http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/topic/1098/t/Project-Lorraine-.html en-us Copyright 2006, Yuku feeds@yuku.com (FeedMaster) webmaster@yuku.com (WebMaster) Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:31:44 GMT Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:56:34 GMT Yuku Feeds 1.0 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://static.yuku.com//feed/bypass/images/button-yuku.png http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/topic/1098/t/Project-Lorraine-.html Yuku - free hosted forums and profiles 88 31 {pics-1.1 "http://www.icra.org/ratingsv02.html" l gen true for "http://yuku.com" r (nz 1 vz 1 lz 1 oz 1 cz 1 ) "http://www.rsac.org/ratingsv01.html" l gen true for "http://yuku.com" r (n 0 s 0 v 0 l 0 )) Search Domain q http://yuku.com/search/direct/ http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7587/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7587
Have you considered offering this to a publisher? Baen Books (www.baen.com) tends to take non traditional writing/writers and turn them into good selling authors.

To set the record straight now, I am not now, nor have ever been, an employee of the publishing industry, nor a "finder" for said industry. I just happen to like... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Belushi TD) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7587 Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:56:34 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7586/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7586
D'uh, I can't relate to 'transmogriflying' Vampires, they're too fantastic.

When I tried to write a Vamp story, I first had to reconcile them with my reality. That was Bete Noir.

Then I came up with Project Lorraine as singular explanation for why Bete Noir's narrator has such insight. I thought I might get a dozen chapters out of it, was rather surprised to hit #20, barely managed to stop it at #30...

I actually drafted... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7586 Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:32:31 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7585/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7585
Is this coming out in print form anytime soon? Is a sequel planned? This is great stuff! At least as good as, and possibly better than, One Foot in the Grave by Wm. Mark Simmons.

Thank you SO MUCH!

Dave ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Belushi TD) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7585 Tue, 07 Nov 2006 11:59:29 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7584/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7584
It was one of those ideas that found a life of its own: 29_Days: 12th_Night includes the Amnesty system...

Mixed Vamp / Sap Hunting parties range out from The Nest across that despoiled countryside. They cull Zombies, protect beleaguered Sap farmsteads, intercept Rogues and Ferals, explore towns' and cities' ghastly ruins, even rescue survivors. They also convoy the daring wagon-trains trading between Nests, the few military Safe Zones and SOTM's... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7584 Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:44:04 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7583/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7583
Yes, I did propose to D.

Our pre-nuptial agreement was odd, to say the least: I'd make no claim on her inheritance or business, she'd accept SOTM's strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

It was a minimalist, Civil wedding-- No fuss, no ceremony, no reception, just the legalities to make our curious partnership official.

And where did D wish to honey-moon ? 'Surprise me !' she'd said. So, when I unzipped her mask, we'd vanished from the face... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7583 Thu, 02 Nov 2006 09:36:23 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7582/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7582
Sadly, one session was marred by a body-guard's attempted murder of a female catering student, then remorseful suicide. Mr Jones is to be commended for his prompt and skilful investigation of this Crime Passionale, allowing conference proceedings to remain on schedule. We extend our deepest sympathies to all... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7582 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:24:21 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7581/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7581
"Little Sapling ?"
The tone alone could start a fight.
I spun to a defensive stance, "Who wants to know ?"
A naked Vamp stepped from the shadowed cross-passage. He was alone. His expression was some-where between snarl and sneer. The blotchy pink on his right arm told me this was 3rd Nub.
"Time to die, Little Sapling !"
"Too kind !" I grinned, yelled, "HELP !"
He flinched from... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7581 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 12:01:32 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7580/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7580
"A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again."

I was still puzzling through implications of Broderik's past when the 'comm buzzed.
"Caf, Rhys speaking !"
"Chef, here, Rhys-- Could you help with Afternoon Tea in the Diner ?"
"Yes, Chef ! May I leave... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7580 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:30:48 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7579/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7579
I turned to the Caf's clientele, announced, "Elder Broderik is coming here for coffee-- If you wish to leave, best go now !"
There were a few gulps, more shook heads. No-one left...
"Thank you." I stated, got busy. I did not know how many would want Turkish. I had two cups in the wash, six ready. Had I seen another pair behind the 'Big Machine' spares ? I spared a minute to search, found the two... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7579 Thu, 26 Oct 2006 06:39:45 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7578/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7578
Elder Broderik snored through the Diner's usual clatter and commotion, even through the table clearing. He kept snoring while Mari and Mary swept then mopped around and across the Top Table. Talon and Nubs were asked nicely, once, then had to dodge both dancing broom and dripping mop.

The Delegation should not be left there, but waking Elder Broderik would be most rude. Monty, Frank and the Nest's TopTable Elders adjourned... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7578 Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:57:59 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7576/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7576
My first priority in private had to be the back-zip business. I dared not be caught short around visitors. I knew my wind smelled different. Vamps were not quite Obligate Carnivores, but they had a much shorter gut than a HomoSap, and it showed. I must expect paranoid Trad Vamps to notice such detail !!

Then I was too tense to have a nap or eat much. I nibbled a few spare ribs and a roll, barely tasted them. Still as Rhys, I... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7576 Thu, 19 Oct 2006 05:15:17 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7575/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7575
By the time I'd scrubbed and reached House Front, Joey had confiscated the Candies' hoods. If Elder Broderik wanted their pretty heads covered, then they'd wear authorised Catering hats-- albeit with a token green tab securely safety-pinned atop...

Now the Candies stood in front of the Diner's counter, flanked by Chef Joey and Sous-Chef Henry. Us Dinner Ladies formed behind the counter, our line dressed to near-military precision by... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7575 Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:42:49 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7574/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7574
When I dived behind the Caf counter, Pete must have had a moment of doubt. I heard him stand quickly. As he hesitated, I reached up with the one of the tiny demi-tasse cups I'd remembered seeing deep in the cupboards. I dug around, found seven more in dark corners, then a stack of matching saucers. I already had a traditional coffee mill, ready hung behind our two modern electric widgets. I just needed an 'ibrik' with the wide... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7574 Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:47:40 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7573/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7573
Lara greeted Rhys with a mix of alarm and relief. Between us, we ran both of the smaller coffee machines until the first rush eased. Lara hurried to Joey's aid. I kept the Youngsters plied, enjoyed their banter, watched food and caffeine repair their exhaustion...

By Sap standards, their recovery was almost miraculous. I'd triaged and/or treated enough victims of disease and mayhem to have mixed feelings at their progress. Within... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7573 Tue, 10 Oct 2006 16:57:33 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7572/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7572
I walked back to my room, shed tunic and briefs. After setting the alarm, I unzipped far enough to smear lots more baby-cream into my tender corners. The game run, the NewWorld Vamps' origins, the Titanic triple tragedy were buzzing in my brain: I lay awake on my bed-spread bath-towel for all of five minutes...

The alarm woke me after nearly three hours. I swapped out my fangs and contacts, brushed my teeth, put in precautionary... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7572 Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:47:15 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7571/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7571
Incidentally, #22 was very, very hard to write: Intimacy is NOT my usual fare, and striking a balance between border-line porn and outright farce was almost impossible. Up to yesterday, I'd almost decided to have 'Monty' cancel such frivolity. Fortunately, having that bug-out plan allowed me to have another try...

I'd appreciate comments. ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7571 Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:24:37 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7570/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7570
I was very, very glad to reach my room. The puddled sweat itched and rubbed where I was already sore. The usual places were beginning to throb. I shed my Lederhosen, the sodden T-shirt and briefs, stepped under the shower. After easing my zip open, I opened the taps and let tepid water pour in. Most missed, of course, but enough sluiced through. It helped.

I tried to remember how to wash leather, shrugged. I'd left my clothes within... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7570 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 16:11:14 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7569/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7569
With my light lunch gone, I nodded to Pete then strolled back to my room. Sitting a while gave me no clue to a SleepOver's hook, so I locked through and returned to the Diner as Rhys. There were plates to collect and tables to wipe. After that, I joined Mary in the wash-up area, scrubbed pans.

An unfamiliar catering Vamp put her head around the door, "We're just off to Elder Weft's workshop..."
"Okay, Candy... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7569 Sat, 30 Sep 2006 04:19:54 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7558/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7558 feeds@yuku.com (The Rock Doctor) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7558 Wed, 27 Sep 2006 17:14:03 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/reply/7568/t/Project-Lorraine-.html#reply-7568
I needed a while to find the way back to my room. Eventually, I followed the re-hung signs for the Diner, went from there. With Lederhosen folded, I emptied my valve and chose a different tunic. The Club was quite busy. I got a glass of tomato juice, found a quiet bench seat, had twenty minutes before Supper.

"Ah, there you are, young Chris !"
"Elder Frank !" I nodded, slid along to make space for him,... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/sreply/7568 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 18:06:32 GMT http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/topic/1098/t/Project-Lorraine-.html
It all began with another 'local difficulty' in central Africa.

Many fled, gathered across three borders in make-shift and increasingly insanitary camps. Inevitably, disease and malnutrition ran ahead of the limited aid. Red Cross, Medicin San Frontieres and the others did the impossible, kept the death rate down to the usual grim toll.

When a nurse took ill and died of a high fever, a haemorragic fever, no-one really noticed. What's... ]]> feeds@yuku.com (Nik aka Speaker To Cats) http://alternatehistoryfictory.yuku.com/topic/1098 Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:31:44 GMT