<div style="color:black;font: 10pt arial;"> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br> From: cokane8116@aol.com<br> To: tsa-talk@lists.integral.org <tsa-talk@lists.integral.org>; furry-lit@lists.integral.org <furry-lit@lists.integral.org>; pgeusz@icloud.com <pgeusz@icloud.com><br> Sent: Tue, Jan 12, 2021 12:43 am<br> Subject: COH Story - Hunting for the Ice Age part 1<br> <br> <div id="yiv9505831930"> <div style="color:black;font:10pt arial;"> <div><font size="5"><br> </font></div> <div><font size="5">Here is another Super Fox story set in the MMO City of Heroes. It is a side peice really and doesnt follow the main plot i have going but its a fun story. To understand you should read the story A Visit To The Islands first. It explains a lot. And it's also a fun story. Part 1 is here: https://www.deviantart.com/captfox/art/Super-Fox-story-17A-Visit-to-the-Islands-part1-387225260</font></div> <div><font size="2"><br> </font></div> <div><font size="2"><font size="5">My Thanks to Leo for his endless help with this!</font></font></div> <div><font size="2"><font size="5"><br> </font></font></div> <div><font size="2"><font size="5">Chris</font></font></div> <div><font size="2"><font size="5">The Lurking Fox<br> </font></font></div> <div><font size="2"><font size="5"><br> </font></font></div> <div><font size="2"><font size="5"></font><br> </font></div> <div><font size="2"><br> </font></div> <div><font size="2">******</font></div> <div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;" align="center"><b><u><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;">Hunting For The Ice Age</span></u></b></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;" align="center"><font size="5"><b><u><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;">by Christian OKane<br> </span></u></b></font></div> <font size="5"> </font> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><font size="5"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></font></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>It was snowing when they arrived. But then again it was always seemed to be snowing here. The air always had the crispness and cold of winter and the moisture that foretold of a coming storm or one just past.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>They had gone through a long list of questions at the airport in Bangor Maine. Have you had any of the following issues: influenza, typhoid, cold (of ANY sort) and a long list of issues he had never heard of. Also they had to confirm they had been vaccinated against an impressively long list of diseases. Most he had also never heard of except from the previous list.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>Finally they had to sign a release form that absolved the U.S. Government of any liability for injury or transformation occurring during their visit.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>Then the four people and a hundred pounds of camera, sound gear and even a camera drone and their personal possessions were loaded onto a S76 helicopter.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>The flight in had been rather boring at first. It had been sunny and warm August day when it took off and headed out to sea. Quickly the sky grew overcast and it got noticeably colder. Then it started to snow quite heavily. They noted that the pilots were flying using radar as the wind grew worse and the snow falling heavier.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The view outside the window was completely obscured by driving snow and ice. He placed his hand against the now ice-covered window. The cold ran thru his hand and he pulled it back. “Wow that’s cold!”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Be careful. The cold is really bitter here but it lightens up once we get closer to the lodge,” the pilot warned.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“How much further?” The man asked. He was tall with short, reddish blonde hair that told of Irish heritage somewhere in his family tree. A smile readily came to him in most times but at the moment he looked nervous.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>Seated across from him was his team. The black man wielding the camera was Allen Miller. He had been with the host for many years and they had gone all over the globe together.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The brown-haired woman next to him was a little on the short side but had a body that was well toned. It spoke of someone who exercised but not overly so. She was holding the mic that was recording everything the host was saying. Like Allen, Barbara had been with the show since the start.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>Usually for a show like this there was a half dozen other people doing all the myriad tasks needed to film. But considering the extreme situation it was decided to go with a bare minimum of people. So aside from Barbara and Allen there was Fred Mason. His official title was Technical assistant. Which meant he dealt with anything the other three couldn’t.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>All were bundled up heavily in parkas, gloves and arctic, cold weather gear. Back in Bangor it seemed like an overkill but now he wondered if it was enough.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The helicopter slowed and there was a soft bump as it landed. “All out,” the pilot commented. “We’re here.”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Where is here?” One passenger asked. He tried to look out the window but it was frosted over.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“The ice age,” the copilot responded.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The side door slid open and let in a blast of frigid air whipped through the compartment. The leader stepped down and found himself standing on a concrete platform partly covered by snow. The passengers and their luggage were quickly piled on the ground. In a spot not too covered with snow.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>In addition to the camera and recording gear they had 2, large, arctic tents, 4 heaters, enough survival rations for a week and their own personal gear. They were experienced enough to limit themselves to a single bag each for their personal items.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The wind whipped up as the helo took off; turning the air into a raging blizzard. It was several moments before the blowing snow had settled down. It revealed a landscape of deep snow and deeper wilderness. The area around the landing pad was clear of vegetation aside from a few small shrubs. Beyond that all he saw was tall, coniferous trees towering up and crowding close around. What impressed him the most was the silence. Once the noise of the helicopter had faded they were left alone in the silence of a forest. Only the soft whipping of the wind and the rustle of the trees.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>He wasn’t sure where he was but it certainly wasn’t the same world he had just left.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“I’m glad I remembered to bring along my thermal underwear,” Allen muttered.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>"Dr. Livingstone I presume?"</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>He turned in the direction of the voice.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The last of the wind finally died down revealing a figure standing close to him.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>It was not human.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The powerfully muscled body of a prime predator was sitting barely ten feet from him. His fur was a grayish white color that blended into the snow easily. His body had the lines and shape of a lion but without thick mane. The feline examined him with the gaze of a hunter.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Hello,” he said trying to remain calm. “I’m Jonathan Williams.” He pointed to the three people with him. “And this is my crew. We’re here from the television show Great Expeditions.”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Welcome,” the feline said in a powerful, male voice. “I’m Dr Philip Ferguson.”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“And I’m Dr Samantha Ferguson,” A female voice said. “We’re big fans of your show. We watch it all the time.”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>Jonathan turned in the direction of the voice and saw a female feline seated a mere ten feet away. She looked like a lioness but larger and her fur was gray but with spots of black scattered about.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Th – thank you for meeting us,” Jonathan said trying to stay calm.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The lioness gave a cough that might have been a laugh. “I’m sorry if we frightened you.”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“You’ve been waiting to do that for a long time. Haven’t you?” Jonathan asked.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Welcome to the Ice Age,” the lion said as the two felines slowly came towards them. It allowed Jonathan a better look at them.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The lioness was some 6 feet long from nose to base of tail and stood at least 3 feet tall at the shoulder. She weighed around 800 pounds. The male was even longer taller and heavier. Bigger. He was at least 1000 pounds and some 7 feet long.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“You’re a cat. A BIG cat!” he stuttered.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Wow!” The lion said sarcastically as he looked at his body. “I hadn’t noticed!”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“When they said you had gone native I didn’t think they meant it literally,” Jonathan joked.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“The best way to learn about something is to experience it firsthand,” the lion explained.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“We’ve learned so much already,” Samantha commented.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>“Let’s get all of you over to the main lodge and out of the cold,” she said. “Thankfully it’s not too far.”</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"><span style=""> </span>The new arrivals picked up their gear and the group with it’s feline guides headed out.</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;">**************</span></div> <div class="yiv9505831930MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:New serif;"> </span></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>