Memoirs of a RAFian

[Darth Revan]

Sorry, no chapters or parodies today.  Gonna be rather busy.

Aww... shame.

[Cloak]

I may change my mind, though.

CHAPTER SEVEN:
To Act or Not to Act

Soon the other RAFians had gathered.  Cloak stood at the center, looking around at the stragglers coming in.  Horse, who's been very busy of late, as have Blue and Gymn.  Cloak waited, looking patient on the outside, but in reality he was feeling impatient and nervous.  He did not know how his fellows would take the news, and his urging to act upon this.  Many of them seemed happy being safe and secure within the site.

But Cloak knew better.  He had seen what could happen if this persisted.  Both he and Shadow had saw the horrible aftermath, the . . . Cloak shuttered and shook his head.  He did not want to relive it, though he knew he would have to, to get his point across.

"Everyone's here, Cloak," Richard said, just as Parker and Helen were sneaking in.  Parker wasn't wearing his armor again.  Humans could be such strange creatures, at times.  Richard stepped up, and placed his hand on Cloak's shoulder, and said, "Best not keep them waiting."

Cloak nodded, and addressed the gathered mass of RAFians.

"My friends, my comrades, lend me your ears!"

"I cannot believe he just said that," Blaze whispered to Genies, who stifled a snicker.

"I heard that, Blaze!" Cloak snapped, before continuing, "We've come to a crossroads, of sorts.  All around us, aliens are falling to Loose Cannon's forces.  Innocents.  Being targeted simply because they are not human.  They have done nothing to deserve this treatment.  Need I remind you of the recent slaying of Kilgor, the ultimate Sonorosian?"

There was a brief murmur that swept around the RAFians like a slight breeze.  Cloak held up his hand, and the murmuring stopped.

"How many more of these senseless murders will happen in the following days?  Following months?  Years, even?" Cloak paused briefly, for effect, before plowing on.  "Yet, RAF remains safe.  Due to the hard work by our resident Goomba friend."

Cloak gestured over to Goom, who had involuntarily fallen asleep.  He jerked awake, blushing -- if a goomba could blush -- fiercely.  He waved his left foot faintly, hoping that the spotlight would be off him soon.  Cloak relieved him of it quickly, by continuing.

"But eventually even RAF could fall to these bigots.  Their bigotry will not sizzle out, but grow and grow until there's NOTHING for it to feed upon, like a blazing inferno consuming everything in its path.  Until everything is a DEAD wasteland.  These Knights, as they like to be called, will not rest, will not stop, until all sentient nonhumans are gone.  And not all aliens will lay down and allow themselves to be executed in such a manner.  They'll fight back.  And in the end . . . there'll be nothing left." Cloak waited for that to sink in, but a hand was raised somewhat hesitantly.  It was Cornson, which some RAFians had started shortening to Corn or Corny. . . .

"What makes you so sure?" he asked.

"What makes me so sure?" Cloak repeated, then answered, "Because I've SEEN it Cornson.  Not in this realm, but another.  Another that was virtually identical to this one . . . at one time."

"What do you --"

"What do I mean by 'at one time'?" Cloak interrupted.  "What I mean is that it was like this realm up until another ground, similar to Loose Cannon's Knights -- only calling themselves the Church of Purifiers or Temple of Muckrakers or some other such stupid nomenclature.  Point is, they succeeded in eliminating all nonterran species on this planet.  Then they turned their bigotry onto all nonhuman species.  Then they turned on each other, each killing another, until there was nothing left.  Nothing but an irradiated wasteland, barren of life.  They, in their own hatred and bigotry, not only killed their planet, but themselves."

Silence, accompanied by horrified looks, met these words.

"Which is why I must urge us to act now!!  If we do not, this will be the fate of this world.  And I CANNOT let that happen."

"But . . ." Aquilai asked, perplexed look his face, "HOW do we stop them?"

To this, Cloak had no answer.

[Cloak]

Not so busy anymore.  So here's another, rather shortish chapter.  Remember, make 'em last!!  Two days until my trip.

CHAPTER EIGHT:
Abject Corruption

The meeting broke up soon after that.  They didn't have a plan of attack, and one may argue that nothing got done, but that was wrong.  They, at the very least, made the decision to do something.  But what exactly?  That wasn't known.  They would decide in due course.  And it was progress.  Very little progress, but progress nonetheless.

But they did not know just to the extent the Knights had infiltrated human society.  Cannon had thought of this, knew he had to get a few Knights in positions of real power.  Doctors, nurses, politicians, police, firefighters . . . judges.  The RAFians knew this as a mere possibility, without any certifiable hard proof.  But there were instances . . . several real damning instances . . .

Doctor Gerald Ivo Tempest was a high-profile doctor who was under suspicion of turning away and denying medical care to anyone he considered alien sympathizers.  Yet he retained his license to practice medicine and not so much as an inquiry had been filed against him.  It could be incompetence on the part of the medical authorities, or something far sinister.  This doctor wore a silver ring with the letters of K-O-H barely decipherable, and a few of his nurses were hardly any better. . . .

Police Chief Taylor "Tar" Locke* tended overlook and just outright ignore cases of HIS officers (two named Lt. Merope Thomas and Sgt. Ian Riddle* being the most prevalent offenders) beating and harassing people who they suspected of being aliens in disguise or being sympathizers.  And, again, no charges were brought up against them, none that STUCK anyway.  And conveniently the three were always missing every Friday -- when Knights were speculated to congregate on.

Firefighters Azula Allerdyce and Isaac Haynard would ignore fires at suspected alien dwellings and sympathizers.  Yet, as with others, they are never brought up on charges that stick.  They are also heard boasting of it, behind closed doors, or if either partakes of too much drink.  The two are eventually brought up on charges of arson, but not willful negligence -- though they were labelled as pyromaniacs.

The main reason that all these people kept getting off is because of one judge, a judge by the name of Judge Kevin Keagan Kos.  He flagrantly ignored all evidence to whatever anti-alien bigot was on the stand, and let them off.  Or if a jury finds them guilty, he sentences them to the most lienant sentencing.  There were calls for his resignation, but they were mostly ignored.

The RAFians gathered all this information by subterfuge and spying.  Hardly able to put any of that into evidence.  This mere fact irritated Cloak more than anything else.  Cloak thought savagely, Politics!  And I thought the politics in the Nexus was bad!!  We cannot do anything more . . . no.  No, there's got to be another way.  Something else.

"Cloak," a voice said behind him.  It was Gaz.  She was accompanied by Parker, Aquilai and Phoenix.  Cloak said nothing, but clearly, they were not here to report happy news.  Cloak let out a deep sigh, and prepared himself for the worst.

It was Aquilai to break the silence, with a little quiver in his voice, he said, "They were let out."

"They" being a lynch mob of about sixteen people.  Just the other day they lynched a Time Lord friend of Aquilai -- thirteen times.  Each one being more traumatic than the one preceding.  There were about twenty or so witnesses, but apparently all of that was discounted as heresay and whatnot.  Apparently, that made all other evidence against them pretty much nil or worthless.

No wonder that Aquilai was upset.  He had spent hours to days trying to convince him to come to RAF, to join even.  For added protection.  His friend felt that it would tie him down, and he preferred his freedom.  And this happened to him.  Getting jumped and getting that sonic screwdriver of his stolen.  Cannon probably had it now.

"I'm sorry, Aquilai." Cloak said, in as soothing a voice as he could manage.

"How could they let them out?!" he raged.  "Couldn't they see that they were guilty?  They were bragging about it an hour later in a bar!"

Cloak looked at Parker, and he nodded.  Parker was there apparently, on a date with Helen.  Gaz had seen the aftermath of the lynching three hours afterward -- the mob hadn't even bothered trying to hide their crime.  Phoenix was the one who suggested to the two to see Cloak.  He could see them looking expectedly at him.

"What am I supposed to do about it?"

"Well, we thought that this was Cannon's doing," Phoenix mentioned.

"Of course it is!  We didn't have these problems before he came along and formed those stupid 'Knights' of his!" Cloak exclaimed.  "But I DON'T know what we can do about it."

"I think you have an idea," Gaz said quietly.  "I could tell you were thinking about it before we came here."

"And?"

"Don't, Cloak." Aquilai said.  "He'll just lynch you too."

"Only a Realm Walker can kill a Realm Walker." Cloak said in a monotone voice.  He was getting tired of reminding them of this.

"I used to think the same about Time Lords," Aquilai said, quietly.

---
* Get the reference?

[Darth Revan]

Very cool chapter. Yeah, no killing of Cannon. You'd only make a martyr of him anyhow. This is starting to turn into Gotham of Batman. We gotta take care of the higher-ups that keep the foot soldiers out of lock up!

[Blazing Angel]

I can appreciate a good hero speech, as long as you pull it off with the right drama and not too much cliche.

I have a sense for the dramatic pulled from Elan, the dashing swordsman and bard. He gives constant warnings to only jump right when the explosion happens, or to never announce your retirement.

Anyway, 2 great chapters.

[Aquilai]

Like Darth Revan said this was a nice chapter. Keep up the good work Cloak!

[Gaz]

Great chapters!

[Cloak]

Thanks guys.

CHAPTER NINE:
Fearmongering

Cannon's plan to infiltrate the highest positions of power was working, but he wasn't done.  Before long, he got control of a television station.  It was a few weeks after this acquistion that he decided to run subtle yet still outrageous "public service announcements" about the "threat" of domestic alien species.  Of course, it didn't help that this television station was well known for attacking certain individuals and groups -- being well-known for its xenophobic/homophobic programming and its failed Falwellian/Mallorian logic.  This station was so disputed due to obviously being nothing more or less than a forum to criticize and demean and demonize other opposing groups, and pushing a fundamentalist/extremist line, it was a wonder just why it had not been shut down.

But it wasn't just the station, Cannon started to print out pamphlets that had little basis in fact, depicting all sentient nonhumans as monsters and demons.  One even showed a giant foot stepping on one, which looked like a Xenomorph or a Brood.  The sad thing was, a small percentage of the normal populace was buying into these lies.  The gulliable believing anything in print.

And, still, there was nothing the RAFians could DO ABOUT IT!!  Cannon with his blasted fearmongering, turning the neutral humans against them.  There had to be a way to stop them.  There just HAD to be a way!  But WHAT?!  WHAT could it be?  Cloak had no ideas, and he was getting angry about it.  He became more withdrawn and began to keep to himself more.  This concerned the other RAFians greatly.  Noelle had been able to talk some sense into Cloak before, but her repeated attempts met with nothing.  Cloak didn't even open his thread door these days.

Noelle gathered Gaz, Dino (in her compact form, of course), Blaze, Aquilai and Parker (who had finally detached himself from Helen, who had to go to Zamaron for a few days) when her concern reached it's peak.

<I fear,> she confessed in an aside to the others, <that Cloak may do something he would regret.>

"I've been concerned about that too," Gaz admitted.

"He's so used to being able to solve anything with sheer power or subterfuge." Dino said.  "I think not having an answer is really getting to him."

"There's not much he or any of us can do," Blaze noted, "without starting an all-out war between aliens and humans."

<That's what's gotten him so . . .>

"Uptight?" Parker suggested.

<I would have picked a word with not so much of a negative connotation,> Noelle replied dryly.  <Point is, how do we prevent Cloak from making one of the biggest mistakes of his life?>

"I don't know what we can do," Gaz put in, "he can be very willful.  Obstinate and inflexible."

"Yeah," Parker agreed, "I remember him saying it's a family trait."

Aquilai said, thoughfully, "I think it's just him trying to live up to his grandfather's reputation."

"But he knows we've never met Sage," Dino pointed out.

"I'm not saying it's a conscious thing," Aquilai explained, "I believe it's in his subconscious.  He sees his grandfather as being this big hero, and he feels like he's still in his shadow."

"That may be true, and he could be trying to get his parents approval," Parker said, rubbing his chin.

"But he HATES Brute," Gaz interjected.

"Does he?" Parker said.  "I know he's resentful of Brute's favoring Dagger, and maybe even a tinge jealous, but can a son really hate his father so much?"

<Better not let him hear you say that,> Noelle commented.

"Sorry to sound like a complete newbie, but who is Brute?" Blaze asked.  "Who's Dagger?"

"Brute is Cloak's biological father.  Dagger is his younger sister who he's recentally reconnected with." Parker elaborated.

"Okay," Blaze nodded, "but we're getting off-track here.  We were discussing on how to keep Cloak from crossing a line."

And so it went, thoughout the day, they talked and planned, but nothing came out of it. . . .

[Pyrrhian]

Revan! Did I get smited for actually trying to show a human side to humans?!

Ok! I think you're confusing my "!" for SHOUTING! I'm not. I'm not a human fanatic. Just like how you mistook it in the Species thread. I was just pointing out that we should see humans opposing this cult rather than just letting it happen. People protest for human rights all the time and killings are big things even today a racist hate crime will stir up opposing sides. Here non-xenophobe humans seem perfectly content to let these things go on.

Were you just trying to get extra karma Revan or did you take my reply that seriously? If you ignite a smiting war then the popular side gets karma for ordinary comments because some people want to show their support anonymously. Of course, I don't expect real world realism from super powered characters but the world should resemble real life in small ways and expecting protests or riots against the Knights isn't asking for too much. Yet you still smited me for it. I'll apologize if I was overly harsh but I don't think was. You just jumped the gun and wanted to hate me.

Anyway, want to say thanks DinosaurNothlit for unsmiting.

[Cloak]

  
[spoiler=Rant]

Pyrrhian, honestly, please shut up!!  I was considering smiting you myself!

The way I see it, you're the one who started it -- you could have simply not post.  You're posts are nothing but negative criticisms, typical of a YouTube troll (from where I'm sitting).  At least when Aquilai made a suggestion to me via PM, he did in a constructive manner which I did not take personally -- whereas the way you word things, it's impossible not to take it personally!

If you don't have anything constructive to say, here's a novel idea -- DON'T POST.  I'm not mistaking you for shouting, you just word things in a very adversarial way, and are surprised when anyone takes issue with it.  You and your meager three post just suck the fun out of this thread for me.  You make me not even want to bother anymore.  I won't smite you, if only because I can tell it would be an absolutely pointless gesture.

Your actions are what caused the negative reaction, not ours.  Do not bother trying to turn this into a flame war, and do not bother trying to explain your actions further or attack me for what I'm saying here.  I sick of your trollish complaints.  You burned this bridge, not me.

[/spoiler]

Don't be surprised if I don't post another chapter tomorrow.

[Gaz]

Cloak, by all means, don't let this one user ruin it for the rest of us who adore your story. If you need a break, then you have more than earned it. But please don't leave this story. Just for you I'm going to do my best to get more recaps posted. I'm nearly done with the first episode of season 2.

The lack of a supportive human side never crossed my mind while reading this. I think, and feel free to correct me Cloaky, that just maybe that side doesn't fit into the story right now. It seems to be just the RAFians dealing with the negative threat. But I must say, if you feel so strongly about the story, then feel free not to read it.

[Pyrrhian]

Fine! I was just explaining anyway! I won't post here again.

[Estelore]

*looking around, a bit baffled*

We can see how Pyrrhian's wording could be interpreted more strongly than it was originally intended, the same way a completely sincere statement can be mistaken for sarcasm when in text-only format, but... we genuinely didn't read anything into it other than a potentially constructive critical remark on the seeming lack of realistic human mass reaction to the goings-on of the story. We don't see why people are getting so worked up about it, and if anybody is "burning bridges," it's everybody who overreacted.

That said, it's not our story, and we're not emotionally invested in it. Perhaps it's a writer's prerogative to overreact, but it's hardly realistic to expect everybody to automatically find a story realistic, especially if the story is derivative science fiction.

We respectfully ask that everybody please calm down and take a step back from however it was you first read the critical statements given by Pyrrhian, and re-read them with the thought in mind that they could in fact be kindly meant, or at the very least, not intended to give offense.

Thank you.
*bowing out*

[Gaz]

Estelore is right and I apologize if I took the tone of the comments the wrong way. They seemed to be coming on strong, but I could have interpreted that incorrectly. And I probably did. Sorry about that.

[Cloak]

Well, Estelore, I appreciate you mediating, but as far as I'm concerned the matter is settled.  I don't mean that to sound huffy in any way.  Let's just forget the unpleasantness with a new chapter.

CHAPTER TEN:
Escalating War

Cloak remained shut up in his thread, not seeing any of his comrades.  It was almost as if he was on a RAF hiatus again.  Cloak was on his wrought iron beds (while all threads had a bed, they were all in various styles, mostly influenced by the RAFian's RAFspecies*).  Cloak's bed was covered in similar material as his cloaks, as was his room lined with it, so he didn't have to wear his cloak in in here.  He said on the bed with crossed legs, arms supporting his head.  He had a sort of glazed look on his face, due to the fact that he was deep in thought.

Could he kill Cannon?  Should he do it?  Would it be the right thing to do?  The Council would have his arm in a sling.  He might get sentenced to the Oblivion Wall, the wall that separated the rest of the Nexus from the Oblivion Veil, where all souls past through to go on.  From which there is no return, no hope.  As such, no one, not even the eldest Realm Walkers, knows what's beyond it.  Cloak didn't care to know.

Cloak was getting antsy, so he leaped off the bed, landing daintily, and he began to pace.  Fortunately, the fabric that prevents him from incinerating the floor was beneath a rather plain looking rug, obtained from the Nexus.  A gift from Faith. . . .

Perhaps he should seek her council.  She was always one of his family member he knew without a single doubt that he could trust wholeheartedly.  Maybe she could help him make sense of this whole ordeal. . . .

He was to the point of latching on his black cloak and pulling on the hood, when he heard a commotion outside.  Naturally, he dashed outside, his worries pushed to the back of his mind.

"What happened?"

"They took them!" Genies exclaimed.  There was no question who the "they" were.

"Who are 'them'?" Cloak asked, urgently.

"Demos, Terenia, Gaz, Sakki, and . . . Parker!"

"WHAT?!" Helen screamed.  "I told him not to go!  I told him . . ."

"We must go save them," Cloak said, secretly pleased to be doing something.

Noelle came galloping up, seeing Cloak, and shrewdly put together everything that went on.  <You're going to rescue them?>

"Yes," Cloak said, wondering why she had to ask.

<Then I'm coming with you.> she said firmly.

Cloak wasn't expecting this reaction.

Seeing the look on his face, she said, in a low voice, <You didn't think I'd let you do this alone?>

"Noelle, I --"

<I'll have no of this "martyring yourself".  I'm going and that's that.>

"And so am I," Helen said, in full Star Sapphire regalia.  Her ring was like a geyer of violent energy.

Whoa, Cloak thought absently, Parker had better not forget their anniversary. . . .

---
*Must give credit where it is due -- thanks, Dino, for that idea!