Aaryanna

[COLOR=Teal]Crystal had barely walked onto the bridge when her sub-commander informed her that there was a message for her from the Conqueror. She sat down in her chair overlooking the entire bridge and pulled up the message on the panel built into the sidearm of her chair. It was short and to the point. The words Phase One startled her, as she had not expected to get such a message. At least not until she had already delivered Sara to the Conqueror, did this mean she was no longer on Earth? She closed the message and got up and went into the side conference room connected to the bridge. Once the door had closed Crystal sat down at the table and activated the console built into the table. She sent a request to speak to either Sandra or Jared and waited patiently for their reply. A few minutes later, Jared appeared on the screen. ?[B]How can I help you Commander Crystal?[/B]? he asked her. ?[B]You can start by confirming my guess that Jason?s sister is no longer on Earth.[/B]? Crystal replied. ?[B]I can?t confirm that. What I can verify is that it is likely she is no longer there or has gone into hiding. I can also verify that both former Commander Daniel and Sub-Commander Kim have been on Earth with her for nearly four months. And like Sara, they too have disappeared.[/B]? Jared said. ?[B]That would mean that both of them have joined the resistance.[/B]? Crystal observed. ?[B]Exactly, if those two were not on Earth I would be inclined to think something else had caused her to disappear, but since they are I would imagine that they found out we are coming and evacuated.[/B]? Jared said. ?[B]I see, then if we really are moving into Phase One have you made the arrangements for transportation of the specimens once I choose them?[/B]? Crystal asked. ?[B]Yes, the ship in question is already on its way here. They?ll arrive about a week after you do, giving you plenty of time to pick suitable specimens.[/B]? Jared replied. ?[B]I see. Then I?ll quit wasting your time and start getting ready for when I arrive at Earth in a few days.[/B]? Crystal finished. She closed the transmission and got up and went back out to the main bridge. She?d never tell High Command of course, but she was relieved that Sara had gotten away.[I] As soon as I can[/I], she thought, [I]I?m retiring.[/I] Though the thought was of little comfort as she was easily over a hundred years away from that. [CENTER]-------------[/CENTER] [SIZE=1][B]OOC:[/B] Just to be clear, the ship I'm reffering to is not Kiva's ship. It's one that has to do with my objective this time around.[/SIZE] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal]I found the [spoiler]Cave of Ordeals [/spoiler] and based on what I read in this thread once I realized where I was I left since I understand I won?t even be able to get to the end until much later in the game. However, getting to the point where you find out that you are in the [spoiler]Cave of Ordeals opened up having fairies at one of the springs. [/spoiler] But what was really cute was when I was just standing there in the spring watching them fly about for a moment, one of them [spoiler] landed on Link?s hat and just sat there perched on his head while flapping it?s wings. It was sooo Cute! [/spoiler] I just love how this game has things like this in it. [/COLOR] :catgirl:

[COLOR=Teal]Well school has kept me from playing this as much as I would have liked, but I?ve still squeezed in enough playing to have finally finished the fourth dungeon. And to do some exploring on the side. The boss fights for both the third and fourth dungeon were downright fun to play, the third with it?s larger than life aspect and the fourth with the new [spoiler]spinner. I love the spinner! [/spoiler] But what?s cracked me up the most is when I went into the [spoiler]town next to the castle and played the Star game to get an upgrade for your arrows so you can carry more. [/spoiler] It was too funny how when Link [spoiler] leaves the tent after winning he has fan girls ogling him, and the way they swoon if you talk to them and then leave hearts and run away screaming is priceless. [/spoiler] And now any time I enter the town in that area they [spoiler]stalk Link! LOL! [/spoiler] Anyway, now I?m off to tackle the fifth dungeon! :catgirl: [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][QUOTE=DeathKnight][color=crimson]That's good because the government gives you the benefit of the doubt back all the time. The mutual trust and respect between both parties is inspiring.[/color][/QUOTE]Oh you! *pinches DeathKnight* Just for that I?m adding you to my buddy list! :p Seriously though I meant it. I'm not even going to try and address all the shortcomings my government has. From the corruption to the greed to the helping big businesses gouge the regular person. I like having a positive outlook on life because if you get too caught up in always doubting everything, it's too easy to overlook the good things. And if you want me to name one, my favorite thing in the whole world, the library. Sure that may be local instead of federal, but it still means I get to check out books to my hearts content as I could never afford to buy all of them. And it?s all due to my local government. :catgirl:[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][quote name='Retribution][size=1']You said it yourself, that mankind is full of flaws, and one of these is the ability to murder. Therefore Hussein was a flawed human. You also admit the efficacy of jailing him, yet you also look positively upon the use of capital punishment. I can only assume that this is vengeance, if punishment and isolation and be dealt with prison and you still support his execution.[/size][/quote]I said he deserved it not that I want Capital Punishment to be considered acceptable. There?s a big difference between thinking someone?s crimes are horrible enough to consider the Death penalty and outright supporting it for all horrible crimes. You may not see the difference, but it?s clear to me. [QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]I think a right to dignity is an inherent component of being human. It's not an excuse to lock him up; it's easier on the conscience to just kill him, I must admit, he's a despicable person. It's easier to give in and execute him rather than jail him, because humans can be extremely vengeful creatures. An eye for an eye is basically what we have here in 2007, and that's what they had during Hammurabi's time. Look how far we've come![/size][/QUOTE] It?s not the same, because in Hammurabi?s time death was the common punishment instead of being one that is rarely used like it is today. The percentages of how many people are locked up instead of executed show this. Your example in my opinion is completely out of whack and does not reflect a trend of us going back to that stage of an eye for an eye. You and I are going to disagree on this and I say instead of arguing back and forth we leave it at that. [quote name='Retribution][size=1]Do note that Saddam's trial was probably not fair. That's not to say that he didn't do what he was accused of, but the entire proceedings could very well have been compromised to get him executed faster (as it's my understanding those 70 years old and above can't be executed in Iraq, and he was 69. I might be wrong, though). [/size][/QUOTE]I don?t know if it was fair or not since I don?t know enough about Iraq to make an informed opinion. And I?ve no idea if the thing about being 70 means life in jail is true either. [QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]But I think Saddam's execution [i]does[/i] mark a step backwards if we are to follow your logic (which I do agree with).[/size][/QUOTE]Again you and I are not going to agree on this. A single example is not an indication of regression or going backwards when it is not happening on a big scale. It may feel like a step backwards, but that?s all it is a feeling. (in my opinion that is) [QUOTE=Retribution][size=1']Always be skeptical of your government. Never give them the benefit of the doubt.[/size][/quote] I give everyone the benefit of the doubt even if it is my own government. :p[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][quote name='Retribution][size=1']If they cannot cease to be human, then they are entitled to human dignity and respect, no matter how deplorable they are. I don't believe you can stop being human because you killed people.[/size][/quote]I?m talking on a psychological level here not physical. If people really couldn?t stop being human or humane then murders and killing wouldn?t happen. But mankind is full of flaws like greed, apathy and an unwillingness to accept that they are flawed and they destroy other things in response. It?s like a disease without a cure, for the more extreme cases. We can isolate it and put the people in little cells to keep them from ever doing it again, but it doesn?t stop people from being that way. I disagree with you on this because there are people who have become so conditioned to doing horrible things that they see nothing wrong with it and if you really do believe in dignity and respect it?s something they no longer have, even towards themselves. And even that concept is something we came up with, it?s not a fact it?s a way of thinking or a principle that we want to believe because we can then excuse horrible behavior and simply turn our backs once they are locked away. And for the most part that?s just fine. [quote name='Retribution][size=1]In a sense, you are barbaric if you kill someone. By killing a killer, the state tells the citizens implicitly that killing is justified. By killing a killer, you're stopping violence with more violence. By killing a killer, you are in a sense taking a step thousands of years backward to Hammurabi's Code.[/size][/QUOTE]Honestly Retribution, killing Saddam doesn?t even come close to being like Hammurabi?s Code. Our system of giving people a trial is a far cry from how easy that code would have allowed someone to be accused and then put to death. It?s so far out of whack that it?s not even a valid example as we are a very long way from being in that state. The fact that so many countries and states are doing away with the Death Penalty shows that we are going forward and not backwards in that respect. [QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]How convenient. I can't think of a single reason where someone would deserve capital punishment.[/size][/QUOTE]I said I felt he deserved it not that he actually should be put to death. I really don?t agree with the death penalty but when it?s used on extreme cases I?m not going to get all upset either since it?s not the same as applying such a rule to all criminals who murder or kill others. [QUOTE=Retribution][size=1']lol, I think you trust the government too much.[/size][/quote]Of course! :p I?m not going to automatically assume they?ve done so without some form of proof. I?m sure they have, but as I said, to my knowledge they have not. Though I?m sure someone could prove me wrong on that.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][quote name='Retribution][size=1']Does a person cease being human solely because he's a mass murderer? If he's a mass murderer, does that give you the right to discriminate his case from just a "normal" killer? At what point does that line blur? And if you say killing a mass murderer is alright because he "deserves it," would you support torturing him because he deserves it"?[/size][/quote]Technically no one can ever cease to be a human, but I think on a psychological level they can. At what point do we keep pretending that someone who is a mass murderer even is human in that respect? I hear the same argument about how life is precious from people and that we have no right to take it and yet in extreme cases they act as if we will be barbaric if we execute those who truly have committed terrible crimes. But there are those who have long since crossed the line of respecting human life and have been the cause of killing many people like Saddam did. At that point they no longer deserve any respect from others. They have become monsters who appear to be human. And if they have reached that point, on some level I think they deserve the Death Penalty. I'm not talking about torture for the simple reason I can't think of a single reason where someone would deserve it. And I don't think it really applies since we have never, to my knowledge, tortured someone before they were imprisoned or executed. [quote name='The Boss][color=darkred][size=1]I think what Aaryana's trying to say is that the death penalty should be reserved for extreme cases such as Saddam. [/color'][/size][/quote]That and since it is such an extreme case I can understand why people would think he deserved the death penalty instead of being locked away for life.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][QUOTE=Gavin][SIZE=1]Probably the latter rather than the former, it's sad to think how easily influenced the poor kid could be to try and act out a hanging after seeing it. Maybe this story might convince some of those die-hard [no pun intended] death penalty supporters to rethink their position, it's not likely but it might give them something to think about. What you'll probably get is some bad joke about how even after he's dead, Saddam can still kill people. [/SIZE][/QUOTE]Then we should also use the same logic to get rid of guns since kids see stuff on TV, don't realized the danger and play with them and some end up dead when they accidentally shoot the other kid they are playing with. My mom even knows several parents who have lost a kid to this type of accident, even though the parents in question kept the guns locked up. The kids found a way to get into the cabinet anyway so they could act out those apparently cool gunfights they?ve seen on TV. It's a good idea, but I can't help but think it's flawed. I don't agree with the Death Penalty, but at the same time when it's applied to someone who is a mass murderer, at that point I'm thinking they deserved it.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal]The problem I see with combining OB Anthology with the Adventure square is that unless you have some sort of tag to say which is which, then it will make it next to impossible to know which are RPG,'s which are just stories and which ones are poetry, etc. You'd have to look at each one individually. Obviously the ratings are ineffective and getting rid of them is a good idea since they aren't serving their purpose, and if the code allows you could simply take the Underground and make it a sub-form like the Adventure in is. These points have already been made and I agree with them since the less active OB Anthology section would be buried by the Adventure square which in comparision is far more active. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][quote name='indifference][COLOR=DarkRed]I bet 100 OtakuBucks that [B]DeathKnight [/B']will take first. :p[/COLOR][/quote]Traitor! :nono: It's obvious that Desbreko is going to take first! And I bet 100 OtakuBucks to that effect! [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal]I?d like to voice a concern I have over Sandy?s response to Shy?s latest questions and assignments. The answer to assignment one and the questions were in my opinion excellently handled. And that's not what I'm worried about. My concern actually lies with assignment two and how it seems to be just another Survivor RPG, something that Sandy has done in the past, and closely mirrors the idea of only one making it out just like Labyrinth did. I?d like to know how this latest event he is proposing is even original. Not in the sense of it took time to modify it to work online or how it?s different from the previous Survivor games, but in that it?s already been done many times here at OB. James even specifically mentioned ideas on how we could have more variety in the events as you can see here: [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=756817&postcount=70][B][COLOR=Teal][U]POST[/U][/COLOR][/B][/URL] So my concern really comes down to this question, [B]Can [I]either[/I] contestant come up with something a little more original[/B]? I'm not trying to mean here. >_< I think it's a valid concern, unless I'm the only one who thinks this. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][quote name='Tekkaman] [font=Palatino Linotype][size=2]They didn't have to record it on a cell phone and get it 'released' later on though (Whether the footage was stolen or not, I don't know). Watching the noose being wrapped around his neck while his own people mocked him... [/font'][/size][/quote]I was going on this: [INDENT]Rikabi said cell phones and cameras were collected from witnesses after the execution in an attempt to prevent such an incident.[/INDENT] Which was in this article in the paper here in Utah: [URL=http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/205685/]Article[/URL] Which if you read further indicates that they had no intention of releasing the video in that manner. They apparently were only going to release enough to verify to others that the person who was executed was indeed Saddam. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Teal][quote name='Retribution][size=1]Part of me believes that if you support the death penalty, you should watch what you're asking for. Kind of like how cops have to take mace to the eyes before being authorized to use it, just so they know how it feels on a human being.[/size][/QUOTE][QUOTE=Retribution][size=1']No, I think you're right. Except instead of just limiting the use of capital punishment, it might be a means of ending it. But having people understanding what they're asking for is rarely a bad thing.[/size][/quote]Making it a requirement to watch what happens when someone is put to death isn't the answer to getting rid of the Death Penalty. If that were true, all the videos and pictures of what happens to people during war would have ended wars a very long time ago. Since those are usually far more violent and people still find reasons to fight and kill others. I doubt that showing executions would really make any difference. I'm not for the Death Penalty, and at the same time I can understand why Saddam was executed, as he was responsible for killing so many people. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]It had been nearly a week since Crystal had voiced her concerns to High Command, but other than a brief reply along the lines that she had her orders, she had heard nothing else. Within a week she would be in sector thirteen and nearly prepared for what they wished her to do. Sometimes she wished she was back to just being a regular doctor, but ever since she had specialized in genetics she had been pretty much told she was working for the military whether she liked it or not. She sighed. Normally she just ignored her orders, as they were stupid anyway, not that she didn?t do what she was told, she just did it how she felt like doing it. But this time High Command was firm in that it was going to be done their way. And if the person in question wasn?t the sister of the human Jason, she probably wouldn?t have cared. But on some level she kind of felt sorry for them and what they had in mind, though useful, was in her opinion cruel and inhumane. Irritated by her train of thought she got up and with a short order to her sub-commander to take over she left the bridge. This time she was too caught up in thinking about her orders to really pay attention to the crew as they went about their duties. The still had the same questioning look of why she was in command, but she didn?t care. Ignoring them she headed straight for her quarters and then pulled up the information at her workstation. [I]Maybe I?ll get lucky and the resistance will have already picked her up[/I]. She thought with irritation. [I]Then I can do real research instead of the equivalent of pulling the wings off of an insect just to see it squirm. [/I] Because in her opinion, having someone who didn?t understand genetics pulling the shots was a fool who shouldn?t have even been allowed to be created in the first place. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]I love that picture Sara. ^_^ As for the question, I've never had a nightmare become a reality. Most of the ones I do have are just a weird mix of things in the past or from shows I wished I hadn't seen. For the most part I just dream, I always remember at least one when I wake up but that's about it. And so far not a one of them whether a nightmare or just a regular dream has ever come true. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]I?d do what Rachmaninoff says, I?d ask a lawyer if you are old enough to decide for yourself and if not at what age can you decide. I?d also find out if you can challenge your mom?s decision. I wouldn?t know what to tell you since I don?t know what the laws are for custody. I know my mom has custody of me and supposedly I?m suppose to spend the summer with my dad, but we live in the same area and I visit him all the time so we never follow the court rules that I have to live with him. So it?s never been an issue.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]I wish I had more money so I could go to college instead of High School for 2007. >_< Other than that my goals are almost always the same, discover new authors and get in lots of hiking, reading and fun times with my friends. I also want to learn how to do Swedish weaving next year too. ^_^ And though it?s still 2006 for me, Happy New Year everyone! ^_~[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]If it were my last day to live, well first of all I?d [spoiler]steal an online kiss from Des since I've wanted to do that for a long time![/spoiler] :p Then I?d resign and then wander off to do things with friends or just watch a movie or play video games so my dog can just curl up on my lap like she always does. I?d try to not be depressed, but I don?t know if I would actually manage it. Also, I?d skip my homework too. The fun part is seeing what grade you got, so if I?m not going to be around to see it, then why bother? [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]My number one hobby is reading. ^_^ And going to the library since I can?t just go and buy books all the time. My day just wouldn?t feel right if I haven?t read something. My other hobby is walking and playing with my dog. I just love doing stuff with her. That?s my favorite part about coming home from school or anything else as she?s always so eager to see me again. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]Thanks for posting the chart! I was wondering about the sectors too. ^_^ As for it being the best chart. Feh! You worry too much. It a good simple representation of the planets and their location in relation to other sectors, so it?s perfect! ^_~[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]There was a message waiting for Crystal when she woke up. It wasn?t tagged as urgent so instead of immediately seeing what it was, she ignored it in favor of taking a quick shower to wake up. She sighed, since she had taken command of the Tempest she had quickly learned that quite a few of the messages sent her way could have easily been handled by her sub-commander. Maybe other commanders enjoyed handling all the details, but she did not. Once she was finished with her current mission she was going to make sure High Command knew exactly how much she felt her current position was a waste of her time. Once she was finished and had gotten ready for the day, yes another boring day of sitting on the bridge instead of working in sickbay, she went over to the computer terminal by her bed to see what the message was. It was from High Command, puzzled as to why it wasn?t tagged as urgent she opened it up and began to read. Her eyes opening wide with surprise as she read it. [I]They want me to do what? [/I]She thought. [I]Are they stupid? Why her? And why Earth? Good grief![/I] ?[B]Stupid damn military idiots![/B]? She muttered under her breath as she sent off her reply indicating she had received her orders. She thought about it for a moment and then sent another reply detailing the problems with the order they had just given her.[I] If those idiots really want to do research along that nature, they need to let me pick the candidates to ensure a more broad and valid response. [/I]She thought irritably. Obviously who ever had issued those orders knew next to nothing about genetics. With a sigh she sent the second message and turned her terminal off. Crystal left her quarters and headed for the bridge, nodding politely to the crewmembers that greeted her. She could see it in their eyes, the same doubt she herself felt, wondering why a doctor was in charge of a battleship instead of a medical one. About the only good thing was that since she was no longer working in sickbay she could devote a lot of her time spent on the bridge to reading up on medical journals and all the current changes. In addition to reading up on tactics and other aspects of command as well, she didn?t think she would need it, but she?d rather not look totally ignorant to her sub-commander. At the last moment she remembered she needed to stop by sickbay and talk to Alex before going to the bridge. She needed to give him some specific instructions from High Command and she?d rather tell him in person instead of simply forwarding the information. If nothing else it would calm her nerves to talk to him, as he would at least understand her misgivings in regards to her new assignment. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]Ah, the question about drugs and drinking. I think it?s obvious about drugs since the illegal ones are bad for you. And like Rachmaninoff also pointed out, many of the prescription ones aren?t that great either. Like the wonderful chemo ones to treat cancer, it?s a gamble as to which is going to get you first. Alcohol gets a bad rap due to the people who abuse it, but I?m pretty sure there are plenty of people who don?t. And even then people who get wasted so to speak, so long as they aren?t doing anything foolish like driving, well in the end it?s their choice. It?s kind of pointless to be against drugs or alcohol when the better course of action would be to have stricter laws against those who do the foolish stuff like driving when they are drunk. Alcohol isn?t going to go anywhere, you try to take it away and people will just find a way to make it. But in America the laws are far too lenient towards those who are caught drinking and driving. So I?d rather support stricter punishment instead of worrying about drinking in general. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red][quote name='DeathKnight][color=crimson']That doesn't always change with age, especially with guys.[/color][/quote]I was afraid of that. :animesigh Somehow I just can't imagine them being any less annoying once they get older. But hopefully by then I'll meet other guys at college since they won't all be from the same High School. ;) And until then I'll be perfectly happy having great days without being kissed by a guy. Something that I still don't understand what the big deal is anyway. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red][quote name='Rachmaninoff'] As for the girl, that?s another topic altogether on how to get the girl you are interested in. I was proposing it as a hypothetical scenario of what I would consider a near perfect moment. Kissing a girl who you think is perfect.[/quote]I could propose the same thing in desiring to kiss the perfect guy. But since most of them that are my age are immature brats, I'd rather die. So I'll wait on that one. Especially since the nice older guys usually aren't interested in someone my age, which is fine since I'm considered jail bait anyway. :animesigh My idea of a great day is in the summer, laying outside on a blanket in the shade reading a good book while my dog wanders around checking things out. Or going hiking up in the mountains. ^_^ I love those type of days! [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Red]Can I do the happy dance of I finally have Zelda for the GameCube? :catgirl: I got it for Christmas and I spent most of yesterday and today playing it. Not only is Link a cutie in the newest game, but the entire game is simply beautiful! I just love how things look. The rupees have a really pretty look; the characters in the game have such fun expressions. And the part where the [spoiler] cat runs off with your fish and Link is dumbfounded is just too cute! [/spoiler] It was slow getting started, but once it sucked you in, you were hooked! And the different look between the [spoiler] regular world and one bathed in the light of the twilight was fun! I loved how things looked so different with the lighting and colors. [/spoiler] The fights may not be super difficult but they are lots of fun. I love playing as a wolf and I love the way Link moves when he?s using his sword. The way he [spoiler] puts his sword away with all the fancy swinging is kind of cute too. [/spoiler] Hehe, I?ve been pretty obsessed and I?m about to enter the third dungeon, I?m really looking forward to it after how much fun the new fighting skills are and the way you navigated the two dungeons. I just adore the [spoiler] gale boomerang and using the boots to walk on ceilings was fun too. [/spoiler] But so far the part I giggled at the most was when [spoiler] Link was shirtless to learn his new fighting technique! Hehe! Cute, cute?and even cuter! [/spoiler] :catgirl: I?m really glad I don?t have school for another week. I?m having too much fun playing Zelda![/COLOR]