few minutes later they were finished something Kiva indicated when she spoke again. "[B]Good,[/B]" Kiva said. "[B]Now, if you?ll just follow Daego outside, he?ll see that you're returned to the Tempest.[/B]" Crystal just nodded and followed Daego outside waiting patiently while he called the Tempest and requested a transport door for her. Then when it was open she turned briefly to speak to him before entering it. ?[B]Thank you Daego, be sure to give my thanks to Kiva as well.[/B]? She said. ?[B]Of course Commander.[/B]? Crystal turned and walked though the transport door sighing with relief. She would first take a moment to send a message to Stevens and then she would go and get cleaned up before transporting over to the Conqueror. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Crystal couldn't help but sigh yet again. It had been nearly six days since she had been brought to the home and other than to learn that her abductors first names were Sako and Kajo, she had learned nothing else. Sako, the tall one, was the one she saw the most as he seemed determined to prove his point that she was naive. Any other time she would have enjoyed the debate since every time they bantered he would go and read up on what she said and then return and counter it. It actually was rather interesting that instead of the usual you're wrong and I'm right mentality he actually listened to what she had to say. She remembered when he had returned after the first time he had called her naive. It was at that point that Crystal realized he had taken the time to actually read up on what she had done. It really was a pity that he was a member of the resistance since getting deeper into the whys and why not of genetic enhancement of the lesser races was not a decision to take lightly. Nor was the one to simply free all of them either. And discussing the finer points was something she enjoyed. Crystal already had her own ideas on that and since it was between her and the High Council she was not about to discuss it with a resistance member. The research in sector fourteen was classified not something she could openly discuss with just anyone. Kajo was more quiet and she had only seen him twice since this whole thing started. Each time it had been to bring her more material for reading and taking back those that she had finished. Crystal had not even bothered to try and talk to him. She knew perfectly well that people's perspectives were distorted and that any relationship between a prisoner and their captor was unhealthy. Even her discussing things with Sako was something she would have to be careful about. It was obvious to her that he was subtly trying to get her to see the '[I]error'[/I] of her ways. She knew all about the problems of prisoners sympathizing with their captors. As a doctor, even though it was not her field, she had briefly covered how profound an effect that could have on a person. And Crystal knew she would be foolish to think that it would be any different for her. Besides, she knew about it from dealing with the races that were enslaved. She had not been lying when she had told him about how there were many of them who were happy. Like the beaten, starved and tortured children she had dealt with when the invasion had first begun. Or some of the more destitute and poor from other sections of Earth. Crystal actually did not agree with what the High Council did, but she had been smart enough to realize that you could make changes without resorting to the drastic measures that the resistance did. By foolishly making a stand all they did was make themselves targets where she had actually made a difference. And she would continue to do so, in her own way. Crystal set the book she had been reading down and stood up and stretched. There wasn't a lot of room with the bed to the right of the window and a small dresser to the left. The drawers filled with different types of sleeping clothing as well as regular clothes. But other than one day where she had used the soap in the restroom to wash her uniform and let it dry, she always put it right back on as she had no intention of becoming '[I]use'[/I] to the clothing they had provided. And so long as she was here, she would continue to wash it every couple of days and put it right back on. She looked over to the small table at the end of her bed, with barely enough room for it to fit between the end of the bed and the wall. And then just past the table was the door to the rest of the place she was in. The other wall where the door to the restroom was had nothing on it and barely provided enough floor space for her to do stretching exercises every day. Even the small restroom was just big enough for the necessary amenities and a small shower stall. Crystal wondered if they had converted an already existing home since she had seen signs of them simply coating the existing plain white walls with the substance that was similar to that of the ships. Though the door to the restroom was a simple drape of cloth and the door to the main room opened from the other side, leaving her with nothing that could be pried to possibly open it. Not even a handle as doors on this world were known to have. Crystal finished stretching and sat back down, watching the flowers and the grass of the meadow move from the wind. It was interesting to watch since she was use to the plain gray walls of a spaceship, but it had reached the point where she was finding it boring, as well as the materials they had brought for her to read. It was frustrating to not have access to all the medical updates since she liked being able to look up references and make notes on things that could be useful. It was irritating when she would instinctively think of pulling up other information only to realize that she could not. Calmly she picked up the book she had been reading, even if she could not check and make references like she was use to, the information was still useful and she would be foolish to not take advantage of it. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Recently I started watching this show and though I'm only to episode four I've been enjoying it. Basically it's about how the very next day after an apparent alien invasion of Tokyo is repelled by a mysterious being, middle schooler Murata Hajime discovers that his small town holds a strange secret when he witnesses transfer student Subaru Muryou fight another student using psychic powers. Since Hajime himself is relatively new to his town, he has been unaware that the leading families have been [spoiler]protecting the earth from alien invasion for centuries by using the ability of "Shingu," and that the current members of the middle school student council are also the chosen guardians of this generation.[/spoiler] He also begins to discover that many of the town's residents are in fact [spoiler] intergalactic diplomats.[/spoiler] Hajime is drawn futher into this open secret as his friendship with Muryou and the [spoiler]"chosen" teenagers[/spoiler] -- especially tomboy Moriyama Nayuta -- deepens and as he begins to discover that he has a role to play in Earth's future.[SIZE=1] [summary obtained from AnimeNewsNetwork][/SIZE] Anyway, so far I've been enjoying it, the animation is not the best but it's still nicely done and Hajime makes a rather unique character in how things happening are told from his prospective of an outsider explaining what happened. The characters are easy to identify with with as you have the standard hothead, the calm collected one and the usual tomboy girl messing things up. So far I've been really enjoying it and I'm looking forward to when it's released on 04-24-2007 in a slim pack edition so I can get all 26 episodes at the same time. ^_^ That and so far my favorite character is the calm and reserved and definitely cute Subaru Muryou. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]It had been a few days since Crystal had been abducted and though her captors were completely polite, they refused to answer any of her questions. It didn?t stop her from asking them. She sighed from her vantage point of sitting on the single chair in the room, Crystal had moved it so she could enjoy the view, but though the green meadows were pretty, it was obvious they were out in the country somewhere as she rarely saw anyone and the few times she did they were off in the distance. What they had told her about the room had been completely true, in spite of what she had seen where the disruptor didn?t damage the window, she had carefully checked the rest of the room only to find that the only way out would be when someone let her out. And if what Commander Daniel had said was true about the resistance?s intent to halt research in sector fourteen, she was going to be in this tiny room for a very long time. She wondered if anyone in the resistance was capable of breaking the security on her hand held computer. It had been specially made for her. Well if they couldn't she'd find out soon enough if Daniel's claims that they would not hurt her were really true or not. Crystal stood up at the sound of a knock on the door, something that they always did to warn her they were about to enter. She turned to face the door; it opened to reveal the taller of the two, carrying a box, which he set on the small table. The other one entered right behind him carrying a huge stack of books, which once he had set on the table as well, he left and came back with another huge stack of books. ?[B]Commander,[/B]? the taller one said as the second left. ?[B]I can offer no apology for holding you here, but since I cannot answer your question as to when you will be released I offer you these instead.[/B]? He indicated the books. ?[B]I?m sorry for the crude format in replicating them into book form, but I?m sure you can understand why I cannot give you a reader or a hand held computer. But since you are a doctor I thought you would at least like to have some of the newest publications from sector one in medicine.[/B]? Crystal raised an eyebrow at that. ?[B]And the box?[/B]? ?[B]Rations should either one of us be delayed in returning immediately.[/B]? ?[B]If you are done, please leave.[/B]? Crystal said coldy. He sighed, ?[B]As you wish Commander, I only wish I understood why you would willingly support enslaving other races.[/B]? ?[B]In the same manner you willingly helped imprison me. Don?t play stupid with me. It?s not that simple and you know it.[/B]? ?[B]Simple Commander?[/B]? He said incredulously. ?[B]There?s nothing simple about forcing billions of other people to do your work for you.[/B]? ?[B]Is that how you see it? Stop and think instead of judging. I choose to help since I can make a difference, not on some foolish ideal of equality but on one of making sure everyone receives proper medical care. Ideals are all fine and noble, but at the end of the day it doesn?t stop people from suffering, it doesn?t end disease or solve hunger.[/B]? ?[B]How can you say that?[/B]? He demanded. ?[B]Are you saying that so long as we treat them it?s okay to exploit and use them?[/B]? He shook his head. ?[B]How naïve.[/B]? He turned to leave and halted when Crystal spoke. ?[B]Naïve? What sort of nonsense do they teach you?[/B]? She waited until he turned around. ?[B]What?s naïve is thinking you can demand things change to fit your views, your values. Our Empire was built upon the labor of others, everything, from the food, to buildings to our every day comforts. All of it wouldn?t be possible without them. If the High Council were to give into your demands, within a month everything would collapse, people would starve, riots would break out. It would be chaos.[/B]? He started to reply but Crystal cut him off. ?[B]Try looking into how things are done instead of assuming it?s simple. And try asking the ?slaves? what they think as well, for those less fortunate, the poor, the oppressed, which if you truly look, are more than seventy percent, their new lifestyle is paradise in comparison. Here on Earth a very small percentage of the people lived in comfort while the rest grew fat and wealthy. Where the rest can?t even afford to feed their families, receive medical care, or even have time off to enjoy recreational activities.[/B]? ?[B]But..?[/B] He started to reply. ?[B]No buts.[/B]? Crystal said firmly. ?[B]I understand perfectly well what is reasonable as far as improving conditions for the lesser races goes. And I do it without needlessly destroying supplies or killing innocent civilians in the process.[/B]? Crystal waited for a response; it wasn?t the first time she had argued with someone over what her people did. She watched as he went from being disgusted to angry to finally expressionless. ?[B]Fair enough Commander,[/B]? He said as he bowed slightly in her direction. ?[B]And since I don?t have the time to continue this discussion I will be on my way. If there is anything I can do for you, let me know.?[/B] ?[B]Besides setting me free of course.[/B]? Crystal said sarcastically. ?[B]Yes besides setting you free.[/B]? He left, closing the door behind him. Crystal sighed. And then walked over to check out the books he had left. Even if they were in such a primitive format, reading them would at least give her something to do. She picked up the first one and then took it with her as she went back to the chair to sit down.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed][quote name='Aaryanna_Mom']Anyway, I still just can't get over how much fun doing RPG's is. :catgirl:[/quote]I'll second that, I know I was surprised when SunfallE pm'd me and asked me what I thought of my character getting kidnapped. Hehe, it just makes it more fun when you don't know what to expect from the other players. Because I certainly wasn't expecting that! Or Jared's reaction to hearing the news. Poor Darren! Every time things calm down he gets clobbered by Jared yet again. :p Anyway, mine ought to be fun since I thought it would be interesting to have the two agents talk to Crystal, having them debate their different viewpoints as to being for the Versilan Empire or against. Crystal's pretty blunt and stubborn so it should be fun to work on how she would respond to such questions like, how can you support enslaving the other races? After all she's going to need to do something while she's stuck there! And arguing with them is something she would do! ^_~ [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed][quote name='Anomaly][FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=DarkOrange]Now that I've been lurking around youtube, I think that maybe an N Sync song would be fun, and relatively easy because they have easy tempo/rhythm and patterns to follow. But it's totally a team decision. N Sync gets my vote, and I think that Bye Bye Bye is a viable option. What does everyone else think?[/COLOR'][/FONT][/quote]Oh my! Hehe! I love that song! ^_^ We could even have fun and make pokes at Sandy the puppet master of the Survivor deal! Like in the video I watched here with the song. [URL=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNO6vp4V8L4]Song[/URL] He never said we couldn't do something like that for our song. ^_~ So unless anyone objects I'm all for that song. :catgirl: [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]Well even though I'm fourteen and a virgin, I still have to counter with the statement, what's wrong with not being a virgin? Why is it so flaunted as being a good thing? I can understand from the standpoint of practicing safe sex, but to be a virgin just because of a religious idea that it somehow makes you better makes no sense. And I'm going off of what I got told over and over when I did go to church, as if losing your virginity was a complete and horrible sin unless you were married. Personally once a person reaches a certain age, I tend to think of somewhere between sixteen and eighteen, I'd check to see what the statutory rape laws are for your state before having sex if you're in the US. I'm considered jail bait until I turn sixteen and even if I supposedly agreed to it (which I won't) the law doesn't care since it is based on the premise that until a person reaches a certain age, he/she is legally incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse. And in my state even if the guy is a minor too that can mean three years of jail time. Anyway, once a person is past that point they have the right to decide for themselves if they want to be more intimate with someone. I think it's great that you were concerned about your friends sister, but I think you totally took the wrong approach. Lecturing and preaching does nothing and her response only proved it. For all you know she's already had sex with this guy so it might have made more sense to ask as another member pointed out, why him and why in such an obvious place? Or even the important question, of are you using protection? By making her feel attacked she's not going to listen to anything you have to say. Whether or not you're a virgin is irrelevant as it's a personal choice, not a standard that she has to live up to. Though it probably wouldn't hurt to remind her of the possible consequences if it turns out she's considered jail bait due to her age. Or the possibility of becoming pregnant if she's foolish enough to have sex without some form of protection.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed][quote name='Farto the Magic][FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=DarkGreen]Psh. I'd spit on Aaryanna. Why, you ask? Anyone who would deny pseudo-infinite power doesn't deserve it. Bwa ha ha ha! Or maybe I would spit on my high school psychology teacher. He was a prick.[/COLOR'][/FONT][/quote]You missed the part where I said I'd spit on anyone who would spit on a dog. You're not one of them, are you? :p Actually when it comes down to it, why bother with spit? If I'm going to get someone, I'd use something like a super soaker and really nail them. Now that would be fun! :catgirl: [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkRed]If we haven't decided on the song yet, we might also want to consider using some of the stuff by Huey Lewis and the News. They've got some really fun songs that would be easy to work with like 'Heart of Rock and Roll' or 'Couple Days off' Any thoughts? I've been listening to them and I was thinking they might be fun to use. And the music would be easy so long as Sandy didn't mind a link to a YouTube clip of the music video. ^_~ [that's a hint Sandy please let us know if that's alright] I think we need to decide pretty soon so we can start on the lyrics. Whether we go with the Back Street Boys, the Spice Girls, Huey Lewis or what ever we finally decide on. I'm not too picky so I say we pick a song and we get cracking! ^_^[/COLOR]