From alt.pub.dragons-inn Mon May 9 15:15:22 1994 Xref: netcom.com alt.pub.dragons-inn:7257 Path: netcom.com!csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!cat.cis.Brown.EDU!noc.near.net!news.delphi.com!usenet From: brudnick@delphi.com Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [VampQ] Bat out of Hell Date: Sun, 8 May 94 10:19:18 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Lines: 153 Message-ID: NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1f.delphi.com ============================================================ [VAMPQ] Bat out of Hell Admin [The cast of characters for the [VampQ] thread: Character Created/Managed by --------------------------------------------------------- Ja'nis arsmith@lamar.ColoState.EDU (Alan Smith) Bluestar Dreamer (in absentia) Gemini (Feline familiar of Bluestar Dreamer) Moria Runecaster Master Hawk Rathan Barbar Morning Reaper Ah (Blood spider created by Rathan) Turion "Mr. Sinister..." a salamander (Turion's Travelling Companion) Billy the Torch JGE103@PSUVM.PSU.EDU Matte Kudasai Matt Hebert Tav Safthandor sxk29@po.CWRU.Edu (Susan Kretschmer) Tomonobu Fujiwara brudnick@delphi.com (Bret R. Rudnick) Synopsis: After retrieving specimens of the Vampire Orchid, the object of their quest, the group were forced to journey through Hell to get back to Generica. They are now at the threshold of the Gate back to Generica.] Admin [As always, comments/questions welcome.] ============================================================ "Well," the daemon said as it scratched its head and examined the data on its clipboard, "it looks like your team came out on top. Congratulations. Stand by for transport." Turion smiled broadly. "Well now, I wonder how that happened?" The salamander chuckled to itself, steam issuing out in little puffs from its snout. Rathan's spider companion struggled beside him. It was heavily laden with several suitcases. "I'm all packed, boss," it said, "ready to go." "Ah, what is all that you're carrying?" Rathan asked. "Souvenirs, boss. T-shirts, mugs, commemorative coins -- I'll make a fortune with this stuff in a few months time." Bluestar remained silent and pensive. Gemini rested on his shoulder and was aware of his master's mood. [What is it] Gemini projected. Bluestar did not answer. Somewhat annoyed, Gemini flicked his tail under his master's nose. "Hm?" Bluestar came out of his thoughtful trance. [It is nothing} he finally responded, though his sidelong glance at Moria betrayed his apprehension. She had changed. He had changed. But he did not like the difference. Moria, for her part, still savoured her victory. Her last opponent had been a strong one, and the thrill that had filled her when she found that one, vital weakness still had the power to intoxicate her. It seemed somehow . . . familiar. Tav could hardly believe it. Finally, after all this time trapped on this plane, he was going home. "Hey!" Billy said, anxious to leave but still feeling shortchanged, "I competed in two events but only got one medal! What a gyp!" "Man, this place gives me the creeps." Ja'nis commented as she shouldered her skates and took a final look at the hellympic crowd, now breaking up as the closing ceremonies had ended. "Be really glad to leave... Oh hell." "Ah! Ja'nis." The Graiman judge said, taking a diversion from the group to drool at the winner of the figure skating event. For someone who had been dead for over a millenium he was holding up very well, but for some reason Ja'nis still didn't feel comfortable with him. "Where are you going now that you've won?" "I'm goin' to Generica." Ja'nis replied, removing his hands from her body, "And if I find a part of you in contact with me again I'll remove it." The Judge got something of a dreamy look and sauntered off. Matte tossed a bundle over her weary shoulders, and remembered with some irritation that she had left her pack on the previous plane. She was dirty and tired and very grateful that they were getting closer to the end of their adventure. Reflecting on this, she lost herself in the reverie of a hot bath and a big meal with lots of ale. She was roused from her daydream abruptly, however, as a small demon cautiously approached her. "Er ... Miss Matte?" It spoke softly with a hissing lisp. Her initial reaction was to blast the little imp, but she stopped herself as she came out of the comfortable daydream. "What is it?" she finally responded. "Your medal, Miss." The little creature held a twisted hand out, offering the shining disk. "You won." "I won? For what?" She wanted to sound cool and disinterested about the possibility, but secretly the idea thrilled her and she couldn't keep a smile from showing through a little. "The exorcism event, Miss. You left before the awarding ceremony." The ugly beast cocked its head at her, as if unconvinced the girl could really be this unaware. "The medal is yours." Dumbly, Matte reached out her hand and accepted the shiny, engraved disk. She remembered expelling an entity from a little girl, but she, for some reason, had never connected it with a medal event. But that would explain the audience and that annoying, unrelenting commentary that had droned on while she was trying to work. She nodded in thanks, still speechless, and the demon quickly exited with an expression of immense relief on its face. Matte turned the heavy medal over in her hands several times before placing it in one of the deep pockets in her skirt. The group looked as if they were ready to leave, and she double checked to make sure she had everything. "For myself I should like to forget this place as soon as possible," Tomonobu remarked. He drummed the fingers of his left hand impatiently on the hilt of his katana. Soon, he thought, very soon now this quest will end, and he would be one step closer to his hated enemy. After a short period, a mist formed a tunnel about the group and they quickly perceived a light at one end. "That's the Way Out," Matte confirmed, as they walked toward it. She could see the light traffic of souls coming and going through the light. After only a dozen paces or so, they stood once again under the cool Generican stars. The triplet Nexus moons waxed high above them, and the cool breeze they felt was joyous. They had finally come home, but not yet to the end of the journey. The Vampire Orchids had yet to be delivered, and there was still the matter of the unknown assailant who tried several times to foil their quest.