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blakes7-d Digest Volume 98 : Issue 285
Today's Topics:
Re: [B7L] Defending Blake's honor
Re: [B7L] Defending Blake's honor
Re: [B7L] Vila's Past
[B7L] Vila's Past - a short story.
Re: [B7L] Vila's Past - a short story.
Re: [B7L] Vila's Past
Re: [B7L] Vila's Past
Re: [B7L] FS:(US only) Childhood's End audio tape.
Re: [B7L] Re: Blake and diversity
[B7L] Re: Vila's past
[B7L] Vila's past
Re: [B7L] Re: Neil Faulkner on religion
[B7L] Defending Blake's honour
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 21:57:13 -0000
From: "Jennifer Beavan" <J.Beavan@btinternet.com>
To: <Blakes7@lysator.liu.se>
Subject: Re: [B7L] Defending Blake's honor
Message-Id: <E0zeRQZ-0005Cd-00@tungsten.btinternet.com>
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> As for Avon not being protective, his actions in Terminal were
designed to
> protect them(stress and exhaustion perhaps accounting for his readiness
to
> kill Tarrant; the other being that he knew that only if they truly
believed
> his threat might they not follow; even Vila has figured out Tarrant's
bite
> isn't all its made out to be.)
But if he'd been truly protective - including self-protective - he'd never
have taken Liberator through that cloud. The promise of Blake was simply
more important <g>
Jennifer
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 17:21:26 EST
From: AChevron@aol.com
To: Blakes7@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: [B7L] Defending Blake's honor
Message-ID: <64e6a8b4.364cb0e6@aol.com>
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In a message dated 98-11-13 17:15:25 EST, you write:
<< But if he'd been truly protective - including self-protective - he'd never
have taken Liberator through that cloud. The promise of Blake was simply
more important <g> >>
Ahh, but he was being protective, even if it was of Blake. He seriously
underrated the danger, agreed.(We've never hit an iceberg before, and if we
do, we won't sink, and if we sink, we'll have plenty of time to abandon ship
to other vessels...) But his concern for Blake was a legitimate one. Blake in
the hands of person or persons unknown, even if he suspected Servalan, meant
any deviation from the instructions could cost Blake his life. He did what he
could to minimize the risk to the others, barrng the cloud factor. Had he not
been concerned, he could have told them, knowing they would back his play, but
putting themselves into what he considered unacceptable danger.(There are
hints he expected to die on Terminal).
Besides, you imply Blake was more important than the others. Nonsense! What
more could he want than Vila and Cally?<G> Deborah Rose
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 17:51:30 EST
From: Tigerm1019@aol.com
To: blakes7@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: [B7L] Vila's Past
Message-ID: <e2cc9ccc.364cb7f2@aol.com>
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In a message dated 98-11-13 16:04:47 EST, you write:
<< Cup-and-balls I know about. What's "three card monte?" >>
Three card monte is similar to cup-and-balls, but involves picking out a
specific card (say the queen of spades) from among three that the dealer
shuffles. Of course, by the time he or she stops shuffling, it isn't there
any more because the dealer has substituted another one.
Tiger M
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 12:18:17 +1100
From: "Katrina Harkess" <kharkess@mail.usyd.edu.au>
To: "B7" <blakes7@lysator.liu.se>
Subject: [B7L] Vila's Past - a short story.
Message-Id: <199811140120.MAA18858@extra.ucc.su.OZ.AU>
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First draft, attempt to explain how Vila might have learned certain
talents. ;)
--------------------
The delta warrens were a filthy place. The though passed through Rafe's
head every time he was forced to come back to the crowded labyrinth of
tunnels where the service grade who weren't live-in servants lived. But it
was here that items could be disposed of and assistants found when needed.
But at least he was on his way out�
A child's hand tagged at Rafe's sleeve. Filthy and small, it belonged to a
boy who initially looked about five. Long experience enabled Rafe's guess
his age was closer to eight or nine. "Please?" The boy looked up at Rafe
with miserable eyes, his face pinched from hunger.
Rafe sighed and went to shake the child off. There were dozens of similar
children cluttering the place. But a little tickle stopped him; the lad had
managed to pick Rafe's pocket and had let go, pretending he had done
nothing. A mumbled 'sorry sir' and another piteous look as the boy sidled
away, galvanized Rafe into action. Longer legs were a definite help, he
thought to himself as he managed to catch the lad.
Having the kid half dangling from his hands he inspected him with
distinctly more interest. A kid with fingers nimble enough to almost get
away with picking Rafe's pocket was one he was interested in. "I think I'll
have those credits back now, kid." he said quietly. "And then you can tell
me where you learnt that particular talent.
The lad handed back the credits with a shamed look on his face and mumbled
something.
"Now now, mumbling something is no good. Can't hear you. You'd be better
off chattering away to bore someone instead." The gentle lecture wasn't
what the lad expected and Rafe saw it in those now confused eyes. Well, I
suppose it doesn't matter where you learnt it but as of a matter of fact,
I'll be needing a helper with nimble fingers. Be interested?"
The lad nodded, eyes wide and wary but very interested.
Rafe chuckled and let the lad back on his feet, only keeping a light hold
on one small wrist. "Won't be easy, kid. You'll be learning about locks as
well as picking pockets and I'll be teaching you the carnival tricks to
keep those finger nimble." They made their way together, back towards the
respectable area of the dome where Rafe had his locksmiths' shop. "I'll be
attending to a few other things too lad. The administration is fond of
trying to psycho people they label as anti-social. I'll be teaching you the
techniques to remain unaffected if you're ever caught. And you will be.
Everyone is at some stage." Another moment of silence passed and then Rafe
thought to ask the child his name."
"Vila Restal." came back the clear answer.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 22:16:27 EST
From: AChevron@aol.com
To: Blakes7@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: [B7L] Vila's Past - a short story.
Message-ID: <b3e9935d.364cf60b@aol.com>
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In a message dated 98-11-13 20:22:00 EST, you write:
<< A mumbled 'sorry sir' and another piteous look as the boy sidled
away, >>
I can just see the young Restil in this shot. Lovely little story! Look
forward to more?please?....... D. Rose
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 00:31:45 PST
From: "Edith Spencer" <sueno45@hotmail.com>
To: blakes7@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: [B7L] Vila's Past
Message-ID: <19981114083146.22109.qmail@hotmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain
Hello to all:
Last time, Allison wrote:
Some of those lockpicking skills could not be learned by trial and
error. Who
could have trained Vila, and how? I could see him spying on someone
-else-
learning these things, but why would they be learning?
Allison
Hmmm... given some of things mentioned on B7- different sectors
of society, outspread colonies doing this'n'that, could one image a sort
of Dickinsen-like crime ring going on? Like, um, the lead thief in
Oliver Twist? Fagan? Yeah, someone like Fagan teaching our darling Vila
how to be a thief.
As for having the resistance to drugs in the water, I posted a half
assed slashy blurb on the Space City party a coupla months back. In it I
suggested that their was something special about Vila's liver that
screened out most psychotropic drugs- thus the ability to drink vast
quanties of god knows what and still be alive. Would it be possible that
Vila has a genetically mutated liver that protects him from substances?
There is mention of Atomic wars; maybe his distant ancestors developed
this to protect him? Oh why am I asking this? Maybe I should start a
story!
Edith :)
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 09:25:40 -0000
From: "Alison Page" <alison@alisonpage.demon.co.uk>
To: "Lysator" <blakes7@lysator.liu.se>
Subject: Re: [B7L] Vila's Past
Message-Id: <E0zebuM-0004wn-00@post.mail.demon.net>
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> Some of those lockpicking skills could not be learned by trial and error.
Who
> could have trained Vila, and how? I could see him spying on someone
-else-
> learning these things, but why would they be learning?
> Allison
Well, someone made the locks for a start. People like that often have links
with the people who want to break locks. This happens with computer
security too doesn't it? Also, people steal locks and build up collections
of them and work on them. Plus older villains often make alliances with
younger ones, for a variety of family and other reasons, and pass on their
skills.
And I guess there are only a limited number of types of lock, even in the
future, and most are variations on the same basic devices. This is how bomb
disposal skills are developed (I think).
Alison
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 09:17:53 EST
From: Mac4781@aol.com
To: blakes7@lysator.liu.se
Subject: Re: [B7L] FS:(US only) Childhood's End audio tape.
Message-ID: <c0f1f33b.364d9111@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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Reuben wrote:
> I have an extra copy of the BBC production of Childhood's End. Stephen Pacy
> does the main anrration in it. It's really quite enjoyable.
I highly recommend this radio adaptation. While it deviates more than I'd
like from the Clarke source material, it's an entertaining drama in its own
right. Steven is exquisite in the starring role of the tragic Jan Rodricks.
His descent into madness as he watches the destruction of the Earth is
particularly memorable. Also, there's a great picture of Steven as Jan on the
sleeve.
Carol Mc
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 01:04:30 +1000
From: "Taina Nieminen" <taina@netspace.net.au>
To: "B7" <blakes7@lysator.liu.se>
Subject: Re: [B7L] Re: Blake and diversity
Message-ID: <023801be0fe2$aff09e00$6f6f6f6f@tenzil>
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>Avon doesn't really understand people at all, and I don't think anyone's
>put forward a convincing example of him manipulating anybody. He _uses_
>people quite often, but that's not the same thing.
>
>Iain
>
Orac in Gambit, to get him to reduce his size.
Taina
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 10:25:33 -0500
From: Harriet Monkhouse <101637.2064@compuserve.com>
To: "INTERNET:blakes7@lysator.liu.se" <blakes7@lysator.liu.se>
Subject: [B7L] Re: Vila's past
Message-ID: <199811141025_MC2-6042-FE3F@compuserve.com>
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Allison asked:
>Who could have trained Vila, and how?
Other criminals, I'd have thought. I imagine the equivalents of Fagin and
the Artful Dodger were still around looking for new talent.
Harriet
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 12:09:49 EST
From: SuzanThoms@aol.com
To: blakes7@lysator.liu.se
Subject: [B7L] Vila's past
Message-ID: <a6f7a7f9.364db95d@aol.com>
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<< Harriet writes:
<< Other criminals, I'd have thought. I imagine the equivalents of Fagin
<< and the Artful Dodger were still around looking for new talent. >>
This has always been my assumption. I've always envisioned Vila as a young
Delta learning his trade from a Faginlike character. Then in and out of
juvenile detention in his teens, all the while making new contacts and
learning new techniques from fellow inmates. The impression being that there
wasn't much future (careerwise) for Deltas in the Domes.
Although, I've often wondered just exactly how "luxurious" the Alpha lifestyle
really was. The corridors and areas of the Dome we see Blake travelling in
"The Way Back" were (in my opinion) pretty dreary. Not much of a life that I
could see.
Suzanne
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998 01:25:47 +0000
From: Julia Jones <julia.jones@jajones.demon.co.uk>
To: blakes7@lysator.liu.se
Cc: B7 <blakes7@lysator.liu.se>
Subject: Re: [B7L] Re: Neil Faulkner on religion
Message-ID: <I7bF2FAbwNT2EwqV@jajones.demon.co.uk>
In message <000501be0f0e$bf29d0a0$82ba46c2@barny.ascada.com>, Gregory
Graham <greg@geharris.co.uk> writes
>Also does anyone know if Nicola is "Down and Safe" yet? She's supposed to
>be in Leeds about now but I haven't heard from her.
Was in Darlington tonight, watching Gareth Thomas in _The Crucible_
--
Julia Jones
"Don't philosophise with me, you electronic moron!"
The Turing test - as interpreted by Kerr Avon.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 11:00:59 +1100
From: "Afenech" <Fenech@onaustralia.com.au>
To: "lysator" <blakes7@lysator.liu.se>
Subject: [B7L] Defending Blake's honour
Message-Id: <01531010969005@domain4.bigpond.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
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It has been an interesting discussion!
Reading it day by day my eye was often drawn to the header - why, I
wondered, should it be necessary to defend Blake's honour? That there is
any question about it suggests at its heart that there is doubt about the
righteousness of his cause. But how can that be? Overwhelmingly, surely,
the impression we have from the stories is that the Federation is evil and
must be opposed. Is this in dispute? It may be for some, but not for me.
And because it is not, because I agree with Blake's assessment of it, and
empathise with his desire to see it defeated I do not question his
righteousness.
I have to admit that these discussions about Blake's purpose and means do
somewhat defeat me. I agree with his stand completely, therefore feel that
whatever he decides he must do is more than justified, yet still feel as
uncomfortable as Cally with the decision to destroy Star One ( largely
because Avon has provided him with a less drastic, viable - in my opinion-
alternative). But perhaps it is just that the business of opposing tyranny
is not one which can be argued neatly, it is far too complex. This is most
evident if you watch the film 'Michael Collins' where the complexity is
played out in reality (yes, yes, I know - what passes for reality in film,
but nonetheless it provides insight based on a situation somewhat the
same) there are the same dilemmas, men of good intention, fighting a
righteous cause, resorting to methods which by any civilized standard are
abhorrent. The film does not resolve any of these issues, perhaps because
they are unresolvable, or perhaps because in the end they are beside the
point?
The point, for me anyway, is that some things simply *must* be opposed
for their evil is self-evident and unarguable and if it is necessary to do
evil so that a greater good may come well perhaps the usual morality does
not apply? Is there a quote about the armies of evil being legion? Harriet
do you remember? Even if there is not then in the context of 'Blakes 7' it
is true enough. And Blake is but one against the legions. For me, because
of this, much of what is considered objectionable in his methods is
forgivable, for the sake of what he is attempting.
As for the manipulative suggestions - well, manipulation suggests, at
least to my mind, that those on the receiving end are unaware of it. I do
not believe you can be manipulated if you are aware of the attempt. To my
mind there is no-one aboard 'Liberator' who can be manipulated. None are
unintelligent. Gan perhaps is naive, though even this is debatable, but
none could be maneuvered into doing what they do not want to do by
manipulation. They, as Avon observes, allow themselves to be led, for
their own reasons. Just my perception of it. And I cannot see the
manipulation in 'Trial'. They could have left him. They choose not to. We
are not thinking of a group of naive idealists who might be manipulated
into feeling sympathy for Blake's dilemma - at least three of the four are
tough world-wise cynics, well armed against sentimentality. If they stay
and save him it is, to my mind anyway, because they choose to, for
whatever reasons, but not because they have been manipulated into making
the decision.
As for the lies - well, yes, he lies -smile- but I cannot help but
remember the many bendings of the truth I resorted to with my
argumentative children - you grow infinitely weary of the argument which
often enough is for no better reason than the sake of the argument! But
evasions of the truth notwithstanding once the mission is imminent they
are not forced, cajoled, manipulated into helping him. The choice as
always, as from the very beginning when he says 'I have told you what I am
going to do, what you do is up to yourselves.' is theirs.
Having worked for a long time in an organisation which withholds almost
all information from its employees I do not feel Blake does to any
significant extent - generally -smile- just my opinion.
Pat Fenech.
--------------------------------
End of blakes7-d Digest V98 Issue #285
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