Allamorph

The figure that stepped through the door was a woman�s: tall and slender, with a well-toned physique only partially masked by the precise contours of her black and drab-green uniform. The collar of her square-shouldered waist-length jacket was turned over and pinned smoothly in place, exposing a triangle of sharply contrasting white, and her well-pressed slacks, trimmed at the seam in green, fell smoothly down her legs and over a pair of polished black leather dress boots; it was obviously a dress uniform, designed explicitly for visual impact. The stern gaze of her dark eyes and her equally impassive features matched the uniform perfectly, and her ebony hair was tied back in an austere pony tail, away from her shoulders. No loose strands were allowed to fall over the olive skin of her face, as if that too were a part of her dress and so must be strictly controlled. She wore no sidearm. She cleared the door in two decisive strides and stopped, here eyes flitting over the chamber before settling on the smirking prisoner, who had remained seated against the cell�s far wall, right arm resting casually on his one raised knee. For a second she seemed to appraise him, like so much additional cargo that despite any repugnance must still be undamaged, and then she drew a small object from her right pocket and held it in front of her. The object gave two rapid blue winks, then emitted a bright flash that lit up the entire half of the cell and caused the prisoner to blink involuntarily at the sudden assault on his eyes. The woman glanced quickly at the device and, apparently satisfied at the result, put her second finger to the mic resting in her left ear. �Prisoner identity confirmed. Subject is Jared Scorer, as requested; proceeding with transfer.� The words were terse, cold, and businesslike; the woman no longer looked at her �cargo�, clearly no longer concerned with it now that its validity had been established. �Thank you, lieutenant commander,� Sauvage�s voice replied. �Notify me when Scorer is secured.� �Yes, sir.� Lieutenant Commander Salier returned her brusque attention to Jared. Pocketing the device, she motioned curtly for him to rise. �On your feet, Scorer. Time to move.� Jared�s smirk, which had faltered briefly, returned as he rose smoothly to his feet. �Yes, ma�am,� he said in exaggerated condescension. He stepped forward casually, approaching the doorway with a smooth, sure stride. �Left down the corridor, and walk until told otherwise,� answered Salier, ignoring the obvious jibe. �Failure to comply will not be tolerated.� Jared�s only indication that the command had registered was a small derisive snort. Salier followed him through the door at a small interval, and it closed behind her. After a few moments, Sauvage spoke again. �I�ve been told that the prisoner has been successfully transferred. I give you my personal assurance that we will have the information you requested as soon as possible.� �Thank you,� said William. �Of course, sir.� �How is the new addition, by the way?� William continued. �I trust it meets with your specifications?� Sauvage�s answering tone was pleased. �The Zenith is en route to meet it as we speak, sir; no doubt it will already be back and halfway through testing protocol by the time the Chevalier rejoins us.� He paused. �I appreciate the cooperation you�ve shown us in the matter,� he added. �The addition of the Melisande will greatly increase our ability to secure information and resources.� �Naturally,� William replied. �And that in turn will allow us to be more effective, so there is really no reason for me to hamper your motions, is there?� �As you say, sir. However, much as I would like to continue this conversation, I do not like to spend more time on the same relays than necessary; and the longer we dally, the longer your information eludes you. I have instructed the Chevalier to break formation, and I will contact you again shortly.� �Very well. I look forward to your results.� �Yes, sir. Sauvage out.� The connection was severed; Williams scans showed that the Chevalier was almost out of range.

[font=Arial]Yes, guys, this is completely legit. [/font][font=Arial] [/font][font=Arial] Here, by special request, is:[/font] [size=3][b][u]Name:[/u][/b] Aldric Sauvage [b][u]Age:[/u][/b] 86 [b][u]Gender:[/u][/b] Male [b][u]Race:[/u][/b] Versilan [b][u]Loyalty:[/u][/b] Resistance [b][u]Occupation:[/u][/b] Head of Intelligence/Black Ops [b][u]Appearance:[/u][/b] [font=Courier New]classified[/font] [b][u]Skills/Training:[/u][/b] [font=Courier New]classified[/font] [b][u]Biography:[/u][/b] [font=Courier New]classified[/font][/size] [font=Arial]And I have me a new toy to play with. Sorry about not telling any of you, but we like our surprises. Ta.[/font]

[FONT=Arial]Young man, you look like my son....[/FONT]

[CENTER][FONT="Arial"]Speaks for itself. [IMG]http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/donttazeme128419682591177500.jpg[/IMG] And for the record, my initial reaction to the whole deal about that was a little odd, but it had been a strange day, and I was not totally with it.[/FONT][/CENTER]

[FONT=Arial]I think the main difference between anime voice actors and those for studios such as Pixar is that most anime is done in a template style, where two males could have their distinguishing features completely swapped and look just like the other, whereas Pixar goes to some length to put a bit of the actor's face into the rendered character. With that in mind, I don't really view any voice actors as ugly, just real. And to the other aspect, Christian Bale has solidified himself as one of my favorite actors. Johnny Depp is getting there, what since I rather enjoyed his portrayal of Willy Wonka and I just noticed some rather Richard Dean Anderson-esque traits in his Jack Sparrow character. And [COLOR="DarkRed"]Kaede[/COLOR]'s avatar pretty well describes my initial reaction to the caps in the opening post.[/FONT]

[quote name='Zen][color=royalblue][size=1]Extreme Music is catergorized as forms of music that use elements that the average mainstream fan might find unappealing or even repulsive. Genres include hardcore punk, death metal, metalcore, grindcore, noise, and others.[/color'][/size][/quote] [FONT=Arial]Before this goes much farther, I just want to remind people that the "average mainstream music fan" generally holds the Classical genre in a high degree of contempt. The same people may also be repulsed by Jazz. It all depends on your upbringing. Now then. Feel free to completely disregard everything I just said, and carry on. :)[/FONT]

[quote name='Sabrina][FONT="Tahoma"][FONT="Arial"]Arial on the other hand, just looks like some skinny thing that would fall over given a chance.[/FONT'] :D[/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Arial]Dad-gum it, my secret's out.[/FONT]

[quote name='Rachmaninoff]You?re also missing what I?m saying here, [B]those are the reasons why I would not vote yes[/B] for it being legalized. [B']Whether you agree with it or not is irrelevant.[/B][/quote] [FONT=Arial]This is exactly why I wonder at the continuation of this thread. Four resurrections, and we [I]still[/I] can't grasp the idea that some people use it, some people don't, some people don't give a flying monkey's arse, and [I]there is never going to be a case made for it.[/I] Apparently the fact that it's illegal [U]and[/U] that people are doing it anyway without being caught is enough reason in and of itself to just not bother at all. If you want to find the gaps in the system to exploit, and if you can find them, and if so far life has been blowing you roses for it, then why [I]oh why[/I] are we wasting our breath on this subject? I see the same situation here as I saw back in high school with the dress code. People are chafing at an arbitrary rule that they do not understand, when all it is is an attempt to protect those people who are completely irresponsible and who otherwise would be incapable of coming to a public venue in aught else but their lingerie?or in this case, who are the ones who turn marijuana into a gateway drug. Of [I]course[/I] there are people who can regulate themselves, but those people also have the brains not to get caught breaking the rule, so what's the big deal here?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Locusts and honey, guys. Locusts and honey is where it's at. Hey, it worked for John the Baptist. :p[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Please forgive me, because in this post I'm going to go decidedly mental. [quote name='Mykul']I think that answers the question a little too well.[/quote] Again, forgive my seeming obtuseness, but how exactly is that possible? Is there such a thing as cutting too close to the heart of a problem? Or are we a little leery of getting its blood on our hands? :p About the taxes ... just makin' sure. And now I know we're on the same page. [quote name='Indi][COLOR=Indigo']Allamorph, mental depravity doesn't really address the problem correctly. It's an oversimplification of the overall issue.[/COLOR][/quote] Again, how is that possible? Think of it this way instead: all roads lead to Rome. I don't feel the need to waste time pointing out each and every individual flaw in existence when I can already see the one gushing wound that, if healed, would make all the other menial scratches a breeze to fix. So it's not that "mental depravity" describes or is a symptom of that particular problem that I mentioned. It's that, of all the ones I've looked at, and all the ones I [I]hadn't[/I] looked at until others have mentioned them here, the single root cause each time is mental depravity. And that depravity is not limited solely to what you deal with on a regular basis. The absence of a desire to use the mind is just as much a mark of depravity as is the desire to bend the mind to ill use; and likewise is the use of the mind for the sake of its own usage depraved as well. So "oversimplification"? No, I think that's kind of impossible. However, I will readily admit that I aim for [I]total[/I] simplification. And [COLOR=Indigo]Indi[/COLOR], you know me. I think about [I]everything[/I] seriously. (^_^)[/FONT]

[quote name='Mykul][B]Addendum:[/B'] If this thread gets closed because it's already been done, I'll lose my mind.[/quote] [FONT=Arial]Heh. No worries, then. (^_^) ------------------ Pilot; Navigator. Sighted dame. Sank same.[/FONT]

[quote name='Matt']Woah, what a coincidence! I read Wizard's First Rule back in fall, and I am now also reading Stone of Tears. We must be kindred spirits. :p[/quote] [FONT=Arial]Like a good deal of musical acquisitions posted of in the Amphitheater, that little happening [I]also[/I] came at my recommendation. Unfortunately, my inadequate library has stymied me and I cannot progress farther than [I][U]Blood of the Fold[/U][/I] until the fourth book reappears, so [COLOR=Indigo]Indi[/COLOR] will probably surpass me very shortly. For the record, the Mord-Sith become extraordinarily entertaining in [I][U]Blood of the Fold[/U][/I]. Right now, though, I am completing [I][U]Shadow of the Hegemon[/U][/I], which I now remember starting but doubt I finished. After that, I'm moving on to [I][U]The Bourne Identity[/U][/I], which I really need to read.[/FONT]

[quote name='Zen][color=royalblue][size=1]May I say "**** all of you".[/color'][/size][/quote] [FONT=Arial]No you may not, as that would be redundant. And to back up my claim may I present [URL="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/Cybernator/ImFreakinPerfect001.jpg"][COLOR="Blue"]Exhibit A[/COLOR][/URL]. Technically you [I]could[/I], of course, but that would just mean you are a parrot. Also, I [I]never[/I] forget what you people look like. [ha, irony][/FONT]

[quote name='Mykul][U']Yup, definitely tired of Zen trying to show off abs that aren't there...[/U][/quote] [FONT=Arial]Well, you got the abs, he's got the fingers. [I]*shot*[/I][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]I dunno, you guys. I think we've already hashed (lol-pun) this subject to death. I mean, to my knowledge there have been not [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=58381"][COLOR="Blue"]one[/COLOR][/URL], not [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=43368"][COLOR="Blue"]two[/COLOR][/URL], not [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=45463"][COLOR="Blue"]three[/COLOR][/URL], but [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=15143"][COLOR="Blue"][I]four[/I][/COLOR][/URL] threads on this already, and that's completely disregarding any threads I'm not aware of personally. So although I'm not in any way questioning the validity of this discussion, I can't help but ask what purpose it will serve? The question's been had, guys. Or are our memories that poor? :p[/FONT]

[CENTER][IMG]http://www.marriedtothesea.com/092507/retirement-plan.gif[/IMG] [FONT="Arial"]Oh, those silly e-mail scams. :animesmil Get ya every time.[/FONT][/CENTER]

[quote name='Desbreko][color=#4B0082']Your mom is fat! :o[/color][/quote] [CENTER][FONT=Arial]Indeed?[/FONT] [IMG]http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/funny-pictures-evil-cute-kitten-hands.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]

[quote name='KimmehWolfwood']I got the funniest mental images ever from that. Thank you.[/quote] [FONT=Arial]I aim to please. 'Cept when doing that is stupid. Then I don't. :p[/FONT]

[quote name='Mykul']But the cost of living is really just the tip of the iceberg, the mask that hides the true problem: taxes. Taxes are just one step closer to communism. Taxes are the reason that, in pure economic terms, The United States of America cannot be classified as having a true capitalist economic system. Income tax, hidden tax, sales tax...they are the reasons why prices simply go up and up.[/quote] [FONT=Arial]Spoken like the uninitiated. Taxes are the only means any government has to pay for the services it is [B]supposed to[/B] provide to its citizens. It cannot fund itself, so it draws money from its constituents to pay for necessary things that by themselves the constituents might not ever pay for. Say a road needs to be built between City A and City B. City A might use it, but then again they might not, and not everyone in the city would be willing to pay for or provide the labor for a commodity they won't use. The same might be true of City B. But if the State government decides to build it, they will ensure that everyone pays for it, through taxes. Ideally, that's what the government is supposed to exist as: an elected body of citizens who make large-scale decisions for the people they represent. So the issue isn't [I]really[/I] Taxes. The issue is the malappropriation of funds generated by taxes by a body of people who are now extremely detached from those people whom they are supposed to represent. The issue is an untrustworthy government, a people who's mistrust has devolved into collective apathy, and thus a government that is not being told what to do (except by special interest groups). The issue is mental depravity.[/FONT]

[QUOTE=KimmehWolfwood]Psst. Alla, it's [B][I]Riza[/I][/B]. :3[/QUOTE] [FONT=Arial]I will now kill the person who told me "Riza" was incorrect. Moderately slowly. [strike]...since I [I]am[/I] a Moderator, and what.[/strike][/FONT]

[quote name='Rachmaninoff']Something I'm sure is Allamorph's fault since it usually is. :p [/quote] [FONT=Arial]It is. In other news, I need some REM and REO Speedwagon. And probably some Nina. But I was in an Evanescence mood earlier today, so I hit up with their [B]Fallen[/B] album.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Funnily enough, I posted just like I do now when I joined. It was only two years ago, really, but I'm still as pithy, sarcastic, and [insert adjective] as I was then. I [I]did[/I] initially start posting in Tahoma, but I switched to Arial really quick because [FONT=Tahoma]Tahoma is just fat.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Same thing with Verdana.[/FONT] So yeah.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]For the record, I absolutely hated that ridiculous attire. Felt more like a Halloween event than a grand occasion. Although those poor saps who can't figure out how to wear their caps right always make me outright laugh. It seriously looks like they're wearing some sort of glorified Kippah. (Jewish skull cap) It's also really bad if you have a large forehead and wear the hat too far back; seems like you should be renting the space for advertising.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Riva Hawkeye. 'Cause she doesn't take your crap. Unless she likes you. And then she just rolls her eyes.[/FONT]

[quote name='Panache']Does anyone know of a tbs game silimar to fire emblem for the DS?[/quote] [FONT=Arial]You could try looking for a DS version of [B]Advance Wars[/B], which is similar to FE in terms of combat mechanics. I personally prefer FE because of the sheer intimacy the player can achieve with his units, as opposed to Advance Wars where if you lose a battalion you have the option to rebuild it. Sometimes I wonder if the only reason FE isn't a massively acclaimed series yet is because Western gamers haven't got the patience to play it. But that's irrelevant to the thread. Also, look into [B]Mario Kart DS[/B]. I've heard better things about it than about Double Dash, so it might be worth a shot.[/FONT]