Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Kiddies!
I figgered I'd get that out out the way first, considering that I'll probably tick off some of you later on in this rag. I can't add "Peace and Goodwill", with what's going on out in Sargasso. Then again, I should be grateful it's not happening in the Periphery.
Lots of time for me to think while we're doing survey work. I know- that's a baaaad thing. Anyway, one stray thought that hit me was that we have way too few females in BSE. Yeah, there's Kaitlyn Mathias and our own beloved Kinki DeWins- maybe one or two others, but too damn few for my taste. They either get toasted like that Oberon chick, or get tired of the bullshit and move on. I'd ask Jame Retief to do a research project on it, but he's too busy cranking out weapons o' mass destruction. Yeah, yeah- I know. It's the holidays and I should be "kind" and all that. Mebbe the Ghods can figure out an answer to the shortage. Right after they crank out the new rules of Known Space.
Speaking of rules- did anyone catch that stray broadcast from the alternate universe? The one they call BSE-UK? Lord Deslock's paisley boxer shorts! Starbases instead of colonies, weird ship designs, limitations on starcaptain ranks, affiliations available for a million stellars. Makes me glad I'm stumbling around in this universe instead. I'm having enough problems having to deal with the upcoming changes here, what with the Kastorians and Alipponians and all. I sure couldn't put up with that Euroblend stuff.
That's enough rambling from me. Surprised? Consider it a Christmas present. And no- you can't return it. Damn ungrateful churls...
Back to the Bone. Guess what? We got a present! Ty Meup, former Bone Staffer and ex-Ringbone Independent News Service editor, apparently found his way back to Alippon and is resuming his old journalistic tendencies. So not only do we get to hear from an alumnus, but we also get a a really neat and topical interview:
An Interview With Lord Jacine
By Tyrone "Ty" Meup, Free-lance Reporter
Alippon is a movable artificial planet originally located in the Snidle System. The governor of the planet's namesake colony, Lord Justin Jacine, is one of those characters who have been a part of history in the Periphery since its earliest days. While his origins are unknown, many feel that Jacine's original colonization party comprised rebels from Detinas. Certainly, he seems to know many of the historical figures in the Inner Empire, and has been known to dine with the likes of PD Storm and UA Gression.
Recently, while I was trolling the spacelanes in search of a story, I saw Alippon suddenly disappear down a wormhole. Tossing aside some other promising leads, I followed my reporter's nose and pursued Alippon down the Wormhole. As many of my readers already know, Alippon moved to the Gateway Nebula that day.
For years, Alippon has been a point of contention and political hot-spot for the Transhole governments who, for a variety of reasons, felt that Alippon-Jacine in particular-usurped and violated their sovereignty by Alippon's insistence of political and economic neutrality. Suddenly this point of contention is no longer in the Transhole.
I caught up with Lord Jacine outside his government offices one day, and managed to ask him a few questions:
Tyrone Meup: Why did you choose to move Alippon to the Gateway Nebula, and why now?
Jacine: For years the residents of the Transhole have bellyached and complained about Alippon's economic and political policies. Trade has become increasingly more difficult to maintain, as the major powers in the Periphery continue their polarization.
Consequently, the decision was made to extricate Alippon forever from this perpetual struggle, so that we can again live in relative peace and quiet. Had we not acted when we did, we might have found ourselves trying to move to yet another region of contended space. This way, we got here before the war started-and maybe even averted a war while we were at it.
Tyrone Meup: What are your goals for the Nebula?
Jacine: We view the Gateway as critical for our long-term trade goals. We'd like to open trade to all regions of the Periphery, and hope that the Nebula eventually becomes a place where all can gather peacefully for trade and negotiations. If I can achieve this single task then this whole thing will be time well-spent.
Tyrone Meup: Many are worried that you might give preferential treatment to the Transhole races. How do you respond to that?
Jacine: I find that almost amusing, to be truthful. After all, some in the Transhole have viewed Alippon as a thorn in their sides for years, in spite of the fact that Alippon has done nothing but help their economies. Regardless, now that Alippon is easier for others to reach, I would expect the proportion of our trade going to non-Transhole groups to increase over time, since it is now much easier to get here.
Tyrone Meup: What is your policy with respect to Sargasso?
Jacine: There is no "policy" with respect to Sargasso, anymore than we have a "policy" with respect to the Capellan System. Sargasso is coincidentally connected to the Gateway Nebula, but that's all there is to it.
If the governments involved in this whole thing feel they want to waste their resources fighting over a relatively insignificant system, I don't intend to try to stop them. Personally, I don't see what type of strategic advantage either side could gain by claiming the system.
Tyrone Meup: You've been in the Periphery perhaps longer than any other human being. What is your take on the flow of history, as it has presented itself to you?
Jacine: As has been noted by philosophers much greater than I, those who fail to remember the past are doomed to repeat it. Many groups have waxed and waned here in the Periphery since I arrived here. And for the most part, downfalls have been caused by an over-dependency on military might. Those that have maintained their ascendancy are the economic empires.
Tyrone Meup: Do the Alipponians have any enemies in the Periphery?
Jacine: I guess you'd really have to ask others that question. Certainly, there are those who, at one time or another, have been unhappy with Alippon's position of neutrality. And many have tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to manipulate Alipponian politics for their own purposes. Generally, though, I think the citizens of the Periphery see Alippon as a peaceful, stabilizing factor, and would be quite unhappy to see it diminished.
Tyrone Meup: Apparently there was a probe of Alipponian defenses last year, and many seem to think that Alippon is in fact assailable. Care to comment on that?
Jacine: As I'm sure you are aware, I can't really make any type of detailed comment on that. Suffice it to say, though, that Alipponian ground military is only the front-line of Alipponian defense; there are other, more radical alternatives available to us, should they become necessary.
At that point, one of Jacine's aides scuttled up to Jacine, and started rambling about some major fleet movements passing through Gateway Nebula. Jacine excused himself, cutting my interview short.
Chet's nuts
roasting on an open fire... It's great to hear from ol' Tyrone again,
even if it was a bit brief. Still, I guess Jacine is a busy guy, what with
the traffic going to Sargasso and all. Still it's nice to see Ty hasn't lost
his touch. I hear that pleasure sheep can dull one's senses with overuse.
One question tho- what ever happened to the twin blondes, dude? I guess I
could ask Chuck to follow up, but I suspect he'd forget between the holo-phone
and the front door.
Got this submission via comm-link from the Nexus just before press-time. My ever illustrious staff sez it should go in the CPT, but I think that it's too important to let sit around for 2-3 months. And since I'm El Jefe Editore, what I say goes. Rlo's right - it's good to be the king....
Dark Dominion Republic (#22)
Harbingers of Doom
We stand between the light of hope and the darkness of doom. We are humanities last hope. We are the Dominion.
We stood between the Inner Empire and the FISH and now stand ready to drive them back again when they strike against those in the Nexus, Draconian Cluster, Periphery, Trans-Hole and Trans-Canally regions of space. We know not when or where they will strike first, we only know that the FISH will come, it is inevitable.
We ask all governments to put aside differences and begin working together. Without a unified front the FISH will swarm though and destroy all in their path. All human governments should contact us immediately; alien governments should make arrangements through their human allies.
Scribe Alaron
Yeah, it ain't
holiday-type stuff. So sue me. On second-thought- don't sue me. Send your
lawyers to Arch Priest Marid instead.
Somebody asked me if we were gonna do a "Night Before Christmas" thingie. No. Absolutely not. Mostly because it gives me a headache trying to come up with rhymes. But I guess we can revive another ancient Bone tradition.
The Ringbone Gazette Gift List
By "Pouting Bruce" Buttkiss, Bone Fashion / Society Editor
Whee! It's that marvelous time of year where we at the Bone suggest that absolutely perfect gift for your favorite BSE person. And I'm not suggesting Hai Karate! Something chic, unique, and guaranteed to pique. Impossible, you say? You don't know our gift -elves. And so, without further adieu-do-do:
Ace Krieger: A new Cuisinart with all the attachments. I just know he'll find a use for it...
Katie Mathias: A monogrammed Gucci flack vest (white, naturally).
Lord Jacine: A Low-Jack for his movable planet (especially with all that riff-raff around...).
"King" Rlo Krieger (IMP): A Hooters' franchise, of course.
Star Admiral Morgan (USA): Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People for Those Who Failed the Course the First Five Hundred Times.
Wishbone Bellamy (RIP): A lump of fossil fuel. A BIG lump of fossil fuel.
Arch Priest Marid: A copy of The Exorcist (Director's cut).
Sovereign Zalesa Agmand (KAS): One-year membership to the Stimbrew-of-the-Month Club.
Senator William Cody (ROC): Bound history of the ancient French Revolution (with bonus mini-guillotine...).
Drak Oberon: Signed copy of How To Raise Your Test-Tube Babies.
The Pundit at Large: Copy of Roget's Thesaurus with contractions appendix.
Olga Korvaleva: Authentic Xena, Warrior Princess script and T-shirt.
Jame Retief (WCE): Mister Wizard chemistry set.
Maeglynn of Loof: An Ant Farm (with coupon for extra ants).
Der Laul (MYR): A three-hundred hectare nut farm on a Transhole planet (to be named later).
Happy Holidays!!!!!
Now you see why we don't let Bruce anywhere near a keyboard, at least not after he's been into the bubbly. Time for something a wee bit more pedestrian:
Letters to The Bone
Hedd,
Any truth to the rumor that you're starting an affiliation called the Surfer's Confederation out in Nexus?
Questioning
Alas, Dear Q- there's no truth. Just because I've picked up a few ships and am gradually making my way to Draconia is no reason to have such wild rumors floating around. Am I going to set up a government out in the Nexus? Of course not. Why, I'm just continuing the "Ship of Fools Tour" through 201. Besides, that's mean I'd have to become a politician - ick!
Hedd-
Tell your fat-assed friend the Large Pundit that he's a f---ing loudmouth idiot.
Name and Affiliation Held by Request
Dear Name: I would except that he isn't my friend. It would be really awkward telling him that as a complete stranger. I'll let you do it instead, by forwarding him your message. Happy? Whoops- you didn't ask to have your locale witheld... I didn't mention it, did I? No? Well, if he asks, I'll tell him it, okay? Merry Christmas.
Harold,
Are you going to do the Stempy Awards this year?
C. from the Periphery
You know, I've been giving that some thought. Sure, why not? Heck, I've even got the cash for the awards. I'll make the announcement on the List in a month or so
Speaking of
Chuck U. Farley- I was talking about Chuck at some point in this rag, right
Duckbutt? Oh, good. I thought I was falling apart, or turning RIP. Same thing,
right? Anyway, Chuck has sent us the final installment of his article. Enjoy.
A Conversation at Alippon, Finale
by Chuck U. Farley
In the last two installments, Chuck U. Farley has again met Jason Prince, a scruffy-looking crew member whose background belies his appearance. After meeting in Chuck's usual haunt, the pair head out into the starport and for The Blast Doors, one of Alippon's more famous strip-clubs. There, amid the gyrating bodies and pounding music, Jason begins a story about the Fish and their invasion of the Stellar Empire...
Neither of us said anything for a while, preferring instead to watch the dancers and drink a few rounds. Or pretend to watch the dancers- at least on my part. I was keeping company with my ghosts. The alcohol kind of dimmed their presence, but they were still there in the background, like the bouncers and the waitresses in this place. At least the latter would be gone when I walked out the door.
Finally during a lull on the stage, Jason said, "Eight months." I looked blankly at him. Eight, or was it nine, stimbrews tend to do that to me.
"Eight months," he repeated, "That's how long it took for them to practically wipe out the Stellar Empire."
'Even Earth?" I finally got my tongue to move. He shook his head.
"No. But we paid for that. Oh, how we paid!" He waved over a waitress and ordered again. When his drink came, he emptied half the glass before speaking again.
"In eight months, nearly 15,000 Fish ships had taken ninety percent of the Empire. It was like watching a huge, dark carpet being dragged across a chart. One by one, the major population centers disappeared. You could listen to the terror on the comm-nets, the screams for the help that would never arrive. Millions of innocents expiring in agony, and there wasn't a phucking thing we could do about it.
"C'mon," he dragged himself more or less upright, "I need some fresh air. We can finish this while we walk."
* * * * *
The crowds had thinned out noticeably when we reached the concourse. Prince didn't say anything for a while. We stopped at one of the noodle carts that lined the street at this time of night, and downed a couple of bowls along with some tea. It wasn't until we were heading back toward the landing bays that he spoke again.
"It was the Companies," he said. I was still a little slow on the uptake, so I asked him what he meant. He pointed toward a small park that overlooked the landing field. Aside from a couple of lovers and a crewman (a deserter, judging by his coveralls) passed out on a bench, it was empty. We walked over to the railing guarding the overlook. The starport sprawled beneath us.
"Actually," he said, "it was the Companies and the ISS. The Survey Service risked one of their remaining surveyors to enter a Fish wormhole. They nearly came out on top of a Dominion warship."
"The same guys who fought the Republic of Corona at Geeche?"
"Same ones. They took the ISS crew prisoner, hauled them back to the nearest base and after a few interrogation sessions, they released them," Jason gave me a slight smile, "Guess they figured anybody that Bill Cody was ranting about couldn't be all that bad.
"Turns out the Dominion had experience with the Fish - none of it good. The Dominion knew Fish tactics and had the stuff to deal with them. The ISS starcaptain managed to negotiate for assistance. Weapons, ships, volunteers. Good thing she was one of the last of the old-timers, one of Lady Jaelle's kids. Anybody else probably would've ran for home to get permission to move his lips."
We stood there and watched one of Alippon's shuttles lift off. Probably a fresh crew for one of the battle-moons.
"So where do the Companies fit in?" I asked.
"Remember when the Emperor forbid non-Imperial ships from carrying weapons?" he looked at me as I nodded, "Well, there was nothing in the edict about forbidding weapon-mounts and hardpoints. The Companies had been building them into their ships for ages. When it looked like the Imperium was on the ropes, the Companies stepped in."
"You mean a coup?" I asked.
"It was a coup, and yet not a coup," Jason went on, "The Imperial Fleet was decimated. The Stellar Patrol was gone, except for the Home Fleet and the Emperor's Guard. Jasil still refused to arm Company ships. So the Companies did it on their own. Most of their fleets are run by retired Imperials or those who couldn't handle the political crap and left the service. They armed themselves from their own stocks. Most of what remained of the Imperial forces joined up with them in secret, refusing the Emperor's orders to fall back to the Sol system and 'fight to the death' there.
"By the time Captain Elhallyn-McGregor got back with the Dominion Volunteer Force - practically their entire fleet, by the way, what was left of the IMP fleet and the Company ships had begun to hold back the Fish. The Fish had taken all but two or three systems of the Stellar Empire by then." Jason leaned against the railing and stared out at the tarmac.
"But there were still pockets of resistance. ISP survivors and Company forces reactivated an old, forgotten Imperial base on a desert planet and yanked the ships there out of mothballs. They set up rudimentary fields on places the Fish had skipped. Remember- the Fish only went after places with more than forty-percent or so water. That's a lot of planets and moons left untouched.
"They fought guerilla actions using ships that were obsolete in my grandfather's time. Our old, clapped-out destroyers pounced on lone Fish ships. We raided their supply lines. Our commandos managed to capture Fish weapons and, more importantly, prisoners. We learned enough Fish physiology and psychology for the EEM and GTT to cobble together some fairly effective weapons. The SSL and FET found a few.. things that did all sorts of nasty stuff to the Fish. The SMS came up with a variant of the Fish armor. Damn good stuff, too. Imperial research teams- what were left, worked overtime on either reverse-engineering or figuring out counter-effects to Fish technology. Sometimes it worked, often it didn't.
"It was costly, but the Fish were slowed down enough. Just enough. With the coming of the Dominion volunteers, we managed to finally defeat them and push them back."
"How close did they get to Terra?" I asked as another shuttle lifted off. The fields lights on the outskirts began to go off. Alippon Starport was closing up for the night.
"Alpha Centari."
"That," I murmured, "is close."
"Yeah," Jason mused, "but we stopped them. We held them back and then handed them their biggest defeat. 'The War of Orion's Belt'. No mercy, no prisoners on either side. We took nearly twenty million casualties in the span of three months, both in space and on the planets. Don't know how many they lost, but it was a lot. Then we chased after those finned bastards until one of us realized our broken-down ships were falling apart, and there were damned few of them left to kill."
The last of the lovers finally departed, still wrapped around each other. The crewman was still sprawled on the bench, snoring. I yawned and wished I'd gotten some java instead of tea. Jason didn't seem to be tired.
"You said it was a coup," I prompted.
"I said it was, and it wasn't,' he replied, "the Companies defied the Emperor and armed their ships. They helped what was left of the Imperial forces drive back the Fish. But they hadn't really knocked over the throne. At least not at first.
"When we survivors got back to the Sol system, we found out the Empire lived, but the Emperor was dead. So were his bodyguard and most of the senior members of the Imperial government. A ruling Council made up of the Companies was in charge. I heard a few members of the ruling family tried to take the throne but they had been... discouraged, from doing so. A few permanently. Never could get a straight answer how Jasil died."
"What do you think?"
"Imagine, Mister Farley," Jason said as he stroked his goatee, "your entire Empire reduced to a couple of systems in less than a year. Your vaunted military toys broken, smashed to bits. Finding out that your fossil of a government - and you - are incapable of dealing with an invasion. You're, what, in your sixties? You haven't had to deal with a major crisis in your life. Now your guards and selected ass-kissers are scattered, and others are calling the shots. You realize you're useless," He turned from the railing and looked at me.
"I think he couldn't deal with it," he said with finality.
We left the park and strolled down the concourse toward the landing bays. We stopped outside the one where Jason's ship was docked and shook hands.
"We're lifting off in a half-TU, or I'd show you around. I probably won't see you again for a long while," he said, "There's changes coming. Big changes. Bellamy and his ilk are due for a fall. I think you'll see Alippon finally move to new spaces. A war is coming, one that will make the last one look like a children's pillow-fight. I hope I'm wrong on the last. I really do."
"I know what you mean," I said, "I could do with a bit of peace and quiet."
He reached into his tunic and handed me a small, shiny flask.
"Take this for safekeeping, will you, Chuck? All I ask is that when you drink from it, remember me. Oh," he grinned, "and keep it filled for when I come back to claim it. Make sure it's the good stuff, too."
"Sure," I replied as I tucked it in my jacket, "let me ask you a couple final questions."
"Ever the reporter, eh?" Jason said, "Sure, go ahead."
"How do I know any of this stuff you told me is true?"
"Your brain is still working," he said. Then his smile dropped a bit. "You don't. And that's probably a good thing.
"Has anyone out beyond the Inner Empire wondered why it's been so quiet from 'the inside' for the past three years or so? I don't mean the neglect- that's been that way for ages. I mean, no news, no visits, nothing. Then that asteroid of zombies pops up in the Periphery, along with all those rumors? I guess you'll have to do some verification, Chuck."
"Fair enough. The last question: who are you, really?"
"Why, Mister Farley," he smiled, "I'm Jason Prince, a certified and slightly underpaid Assistant Astrogator. And very happy being that."
"Okay, Mister Prince," I replied, "as long as you're happy."
"For now," he nodded, 'Take care, Chuck."
I watched him go up the ramp and wave to the female crew member on watch as he went inside the ship. Then I turned and walked slowly back down the now-empty concourse.
As I walked toward Alippon starport's main plaza, I heard the rumble of thrust engines. I went to the railing and saw Jason's ship taxiing out to the launching area. Digging the flask from my jacket, I unscrewed the cap and watched.
The ship slowly lifted off and streaked toward Limond's starry skies above the main administration building. I took a sip of what was a really fine whiskey, then held the flask in a salute until the ship was gone from sight.
In the glow of a lamp post I glanced up at the flask, and saw something etched on its side. It was a crest. I looked at it for a long while, then smiled. Then I screwed on the cap, tucked the flask back into my jacket, and made my lonely way through the deserted streets back to my room.
Epilogue
Alippon made its move, just as Jason had predicted. After the initial confusion, things sorted themselves out. Aside from a few more alerts and drills, life on Alippon went back to normal.I went back to my usual routine of sniffing out news in the starport and going to the office, otherwise known as the Dwarf Star.
I was sitting outside at one of the cafe tables, wrapping up this article. The Dwarf Star's owner came up to me. She tossed a package at my elbow and patted it for emphasis.
"Farley, you're lucky your're a regular, or I'd toss this in the hopper. I don't run no damn post office."
"Thanks, Maggie. You're a sweetheart."
"And you're a smooth one," she retorted, "that ain't gonna get you any free drinks!"
"Could you fix the holo-screen, then?" I replied. She said something unprintable and stomped off. There was no markings on the box, except for my name and the bar's address. I carefully opened it and saw something wrapped in tissue, along with a note-chip. I pressed its button and held it up to my ear.
Chuck, hopefully you've survived the move. If you're hearing this, that means I won't have to kill the Cartrark that I paid 500 stellars get this package delivered to you.
A few months back you asked me if the things I told you were true. I found this in the bottom of my bag and figured you'd appreciate it. It's something we in the Raiders wore, a trophy of sorts. Go ahead and open the paper, if you haven't already. I'll wait...
I paused the note-chip and opened the tissue wrapping. There in the package was a small disk with a hole in one end and a loose lanyard beside it. The disk, was thin and tear-shaped, with slightly scalloped edges on the lower half. It fit neatly in the palm of my hand.
Holding it up between my thumb and forefinger, I saw that it was translucent. It had a multicolored sheen, like it was made of mother-of-pearl...
I punched the button on the note-chip.
...You've figured out what it is by now, so I won't elaborate. The lanyard goes with it. I'd be real careful about displaying it. Someone or some thing might take offense, or worse, assume you're somebody you're not.
Take care, Chuck.
The note-chip fell silent.
I re-wrapped the items and tucked them into my jacket. I signalled the waitress, and asked her for a coffee, black.
'Going on the wagon, Chuck?" she smiled.
"No, Meara," I replied as I cradled the cup, "Suddenly I feel very, very cold."
"On Alippon?" she exclaimed, bewildered, "Maybe you should go on the wagon."
I looked up at Alippon's dome. Somehow it didn't seem so safe, so protective anymore.
"Maybe I should, girl," I replied, "Maybe I should."
We were gonna do a Rumor and Innuendo section, but Kinki ran into some old friends and left us hanging. Drooling Lenny volunteered to do something but I put him off until next month.
So I guess we can call this a wrap. A good holiday to you and yours. Time to get ready for the ship's party. The crew's got a humdinger planned this year. Harvey Nutbangers and a marathon sticky-ball tournament. Sounds like fun to me. Later!
Ads & Stuff
Additions and updates, e-mail hedd@compuserve.com. Put it to Father Larry's attention (we're trying to keep him busy).
Looking for the RIP/IND ship Graf Zepplin (1907). A cargo ship, no weapons. Very interested in its intact capture/delivery to me.Sizable reward offered. I really, really do not want this ship destroyed - Lady Yves Latone Thunder, KZK Thunder Hive
SMS New Comte(1620) is on Dogleg, the center of it all. If there is something you want that is not on the market let me know, maybe I can get it for you, maybe not. LBCMs will be added soon. Low on stellars? Barter is available. Do NOT land without permission. Use Highport for market transactions. - Lord Tiberius Croft
Merchant E is now available at AFT Benden Weyr (3686) on moon Pikoil , space square 1548 in Adamon (42) system in the Capellan Periphery. Contact this office [shazzola at juno.com] for fees, PA's and other arrangements. Desired items for exchange are: Fissionables (reg & cond), Fossil Fuels (reg & cond), Korondite, Stellars and morale boosting materials in no particular order of importance.In the event the prophecies bear reality, best to get your upgrade today to get the max benefit from the upgrade. - Trader Jess Wong
New Location, Same Great Service! Please be sure to visit IND Alippon (1399) in the Gateway Nebula. Used ship market being updated, but ask us anyway. Entry and exit keys available - Lord Justin Jacine, IND Alippon
IND Werth is the best Free and Open port in BSE. Shop 'till you drop. Party 'till you drop! Sleep it off in any of our thousands of hotel rooms. Werth is the playground of the filthy rich and infamous. And never, ever a cover charge.
The MYR Want Your Business!! Myrrians are still building and selling Myrships (10-10-10) and Myrchant ships (1-30-2). Both these designs have the 100 mu/hull shift and are Nexus and Draconian Cluster friendly. Licenses available, as well as other items for sale and barter. - Der Laul, for the MYR.
The Kastorian Sovereignty is looking for starcaptains interested in hauling cargo between Capellan and/or Trian, and Boomer system. Please contact Lord Zalesa privately with your rates.
BSE Web Sites
The following are affiliation and special-interest sites for BSE. Additions and updates, e-mail hedd@compuserve.com. Put it to Father Larry's attention (it gives him something to do).
[OOC: This is an interesting page I found. Great support for those players who think aliens should not merely be humans in funny costumes: How To Design An Alien ]
The Bone would like to thank:
The Republic Diner, North Stonington, CT
Another 2-liter box of budget (but decent) Merlot
The Slow Motion Games staff, especially Neil
Those BSE Gamers that made it through another year