I have never lost an argument with a deadone, and I never heard them complain about me using their stuff.

The use of violence is accepted because it can solve problems. The fact that not every problem can be solved with the simple application of violence can be disturbing. Thus, we have bloodsports to reassure us that violence works. That there are simple solutions to problems. We can dress it up with morality, if we like, but it boils down to might making things right.

The question is;
Is this really a bad thing, to express this simplified view of life?

Jager, old buddy, people hear your zen, but don't understand it. Although understanding zen is counter to what zen is.

Quite frankly though, my mind and lifestiyle need complex ethical and moral grounds that are counter to a "simple life".

Of course, this is probably the node talking, but I think that my view.

I should think about it with the lights off to see if it's true.

I'm thinking that you're thinking that I know more than I know, ya know? Such an exchange of information is more prefered in privacy. Why the interest anyways?

Some intersts I have will never change. You expect me to refuse that bait? Of course I wish to see it.

Why the interest anyways?
There was a time we considered expending considerable energies in bridging the gap between what he knows and what is. We first wished to fathom the inconsistencies he presents to decide if this was worth our efforts. While we knew little of him, he offered Ashnod as one who knew more and we thought of you.

You expect me to refuse that bait? Of course I wish to see it.
We are pleased you do not refuse. Only one structure holds our interest but there are two others yet undiscovered by the world we have unearthed in our search. Between these three we believe you will find it worth your effort.

I know it's meant to be a bit of a laugh and all that but people do end up getting killed and seriously smashed up. Doc, you do have a point that compared to some of the stuff people do XWF isn't all that bad. But then again Jager's point about bloodsports applies, I would add that seeing as we have a choice we shouldn't just slavishly follow our violent impulses. But then I am a boring stick in the mud when it comes to violence, armed struggle and stuff like that.

XWF participants may be best buddies in real life but the oh-so-spontaneous advertising, where Superbeast clubs Duke Core round the head with a safe, would have you believe otherwise. I think that's probably what gets on my nerves the most actually. The point I was making earlier about fighting in private was that a man-to-man fight (no sexism intended) to see who's the best fighter or whatever doesn't really need an audience, it's a contest between two people.

As you may have guessed I'm not it's biggest fan. It's only my opinon anyway, feel free to ignore me and carry on as usual, most people normally do.

I dunno, I suppose it keeps the sort of people that would be it's audience off the streets :p

Now previously unknown Egyptian temples is much more my cup of tea. Sounds interesting, Sekhmet any idea of it's period or dynasty?

We believe it to be of early second dynasty. There are features that perplex us but we are confident the solution lies within our grasp.

Ancient? Eygptian? Careful guys, my British Empire instincts for looting other nations are getting all fired up.

Heh, just kidding Sek.

"We'll not let any silly local superstition stand in the way of progress. We start the dig tonight!"

And other famous last words.

Don't joke to much about the looting, Sphere. There enough folks out there that really are into owning their own private slice of history ... and keeping it away from the rest of the world.

Sekhmet, be careful out there. This forum isn't nearly as confidential as my paranoid instincts would like.

Apep, if you make the trip, and wouldn't mind the company (and Sekhmet isn't opposed to it), I would like to tag along. Too much of my research recently has been in and around the Black Sea basin.

JAger, I hope you're aware of the dangers of poking your nose around Egyptian tombs? Not from any curses mind you, but the way the locals jealously guard their artifacts.

I'm sure the company you'd have would be sufficient defense, but as far as I know, the Middle East and Northern Africa aren't exactly Nova-friendly.

Thanks for the heads up, Endeavor, but I have been down this road before.
-Learn the language and learn to speak it like a native. I speak Arabic, and can read Coptic.
-Look the part. I am not always tanned, blue-eyed, and blonde. It's just how most people see me.
-I am not there to take away anything, but the memories.

Besides, don't know if I am even invited.

Even more interesting, there's lots of unanswered questions about that period of time, missing kings, were the Upper and Lower Kingdoms really united or not, was there some sort of power struggle going on between the cults of Horus and Seth? Fascinating stuff hope you find out some answers. Unfortunately I can't read heiroglyphs and I very much doubt that my retrocognition would stretch that far.

Has anyone bothered contacting the Egyptian and/or Sudanese governments about this? Just curious to see if anyone cares about baselines actually getting in touch with their history. We share it with them, remember?

On the XWF ...
{{shake my head in sorrow}}

If this was just a baseline problem, or just a nova problem ... but it isn't. It is a place were the darker aspects of common natures collide.

All I can hope is that I get to catch {name deleted} in the act and put him away for life plus 500.

Has anyone bothered contacting the Egyptian and/or Sudanese governments about this?
Be aware that we have so considered and feel there are sufficient reasons to delay making this known to them.

Just curious to see if anyone cares about baselines actually getting in touch with their history. We share it with them, remember?
We hold a differing view that has little to do with our nature and much to do with theirs. Awareness would cause difficulties.

Sekhmet, be careful out there.
We will. We would say we are not so much opposed to your presence as wary of it given our dialogues to the present. The matter is left to the discretion of Apep as one who knows you better than we.

Ooh, ancient temples...

While I must confess that my historical specialty is Celtic through to medieval times in Britain, I do study theology and comparative mythology. I guess this is one of those times I should damn the fact I work for Project Utopia?

Ashnod, you are eloquent and insightful, I'm willing to admit. I've always admired someone with a flare for language, no matter whence they came.

Wow. I'm impressed. I've started a philosophical discussion just by ranting. I wonder what I could start by using a reasonable discourse?

Well, keeper of the tomes of knowledge, We could banter. But unfortunately, my expertise lies in the realm of binary and digital manipulation.

I've seen many anomalies you'd be interested in recording in your logs. Perhaps some of a security matter with your colleagues. For they worry me as well.

From what I've seen here you'd probably start a rant. When "reasonable discourses" come up it seems to me folks set up their talks so it only goes a certain way and other folks don't take that so well.

It sort of makes sense. The rants are different. They go off into never never land and folks get a chance to talk about things ain't no one asked them about.

Hello, Cody. How is it going?

Pretty good , Captain. A bunch of tourist were unset with that Davis nut not showing in Lubbuck but they'll get on.

I ain't never understood why folks love these old buildings so much. I mean yeah, some of them are pretty and all but some of them are just plain bad too. Ain't pretty, bad lines bad location, falling down. I can reckon someone wanting to work a puzzle but once your done then what?

I guess this is one of those times I should damn the fact I work for Project Utopia?
We find ourselves curious enough to ask the reason why you work for Utopia. Surely there are other patrons for a scholar.

More importantly, you must realize there is history and stories being made beyond doors closed to you by your current patron.

I was in a bad way in the week after I erupted. My husband smashed my knee because I said I'd leave him. My best friend erupted on getting the news, and she got recruited by Team Tomorrow shortly afterwards. I went with her because I didn't know what else to do.

Utopia helped with my divorce and the medical bill incurred by a crippled knee. I guess I feel I owe them that.

Well, Sister Codex, out of tragedy comes good news. You freed yourself from a portion of your past, and your friend joined the ranks of the exalted.

If you wouldn't mind, I would like to meet with you, Ashnod, and Sekhmet. My efforts in recording the history of our kind is in its infancy, but grows daily. A meeting such as this is something I would love to witness.

Ms. McLachlan, I am sorry to hear your domestic situation was as bad as it was. I am glad to hear you have gotten out of it and moved on with your life. I hope that your new life is far more fullfilling and creative, but please don't forget that Project Utopia is a corporation.

Yes,and as corporation we have to work within the legal rights of the nation state we are working within.We do not take power, we are given power

I clear every action I do with the law,and any action witch a private citizen can't normally do is cleared threw political chanels.I do not adovacate any illegal actions, and as I act on the powers and abilities that legal authorities give me, I am no more guilty than the system.

Preston, you do not like Utopia.That is alright, but you have to understand, that you think utopia is unchecked, and I show you how it is.But what you take from reason, is up to you.

Nice dodge, Ms. Celleste. It is the system's fault, I agree. Utopia is a corporation built upon humanities fear. Its the "we will take care of those scare novas for you, and all you have to do is let us trample their rights, and your soveriegnty occassionally" that irks me. We, humanity and the nations of the earth, aren't learning to cope with novas and establish any meaningful dialouges. You are a corporate entity, with your own agenda, and not responsible to anyone besides your stockholders.

There is a proverb we know of; the most dangerous of all is an honest man. Were we to remind others the prevalent view within America was 'what is good for America is good for the world,' we would see some patriotism but acknowledgement however grudging of the reality that was. The only thing that might be said of such a narrow view is that its proponents honestly believed what they said. When we draw the same attention to this view being held by Project Utopia we are greeted with a feast of denial and subterfuge.

We ask ourselves, 'How can those working within Project Utopia be so blind?'

In retrospect the answer is so very simple and may be arrived at merely by gauging Utopia's actions against their public statements. Stupidity and blindness are not prerequisites for construction of the brighter tomorrow. Moral flexibility and holding the truth in disregard is. The novas of Utopia have given away their freedom of choice and power in exchange for the servitude made sweet by the lack of responsibility.

Let the words 'What is good for Utopia is good for the world' be ring from every enclave where their servants gather. It would at least be truth of their motives.

If you wouldn't mind, I would like to meet with you, Ashnod, and Sekhmet.
We are not adverse. Indeed, we would be delighted though there is the question of 'where' to be answered first. We would also recommend the addition of Violette D'Aronique and Prodigy be added though this is no requirement. Each for different reasons of course.

And, you think the US does anything for anyone other than it's "stockholders"? I do not mean the voters.I mean the Rich.US has a great history of breaking it's own laws, for the whimes of the rich. Should I list some times when the US trapled over the rights of poor for the the needs of the rich?

Maybe, I will just go into cops. Ever hear of the New York finest, The Vegas Family,LAPD,D.C. 13.

Ah. Then your response is that you are no worse or no more venal than they are.

We are pleasantly amused to see something approaching truth from a servant of Utopia. Does your master know?

I am not opposed to the addition of those two.

However...

If she has remained true to her word, Ms. D'Aronique is no longer reading these forums. That would require contacting her via other means. As a fellow Utopian, Codex would have the most opportunity to do so.

Then again, if you, Prodigy, or Bastian have means, I am in no sense trying to discourage you from using them.

I say that we are not prefect, I say we do things that may look the same.You confuse the means with the ends. SO wile the means may be the same, the ends are not.You breath clean, air, drink clean water, because Utopia.You do not need to worry about riasing sea levels, deforestation, because Utopia. You do not have to worry about so many things that you would have had to worry about before Utopia, that I wonder if you even understand that.

Yes, Let's strike down Utopia.Let's remove everything that they did.DO you really want to go to a world with all the problems the world had before Utopia?

And I say this what is good for the people is good for Utopia.

We confuse nothing in this matter. This includes your attempts to resort to subterfuge and misdirection to change the discussion to something more to you liking.

And I say this what is good for the people is good for Utopia.
It is in this your masters have failed, Servant.

You say Utopia is evil,wrong and all that.They are blind and do not see what is good or true.I say what would the world be like without Utopia? Yes, Utopia is a night mare, untterly horrid, and vile behound all human endeavors, That is if you bar all others.SO, you have something better than Utopia to take it's place?Do you have the man power, or resources to do a better job than Utopia?Hell could you do half of what Utopia is doing?

Changing the tactic does NOT mean we will fail to recognize further attempts at subterfuge and misdirection. This behavior is beneath you even as a servant.

It is an excellent example of all that we find fault with in your masters. Is it from they that you have learned such things?

Fear, that will kill us.There will come a time when, the fear of living Gods, will out way the love of them,and fear of their power. I do not wish to see this day, but I fear the seed of that day are already planted.

Sekhmet I would be offended in your lack of invitation, but I already know, everything I need to know from you. That, and I do not enjoy the company you seem to keep,or want to keep.

There is responsibility and it is not determined or affected by personal preference. We recommend giving greater consideration to this. Our company is ours to keep. Understand the reasons underlying or let it trouble you not at all as you choose.

Know too there is worse than fear. It will find and test you. We advise being making preparations.

Then again, if you, Prodigy, or Bastian have means, I am in no sense trying to discourage you from using them.
We have no direct means ourselves but do not believe Prodigy or Bastian would find the problem insurmountable should they choose.

I'm the first person to admit that Utopians don't have the same freedom of expression as many other novas. Agnelli, dear, I'm sorry but that's the plain truth. If I ever got into the times I've been told not to publish this paper or that paper...

But I