
1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
2 ************************ INSTALLED: 18 JUN 86 ***********************
3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System)  Mike Day System operator
4 ************************************************************
5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION
6                     PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM.
7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privately owned
8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public.
9 no restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is
10 privately owned, I retain thepright to remove any and all messages which
11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be
12 periodically purged of messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved)
13 to leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the
14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the
15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace
16 The line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up.
17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system.
18 *************************************************************************
19 
20 Deflower...Deflower...Deflower...Deflower...Deflower...Deflower...Deflower..
21 there - I did it and I'm glad.  Do you still respect me?
22 
23 =======================
24 Another Vir=
25 Bites the Dust        =
26 =======================
27 
28 Dumb...really dumb.
29 
30 Hell...that's what you get when you've got Enter Only. Nobody takes the
31 time to put in really well thought out entries. Sheezam.
32 
33      BHAGWAN WAS HERE.
34 
35 |_|-|\|-_/|_ OFFICIAL BHAGWAN MARKER |_|-|\|-_/|_|_|-|\|-_/|-_/|/|\-/|_|-
36 PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
37 OMIGOD! THE BHAGWAN! YOU`RE HANGING OUT HERE SINCE THEY KICKED YOU OUT OF 
38 EVERY TWO BIT COUNTRY AND MUNINCIPALITY?
39 
40 YESSS MY CHILDREN, COME REVEL IN THE THE GLORY THAT IS BHAGWAN. TYPING 
41 MESSAGES IS NOT WORK IT IS WORSHIP, BY THE WAY I^M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER FULL
42 TIME AID ANYONE INTERESTED? GOOD SALARY OF TAX-FREE CHURCH FUNDS AND I`LL
43 THROW IN A HOUSE WITH IT`^S OWN UNDERGROUND TUNNEL SYSTEM!
44 
45     SEND APPLICATIONS TO:
46 
47    ENLIGHTENED ONE
48    ASHRAM 5
49    BACKWATER MESSAGE SYSTEM
50 
51 
52 ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
53 
54 YOU'RE APOSTROPHE REALLY SUCKS!
55 
56  JoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshua
57     As I entered the briefing room, I saw I wasn't the first one there.  Seated
58 near the back of the room was a familiar bulk, straining the folding chair he
59 occupied.  "Good afternoon, Joshua," he said.  "Greetings, Ian," I replied as I
60 kicked a chair around to face him.  "I'm honored.  Being briefed by the high
61 muckamuck hisself.  Is anyone else coming, or am I it?" 
62 Ignoring my sarcasm, Ian rose heavily, moved to the door, and locked it.
63 "As you say, you're 'it'.  The situation is both critical and touchy, so we
64 can't afford to have it too widely known.  Just you and a few other key
65 operatives, such as parity and Fellows.  They're already in the field, checking
66 out leads.  You'll be put in touch with them to coordinate your efforts when we
67 finish up here."
68 I was starting to fidget.  Ian, as usual, was circling around the subject,
69 telling me everything I might need to know except what the basic problem was.
70 I knew by now that it would do no good to interrupt him or try to hurry him
71 along - in both size and temperment he resembled a glacier - slow but
72 inexorable.  Finally, though, he got to the point.  "One of my android doubles,
73 the ones you take such perverse delight in destroying, has malfunctioned."
74 Ian's eyes glinted as he said this.  "It apparently believes it truly is me.
75 It has taken documents which would be of value to it on the outside, and it has
76 effectively disappeared.  You can see why we want to keep this as quiet as
77 possible.  Most of our own people aren't aware of the android's existence, and
78 if word got out to the intelligence community, we would lose much credibility.
79 Parity is a good all-round agent, and you have several times proven your, ahem,
80 ability, to deal with the androids.  It is imperative that we take care of this
81 matter as quickly and quietly as possible."
82     I was stunned.  Ian's androids were incredibly capable machines.  They were
83 fully autonomous after being given basic instructions.  They were faster and
84 stronger than human, and could logically outthink us, although we still had the
85 intuitive edge.  They had numerous built-in weapons.  The fact that there was a
86 wild one loose who-knows-where doing god-knows-what scared me.  Sure, I had
87 managed to destroy a few, but those were in contrived setups, where I had had
88 a chance to lay some groundwork based on known routines.  They were also
89 experimental models. This one was for real, and I didn't like the odds one bit.
90     Ian continued, "I have had a file prepared detailing all the pertinent 
91 information regarding the android's offensive and defensive capabilities, along
92 with some engineering data that might provide insight into any potential points
93 of attack."  He handed a folder to me as he sat back down next to me, his chair
94 groaning protestingly.  As I scanned through the sheets, Ian asked, "do you see
95 anything that might be useful?"
96 "Nothing offhand that'll make it any easier."  The dossier listed the few
97 differences between Ian and the androids, such as the android's extra weight,
98 and the fact that the androids actually spoke better than Ian.  That last was
99 humorous, as Ian's speech was littered with 'uh's, 'er's, and long pauses.
100 It looked like reality was catching up with fantasy, though, as Ian had been
101 talking for quite a while now with nary a stammer.
102 My introspection was broken by Ian, again asking, "do you see anything
103 significant, or perhaps something missing which *should* be there?"
104 Hmmm, he seemed to be pressing the point.  I read through the material again,
105 looking for what wasn't there, a difficult task at best.  Finally I found what
106 he was apparently after.  "There's no mention of the verbal self-destruct
107 phrase.  Granted it's difficult to use without injuring or killing the speaker,
108 it should certainly be in here.  Why isn't it?"
109 Ian frowned, paused, then said, "I imagine it's because it IS such a dangerous
110 tool.  It's never written down, in case it's inadvertently read out loud by an
111 unknowing agent or secretary.  It's only passed verbally, and then only in
112 secure conditions, such as this."  Ian leaned closer, his chair squeaking
113 alarmingly.  "Since it's important that you have it right, please say the
114 phrase for me so I can check your pronunciation."  I thought a moment, trying
115 to remember the correct inflection.  As I began to say it, I noticed a crack
116 slowly working its way across the leg of Ian's chair.  The boss about to lose
117 his dignity?  Grinning slightly in anticipation, I opened my mouth.  "Deus... "
118  JoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshua
119 PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
120 OH WHERE OH WHERE HAS MY BHAGWAN GONE
121 OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN HE BEEEEEEEEEEEEE
122 WITH HIS REIGN CUT SHORT
123 AND HIS BEARD CUT LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGGG
124 OH WHERE OH WHERE HAS HE GONE?????????
125 
126                          - LAMB -
127 ____06/19/86__________________JD 2446601.5607_________18:27:29_____________

128 ============================================================
129  is near. The end is dear. Scobie, do, schoobbe do, de
130 ========================================================
131 
132 {+|+}  <134>  860619^2027
133 .......................................................
134 Entropy reduction!  I don't like the idea a bit!
135 By the way, the REAL Entropy, i.e. the furry one,
136 will doubtless be joining me soon here in Portland
137 now that we've got a house that will allow her.
138 BW looks great...it's been a long time.  Guardian,
139 write me at tektronix!reed!suki.
140 .........................Entropy....................
141 [O O]   9-something-something.  TIME:TIME:TIME  :)
142 ____06/20/86__________________JD 2446602.6854_________21:27:02_____________

143 
144 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
145   *  My Definition of Stress  *
146 
147 
148      The confusion created when one's
149 mind overrides the body's fundamental
150 desire to choke the living shit out of
151 some asshole who is in desperate need
152 of it.
153 
154 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
155 /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /
156 10 days away.  And less than 600 lines.  That's less than 60 lines a day!  At
157 ten (very short) lines a message, that is only six people calling a day.  
158 (That's assuming that everyone who calls writes...we all do that, don't we?)
159      Oh well, I guess I should do something better than complaining about the
160 lack of messages.  Hmm...
161      Didn't you all hear?  All Class 3 Entropy reduction machines have been
162 recalled!  The Techtronix factory has sent off another 50,000 workers, putting
163 the unemployment average in Oregon6.1 to
164 4.2%, an new record for the decade.
165     Also, the Fujitsu factory in Troutdale has swiched over to manufacturing
166 portable fusion reactors for your coffee makers.  This change has added a few
167 more jobs in the area, which has caused the population grow to 36,000.
168      Any person who wishes to join the fleet of Delta ships should call the
169 office right away, or else the applications will be closed.  And that is the
170 only way to get the entropy reducers that work.  (You get them after the run is
171 over...)
172    *** STARPATH ***
173 /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /  /
174 
175 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
176 
177 Good morning, and welcome aboard International Paranoid Airline's flight
178 number 451 to the Coast of Insignificance ... if you are not travelling
179 to the Coast of Insignificance, now would be a perfect time to disembark.
180 
181 Now that we've got rid of half our passengers, we can get on with the flight.
182 We will be travelling at an average speed of mach 8.9, and our average
183 cruising altitude depends on your choice of intoxicants.
184 
185 Hello, this is your <hic> captain speaking... I just wanted to announce
186 that we will be making a short stop in Portland, Oregon to pick up a case
187 of <hic> Henry Weinhard's... incidentally, would the stewards please come
188 forward to the flight deck to collect the several dozen empties we have
189 lying about up here... thank you, and good luck.
190 
191                 ===== DON'T PANIC! =====
192 
193                                         Cypress Hannel
194 
195 [][][][][][] 13:49:10 [][][][][][] 21 Jun 86 [][][][][][][][] 112993 [][][]
196 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
197 /////                                                                /////
198 /////   ****       ****       **     **      *********               /////
199 /////   **  *     *    *      ***    **         **                   /////
200 /////   **   *    *    *      ** *   **         **                   /////
201 /////   **   *    *    *      **  *  **         **                   /////
202 /////   **   *    *    *      **   * **         **                   /////
203 /////   **   *    *    *      **    ***         **                   /////
204 /////   **  *     *    *      **     **         **                   /////
205 /////   ****       ****       **     **         **                   /////
206 /////                                                                /////
207 /////   ******     ****      **     **      **        *****          /////
208 /////   **   **   *    *     ***    **      **       **              /////
209 /////   **    *   *    *     ** *   **      **      **               /////
210 /////   **   **   ******     **  *  **      **      **               /////
211 /////   *****     *    *     **   * **      **       **              /////
212 /////   **        *    *     **    ***      **       ***             /////
213 /////   **        *    *     **     **      **        ***** ** ** ** /////
214 /////   **        *    *     **     **      **          *** ** ** ** /////
215 /////                                                                /////
216 /////    ...Deep in the fundamental heart and mind of the            /////
217 /////       Universe, there is a reason...                           /////
218 /////                                                                /////
219 /////////////////////////////////////// Phi Beta Beta ////////////////////
220 
221 ..........................................................................
222 
223 THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS? I'M GLAD.....
224 
225 ..........................................................................
226 Somewhere around this message base I see the hand of a Keith Pendragon. 
227 You're becoming more active lately eh?
228                   :)   -DK-
229                     (Dark Knight)
230 [O O]  -- lurkin (yes, that's my border!)
231                              Silvermere gossip 3
232     Hello again brave and hardy adventurers!  Welcome once again to the Silvermere gossip column.  I'm Jong Hines, Prime 
233 editor of this column and I'll be bringing you the top stories today.
234     Once again the mighty city if Silvermere has had it's share of adventures.  Although recently it seems as if they are 
235 all away from the city proper (for which the council is thankful).  
236     Dark tidings abode for our fair land, as is slowly being found.  The nation of Bolgokz, in the dark side to the has 
237 been very active lately and much activity of orcs, goblins, and other evil creatures from that nation have been noticed in
238 the area.  Adventurers have been sent to dispatch some of these small tribes, but reports of raids keep coming in.  The 
239 city council is worried and fear that the nation of Silvenari will soon be embroiled in a war with Bolgokz.  
240     A few weeks ago, Thalor Hansek, son of Allenor Hansek, military leader of Silvermere, singlehandedly dispatched 30 orcs
241 in their cave complex to the south.  Although that was Thalor's first foray into the world of adventuring, he proved h
242 self worthy of the title PALADIN.  He gained a bit of treasure for himself and then payed for training to improve himself 
243 even more.  
244     Thalor's adventures were far from over though.  He went to the Blue Horn tavern to try to turn some drunkards from their
245 evil ways and lo, he met a group already talking.  He joined in and found that they were seeking adventure and fame.
246     They joined their talents and formed The Crusaders.  Mayor Karan heard about this group and contacted them for an a
247 audience.  Upon arrival, they were told that Mayor Karan had a job for them.  They followed up on this and found that
248 a caravan going to the temple of Tyr in the Cliff plains needed protection from bandits.  The group readily accepted the
249 job, especially when they found out it payed 500 gold per protector.  Thalor was appointed leader with appropriate pay 
250 increase.
251     The next morning they set off.  The first few days went fine until Thalor, who was scouting ahead on his warhorse
252 came upon a group of people on the road.  The encounter would have been ordinary except that as he passed, they sneere
253 at him in contempt.  He wheeled his horse and leveled his 14' lance.  A paladin's wrath is a terrible and dangerous thing.
254 Thalor slapped his horse and charged.  The other group broke their ranks and scattered, but not before one of their number,
255 a dwarf, was skewered by the charging lance.
256     It was a full scale combat then and they went into a weird formation.  Thalor frowned and tried to analyze this.  
257 The man armored in leather seemed to be the leader.  If he could take out him, he could demoralize the others.  Once 
258 again the mighty clydesdale warhorse charged.  The formation was broken, but not before the leader sent a spell at
259 Thalor.  He groaned in pain as 4 magic missiles hit him.  Thalor was confused.  How could a wizard cast spells when he
260 wore armor?  He reanalyzed his attack strategy and decided on another plan.  He wateched perplexedly as the wizard took 
261 out a great bow.  Once again resuming his broken charge, he flew towards the group.  The fighters in front scattered at his
262 approach, but the wizard wasn't so lucky.  Thalor's horse kept going, but Thalor leaped from his saddle and landed on the 
263 wizard.  In a tumble of arms, legs, and plate mail, they both went down.  
264     By the time they go up, the fighters had come back.  With the aid of his warhorse, Thalor dispatched them as well as
265 the wizard.  He searched their bodies and found the normal adventuring equipment.  The leader was also carrying a few 
266 items of usefulness. 
267     Soon the caravan caught up and witnessed the remains of the battle.  Angela Jax, the beautiful sister of Garet Jax,
268 commented that it wasn't wise to fuck with a Paladin.  Skrewd the barbarian chuckled grimly and the caravan continued.
269     A few days later, the temple was in sight.  All that was left between them was a small village and the crossing of 
270 river.  When Thalor arrived at the village, he was appalled by the sheer amount of destruction.  Many of the buildings
271 were still burning and skeletons lay all around.  However, the village seemed to be deserted.  He went back to the caravan
272 and reported this.  The continued cautiously.
273        (To be continued later)
274 
275 ============================================================
276 IF IT WEREN'T ENTER ONLY WE'D PROBABLY HAVE MORE ENTRIES
277 ===============================================================
278 To: the gossip columnist
279 It's "paid" not "payed". Otherwise not too bad for a transcript of a AD&D
280 campaign...
281 As for it being ENTER ONLY, if it was all allowed, there wouldn't *be* any
282 entries left...
283 ____06/21/86__________Leonard_JD 2446603.4716_________16:19:13_PDT_________
284 
285 *=============================================================*
286 W are the BBS's in such a llump? It doesn't seem like anyone
287 is calling anymore. Is it the summer slump? Were bulletin
288 boards merely a fad that is passing away? What is going on
289 here?
290 
291 I'm really for a hot adventure. When are you people going to
292 
293 
294 I'm really for a hot adventure. When are you people going to
295 get something going. Yea...I know, I should write something
296 myself. Maybe someday.
297 
298                       Hemmingway
299 
300 *----========================================================*
301 
302 ***=======================================================***
303 ENTER OLNYNLY SUCKS
304 ANYONE WHO JUST READ THAT, DO YOU KNOW A GOOD BBS ON ADVENTURE GAMES? OR MAY
305 BE A GOOD ONE ON APPLE II COMPUTERS?
306 LET ME FIX THAT BOOBOO, I THOUGHT THIS WOULD GO BY THAT ADVENTURE THING IN 
307 THE 200'S SOMEWHERE
308 BY THE WAY, HEMMINGWAY, DO YOU KNOW ONE?
309 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
310 
311 NOTE: coming soon to a Backwater DigiTheatre near you...
312 
313 PIZPOT GARGRAVARR PRODUCTIONS presents...
314 
315 a Cypress Hennel film...
316 
317      NEVER TOO EARLY TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
318 
319 A major epic screen adventure where you become the main character(s)!
320 
321                           ...stay tuned...
322 
323                                            Cypresssssssssssss
324 
325 [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
326 ANYONE KNOW A GOOD BULLETIN BOARD FOR APPLE II OR ADVENTURE GAMES?
327                  FROM E.T.
328 {+|+}  <332>  860621^1921
329 HAVE YOU HEARD OF "RAINFOREST"? 
330 THEY HAVE ON LINE ADVENTURES.
331 UNFORTUNATLY THE PHONE # ESCAPES
332 ME AT THE MOMENT
333                     ZARDOZ
334 
335 THERE. I THINK I FIXED THE BORDER-
336 NO I GUESS NOT IT BEEPS WHEN I GET 
337 TO HERE--------------------------->
338 
339 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** 
340 RAIN FOREST ----------> 274-xxxx
341 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
342 
343 ::::::::::O O:::::::06/22::::::::voyeur:::::::::::01:16:::::::O O:::::::::::::::
344 ::::::::::O O:::::::06/22::::::::voyeur:::::::::::12:27:::::::O O:::::::::::::::
345 ____06/22/86__________________JD 2446604.3343_________13:01:25_PDT_________
346 ZARDAZ THANKS, I'M GLAD I FOUND SOMETHING GOOD.
347 WAIT A SEC, I CAN'T FIND THAT PREFIX IN THE PHONEBOOK. WHERE IS THIS LINE?
348                        FROM E.T.
349 
350 
351                                                              
352 SYSOP, DO YOU HAVE A CHAT OPTION ON THIS?  ALSO, DO YOU KNOW ANY GOOD
353 APPLE II OR ADVENTURE GAME BBS'S? JUST WONDERING.
354 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
355 NEW URE ,WILL START LLEAVING MESAGGES AS SOON E/ TYPING RUSTY
356 $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
357 {+|+}  <361>  860622^1707
358 Some people should really learn to type! *sigh*
359 [O O]  --  lurkin'  ?-?-?  ??:??:??
360 Silvermere gossip 3 (cont)
361     Thalor went back to the caravan and alerted them of the upcoming danger
362 From there, the caravan went slower and more cautiously.  Finally, near nightfall, they arrived at the village.  Buildings
363 re still smoking, but the main road was still clear and so was the bridge.  They decided to make camp and continue in the
364 morning.  Camp was set up on the Silvermere side of the bridge and a watch was made from the mercenaries brought along.
365     Near midnight, a shout arose from a watchman.  Immediately the camp was awake and torches were lit for the humans.
366 Eyes peered toward the town.  Another shout arose as the dark form of an elf was spotted standing on the bridge.  Closer
367 observation determined that the skin was inky black and the hair white as the moon.  All there knew that this was a leg-
368 endary Drow elf, one of the dark ones who had revolted from the light before the
369 wars of darkness.
370     Once again, Thalor took the lead and mounted his horse.  He rode toward the drow and yelled out a somewhat suspicious
371 greeting.
372     "Ho!  Traveller of the night, you are not welcome here.  Pass on your way and you will not be harmed.  This caravan
373 has ne need of your kind."
374     The dark form smiled slightly and replied.  "Paladin, it is you who should be warned.  The cargo you carry is valuable.
375 Don't you think there would be bandits who would want it?"  The smile turned into a grin and the perfectly white teeth
376 shone evilly in the moonlight.
377     Thalor fought down the fear in his stomach at the elf's words.  "That is why we accompany this caravan, to protect it
378 from robbers and bandits.  I warn thee, if you have thoughts of evil, you should abandon them or face the consequences!"
379     The dark elf actually laughed.  "Oh Paladin, you make such a fool of yourself, for all your bravado, you are a weak
380 coward!  I sense the fear in you even though I appear to be alone.  Behold though, and let your fear be greater!  For I 
381 have allies of my own who wish to have the contents of your caravan.  If that means going through you and your pitiful
382 band, then so be it!"  As he spoke these words, many orcs appeared as if from nowhere.  Out of buildings and seemingly,
383 even the ground they came and started to go into tight formation and ranks on the bridge in front of the drow.
384     Thalor turned his horse around and rode back towards camp.  As he arrived, he shouted orders for everyone to prepare
385 for battle.  People scrambled everywhere at once and it took all of Thalor7s military and charismatic skill to organize
386 them into somewhat of a organized fighting force.  he hoped they wouldn't break ranks when the fighting started.
387     The small force consisted of 10 mercenaries (somewhat inexperienced as Thalor had found out recently), 2 clerics of
388 Tyr, an apprentice magic-user sent on this as experience, and an illusionist.
389 The other members of the band were his friends who he had either just met or had known all of his life;  Angela Jax, the
390 fighter who he suspected also possesed some wizardly skills, and who was also a VERY beautiful female gray elf, Skrewd
391 the barbarian, who he had met earlier, Olirin the magic-user, Panthim the fighter, and Kamikaze, a mysterious person whom
392 he had only known for a short while.
393 The small group marched toward the upcoming battle with fear in their stomachs, but nonetheless, kept up their courage.
394     (to be continued)
395   By the way, to the person who didn't know who the columnist was, it is I, the Dark Knight.
396 ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
397 GADF, HOW I HATE LINE NOISE. (YES, I AM ON AN APPLE.
398 ?????????????????????????????????? THME DOCTOR ???????????????????????????
399 ____06/22/86__________________JD 2446604.7615_________23:16:38_PDT_________
400 TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
401 
402    "That should do it Fellows. Send it on, and remember to duck before the
403 reply from HQ gets here." Parity handed the other agent a piece of hotel
404 stationary on a message was written. Fellows glanced over the piece of paper,
405 and looked up at Parity.
406    "I never thought I'd have to send such a message. We are absolutely sure,
407 aren't we?" As he spoke he removed the COMLINK from his pack.
408    "Five minutes with a body? We both got good looks. There is a chance,
409 but we have both known Ian for some time...."
410    "Yes, we have known him for some time. Here goes" Fellows turned his
411 complete attention to the COMLINK. Net's scientists had really outdone
412 themselves on this device. At half the size of a large metropolitan phone
413 book, the NET COMSET contained the most advanced communications circuits 
414 that existed at the time. The device had a several thousand mile range,
415 needed no external power supply, contained a full keyboard and gas plasma
416 screen not unlike popular portable computers, all on top of high-speed
417 coder mechanism deemed by NET's cryptology experts as a magnitude harder
418 to break than DES.
419     TO: NET HQ
420     FM: PARITY,FELLOWS
421     LC: LAS VEGAS
422     SB: IAN M.
423     MC: FOUND BODY OF C. MALE, LARGE BUILD, BLACK HAIR, IN LAS VEGAS
424         AIRPORT LUGGAGE DISPENSER. BODY RESEMBLES IAN MACHINERY. F & P
425         THINK BODY IS I.M. NO VISIBLE WOUNDS. IDENT IS I.M. OR VERY
426         ACCURATE FASC. NO EQUIPMENT HERE TO CHECK. USED SIGHT ONLY. ALSO
427         FOUND NET ISSURE CD/ROM CASE. LOCKED AND PROBABLY ARMED. WILL
428         PROCEED ACCORDINGLY. BODY LEFT AT AIRPORT DUE TO ARRIVAL OF LOCAL
429         LAW ENFORCEMENT. MOST LIKELY TAKEN TO MORGUE. ALL ID MARKS 
430         REMOVED BEFORE ABANDON. LOCATION WESTWARD HO MOTEL, ROOM 713.
431         WILL REPORT ON BODY ID UPDATE AND CD FILE PROGRESS. REQUEST
432         SCIENCE PACKAGE 11A BE SENT IMMEDIATELY. REQUEST DO NOT REMOVE
433         OTHER AGENTS FROM CASE DUE TO LACK OF ABSOLUTE ID ON BODY, BUT
434         INFORM THEM OF OUR STATUS. INQUIRE: AGENT JOSHUA. STATUS. LOC.
435         AVAILABLE FOR LAS VEGAS? BACKUP NOT IMPERATIVE BUT QUICK ACTIVE
436         STATUS WANTED.
437 "There, that does it. Look OK, Parity?"
438     "Yes, fine Fellows. Send it on its way and wait for confirmation
439 signal." Fellows pressed a sequence of buttons. The COMSET beeped twice,
440 paused, then a LED next to the display lit. Next to the LED was a tap
441 labeled 'RCVD'.
442      "They have it. Leave the COMSET in instant notify mode?"
443      "Yes. Now, let's take a closer look at this case."
444      "Fine Parity, but no loud bangs, please?"
445      "No bangs, Fellows, as you request."
446 
447 TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
448 1:11:11 6/23/86
449 I'm not sure exactly where the prefix
450 "274" is, but according to my phone
451 book, it is somewhere in Portland. Try
452 the number, it does work. (If it's not
453 busy...)
454                       ZARDOZ
455                          (Not "ZARDAZ")
456 
457 
458 {+|+}  <462>  860623^0825
459 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
460 	ZARDOZ
461 DONT TRY TO TAKE THE CREDIT FOR
462 SOMETHING YOU DIDNT LEAVE ON THE
463 BOARD       I  LEFT THE NUMBER
464 TO RAIN FOREST.. & I GOT IT FROM
465 GIFREY`S BBS LISTINGS.....
466 *** *** THE KEEPER *** *** *** ***
467 
468 You people are pittiful...can't get 
469 organized huh?  Well, I got a }odem
470 1 week ago and I've already set up
471 my own bulletin board.  I'm no CPU 
472 genius, either.  Don't complain about
473 things...actn them (Neccesity is the
474 mother of inve~tion. Remember?)
475 I love D&D and anything close to it...
476 I think I'll try to convert my board
477 to an Adventure board...I'll get back
478 I'm t goino to leave my number here
479 until the board is done...ok?
480        This is the Count!!!
481 
482 
483 
484 
485 
486 
487 
488 
489 
490 
491 
492 
493 
494 *************************************************************************:
495 L'homme: Did you ever get that disk I sent via net courier?
496 ************************** CISTOP MIKEY *********************************
497 SILVERMERE GOSSIP 3(CONT.)
498     Thalor designated 4 of the mercenaries, a cleric and the magic-us
499 er to stay with the caravan to make sure that the attack on he bridge was not a diversion.  There was some grumbling, but
500 they obeyed orders.  Thalor couldn't understand why they would WANT to throw themselves into battle, but did his best
501 to try.
502     Thalor organized the group into a small, tight formation and went to the bridge.  The orcs were there waiting.  Thalor
503 wondered why they hadn't already attacked, but was thankful for the reprieve it had given him.  He deployed the mercenaries
504 in the front line as shock troops, his three melee fighters, including himself, in the middle row, his three archers in
505 the back row, and the cleric and illusionist
506 in the far back row.
507     Somehow, as if on signal, the battle began.  Thalor was dismayed as he scanned the enemy formation.  3 units of orcs
508 firing bows were deployed behind two more units of orcs.  The front orcs were probably shock troops, thought Thalor.
509 behind all the orcs stood the drow, grinning.  Quickly, Thalor formed his attack plan.  He shouted his orders and charged
510 at the front troops, trying to break through to the back.  This disrupted the orcs, and he hoped would make himself a 
511 harder target.  The orc archers fired and scores of arrows flew towards the group.  5 of the mercenaries went down, 
512 thrashing and bleeding, and several others of the group were injured.  Thalors charge had a demoralizing effect on the 
513 orcs and he broke through to the archers.  However, he realized he was completely surrounded and knew it was time for
514 heavy melee fighting.  drawing his bastard sword, he hacked and slashed at any orcs who were foolish enough to come near
515 him.  
516      As the archers from the caravan fired, six orcs went down.  Kamikaze charged into the front orcs, but unlike Thalor, 
517 didn't break through.  The remaining people all had oil ready.  Vial after vial was thrown into the midst of the front
518 troops, most missing, but enough hit to drench the orcs.  Then flaming arrows were shot and soon the whole area of the 
519 bridge where the shock troops were was in flaming ruin.  Some orcs made it out alive by diving into the river, but most
520 died in the first blast.
521      Seeing nearly a third of his forces "go up in smoke" (I know...arrgh! :) made the drow furious.  He decided it was
522 time to call upon the aid of wizardry.  He made strange gestures and chantings. A few seconds later, a web stretched from 
523 his fingers.  It flew over the orcs and landed on Skrewd, Angela, and Panthim, actually using them as the anchoring points.
524 He smiled in satisfaction, but frowned as Angela's struggles got her out in less than a minute.
525      Meanwhile, the remaining orc archers were in dire trouble.  Thalor was taking his toll and those who he wasn't near
526 were busy trying to put out the fire.  From the group flew two more vials of oil.  One splattered on an orc, who immediately
527 dived into the river, but the other directly hit the drow.  More flaming arrows were shot and one caught the drow on fire.
528 He writhed in pain, but then recovered as the fire mysteriously went out.  He didn7t have much time to think though, as
529 Angela Jax shot her bow and hit him.  He fell with an arrow sticking in his throat.
530      The remaining orcs, when they saw this scattered and ran.  Efforts were made to stop them, but few were caught.
531      Skrewd examined the drow's equipment and frowned.  With a cry of rage, he shredded the cloak and broke the spiked
532 buckler.  He looked up and grinned.
533      "Don't like magic."  He said simply.  The others grimly agreed, and the illusionist quietly slipped away back to the
534 caravan.  The rest of the orcs had little treasure or anything of use and so they were left.
535      What little distance remained to the temple was small, and no more problems occured.  When they arrived back in S
536 vermere, they reported the village and their story.  Mayor Karan granted them their award, and told them of another ad-
537 venture they might be interested in.
538      "To the North about 200 miles or so, on Mt. Carnage, was some old abandoned caves which drow used to inhabit until
539 about 300 years ago.  Then the dark side came into existence and they abandoned them.  There might still be treasure an
540 items of usefulness there, but it won't be easy I'm sure.  I have a map here which will show you the way to the entrance.
541 If you can find out anything about the drow, it would be greatly appreciated, as they are quite a mysterious race.  Also
542 very dangerous.  Good luck."
543      He handed them a map and they were ushered out of the throne room.
544    (to be continued)
545 [O O] -- lurkin'  date.  Time.
546 Hey Keeper, don't get flamed, 
547 I was just telling the man that 274 is
548 a Portland Prefix. I was NOT taking 
549 credit!!! Even though I WAS the firt
550 first one to mention RAINFOREST.
551   But I did not have the number handy
552 at the time.
553 
554 off
555 
556 %*@#)_*%)_%*!)_%*!)*(%_)%*@_#)*%)_*%!)_*%!)*%!_)*%_)@%*_)!*_)!*)_@#^&*_)$&^_)@
557 Mikey: Sigh, special net disk messenger has not given me the disk yet. It
558        resides at Frye, where I seldom visit. I hope he'll bring it home one
559        of these days. Because of the delay, the big emergency need for it was
560        scrubbed. Some emergency eh? Oh well. I thank you for the quick 
561        delivery. The vital need has passed, but I am still very interested in
562        seeing what exactly is on the disk.
563 %*#@_%*_@)#*%@_)#%*@_#%*@#_) L'homme sans Parity *%)@#*%@_#*)@_!#*%)_!#*%_!)#
564 Hey!  Guess What?  There is a new BBS
565 out.  I just started it...Be the first
566 enter your own personal message
567 that you would like...Anything
568 goes.  I don't care as long as it's
569 nothing too dirty.  Here's the 
570 number:  668-xxxx.  It is open from
571 5pm to 6:30 pm today (6-23)
572 regular hours will be asigned soon.
573 See you there!  The Count
574 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
575 OK ZARDOZ APOLOGIZE IS ACCEPTED
576 IF IT IS ONE ?
577 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
578 
579 ____06/23/86__________________JD 2446605.6249_________19:59:58_PDT_________
580 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
581 Doctor: You simply *must* write a better terminal program for that computer
582 (term used loosely) of yours.  At the very least, it should support lower case
583 (that 80 column card of yours should be good for something, too).  Hope you
584 are enjoying your return to familiar surroundings.... :-)
585 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Milchar ++++++ 10:36pm, June 23, 1986 ++++++
586 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$#
587 "I think we're wasting our time, Farley.  Let's get outta here."
588 Farley was just finishing with "...Afterburner, Eliminator, Tres Hombres..."
589 muttered softly as the final few CDs were examined.  He sighed, and rubbed
590 his eyes which, at the moment, felt like peeled onions.  "Okay, let's go."
591 Once back in the NET vehicle, they saw the COMLINK's "Msg Waiting" LED wink
592 on and off demandingly.  Garret typed in his sequence.
593 Nothing happened.  Farley tried his.
594 A page of scrambled ciphertext scrolled by their eyes.  Before it, all alone on
595 a line, were the letters "RBOTS ECTNT OFRLY".
596 Eugene stared at it for a moment.  "Of course!  'Robot Section to Farley.'
597 Something big's up.  They're not supposed to use this unless they..."  Farley
598 frowned.  "Garret, I'm not sure the RD has NET's permission to send this, not
599 when they sent cipher-within-cipher.  Ever been a stickler for rules?"
600 Farley hoped he knew the answer; James confirmed his hope.  "I follow whenever,
601 and break 'em otherwise.  So what's it say, already?"
602 Farley pulled a small  violet device from his pocket and connected it into
603 the slot in his COMSET made for the purpose.  In a few more moments, the
604 gibberish formed words of meaning...
605 <Farley:  Ian still lives.  One of his androids believes it's Ian and has
606 taken the ROMs.  Only RD, Ian, and
607 Joshua know this, now you.  Droid is extremely dangerous, but will likely not
608 use built-in weaponry as it does not know of its existence when it is 'Ian'.
609 If it becomes aware of its true nature again, all things are possible.  Note it
610 will still use superior strength, information processing, and defense modes
611 that do not require active support by the p-brain (bulletproof, for example).
612 Ian wants it stopped, any means possible.  The RD wishes it to remain intact
613 for study, and hopes you will help.
614 As far as we can discern, the ROMs are still missing.  Parity & Fellows are
615 following some kind of lead in Las Vegas.  Joshua has been dispatched to 
616 neutralize the android.  No other elite agents on this assignment.
617 Lastly: To deactivate the android without destroying, say the words...>
618 "Tall order, Eugene.  If you goof up, though, I'm killing it.  Should be a
619 challenge for once."
620 "Yeah.  Right."  Farley wasn't listening.  He was memorizing the phrase.
621 "So let's go, already.  How far can a heap of junk go, anyway?"
622 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# Farley #$##$##$## 86:06:23:23:14:25 #$##$#
623 Especially when it acts/looks/thinks like Ian.  Hey, will it try to build
624 androids of itself?  :-)

TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 624 
