Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 6c The Cosmic Engineer - ch. 1 Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 12:34:59 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VIc - Lets Saddle Up On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 20:22:57 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007801 Stranger, now clean and sweetly smelling, headed out into the Planning Room, acknowledging comrades as he passed them by. He arrived at the console for the Cosmic Engineer. "I'm just about ready to head out and I think it's time we started searching for the Engineer." He looked enquiringly at Major west. "If everyone's ready I think I should guide a small recon detachment, as I've already partly explored the Blue Horizon. The doorways are Telegates and setting all zeroes on the controls took me to the surface of the sphere. I'm guessing some other regular combination will get us to the bridge or computer core." "If the passwall is still in effect we can walk there." "Who's coming with me? I think initially we should get onto the Horizon and check we can still communicate back to the Planning Room here." ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 17:04:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 18:50:27 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007805 At some point, the Robinsons slipped out of the planning room for the armory, at Don's request, leaving Robot and Smith behind to listen and inform them of anything new. After some discussion with the attendants, they each came out with an armload of gear and found a danger room in which to practice with it. "Let's see," Will said, scrolling though the list of opponents, "This room can create several thousand different types of virtual opponents... at least in the general catagory... wonder what Borg are?" "Can it just give us a simple target range?" Don asked, apparently having hit his limit for being impressed today. Will tapped a few selections and the doors slid open on a sunny field. "How's this?" Don looked in the room and nodded, "Standard target range for military training. A bit old fashioned even." Will nodded, "Circa 1960, the thing said," entering the 'room' with the rest of the family close behind. "Alright," Don said, "Let's get started. Will, you want to run over the new pistols?" Will nodded. "The pistols in your hip holsters are designed just like ours, the trigger on the grip is for firing, there's no safety, though, or not one like we're used to. The grip is the safety. You have to be holding the pistol properly for it to fire. This way if you drop it, it doesn't go off. There's a set of controls on the top to adjust the settings. There are five. Light stun, heavy stun, light kill, heavy kill, continuous beam." Maureen looked puzzled, "Light kill and heavy kill?" Will nodded, "Light kill is like a bullet, you can kill with it if you hit the right spot. Heavy kill is like a cannonball. If you hit with that, your target is probably dead. But that's still not a guarentee. If you hit an extremety, you can take it off without killing them." Don said, "Right. In the Civil War, cannonballs could take off hands. But you could survive that. Therefore, don't assume just because it was set heavy kill that your opponent will be dead immediately from the wound. Okay, everyone take a stance facing the targets and we'll go over the right way to fire these things and you can see what they do." "Hang on a second," Will said then, "Computer, create a live target able to duplicate human responses thirty feet from my current position on the target range." A figure in green combat fatigues appeared on the range, standing at ease. Will withdrew his holster and aimed. He bit his lip. "Computer, make the target less realistic in appearance." The computer complied and the target took on a more computer generated, pixelated appearance. Will nodded. "Thank you. Guy looked too real for my tastes. Okay, light stun." Don grinned as Will fired. The pixel private fell over, but got up a minute later. "Here's heavy stun," Will fired again, the target falling, this time for five minutes. "End live target demonstration," Will turned to the targets at the end of the field. "Light kill," He proceeded to put a quarter-inch diameter hole through the center of the wood target at the 50 foot mark. "Heavy kill." The target expanded the hole to twelve inches in diameter. Will made the final switch, announcing, "Cutting beam," then sliced the top half of the target off over the next five seconds. Will holstered the pistol and snapped the flap over it. Don nodded, "Alright, everyone give it a shot." After target practice, they went over the space suits with included forcefields, creating a space simulation environment for that, then called for an attendant. They found some rooms for themselves, freshened up, and, on Penny's impulse, changed out of their normal jumpsuits for regular attire created by the wardrobe that was, generally, more in tune with the more casual members of the Callahanians. Will, Major West, and Penny reentered the planning room, all three having decided on jeans, white t-shirts and work boots, Will adopting a denim jacket, Don, a flannel jacket, and Penny just a light-weight cotton shirt. "Thanks for waiting, Doctor Smith, Robot," Penny said, "We've found a place Robot can recharge and you can freshen up and get something to eat." She added with a slight smile, "Earth-grown food, even." Smith blinked, "Earth-grown?" This was the magic word for the 'good doctor'. "Lead on, dear girl, lead on." He said happily, glanced back at Robot, "Come along, you lumbering lump of lead." Don waited until he was sure they were out of earshot, then said, "I'm afraid I need to impose a bit further on all of your hospitality. Can you see to it that Smith is pleasantly preoccupied while we come and go? Some good food, music and a few attendants should do it. "He's..." and here Major West struggled for a word, "not dangerous intentionally... anymore, at least, but in need of a babysitter. Especially here. As we're all going to be likely trading off on portions of this scavenger hunt, it'd be good to know, just in case, that if we are somehow all needed, he's still safely out of the way. We can do it if we need to, but it would be one less worry." After that is settled one way or another, Major West turned to Stranger and nodded in agreement with his remarks. "Getting started sounds like a good idea. What sort of scouting did you have in mind? If it's up my alley, I'd like Will and I to go along, but well, listening to this bunch, I don't guarentee that my idea of scouting is yours." After things got clarified, Major West looked at the group going on the (possible) Blue Horizon. "While we're at it, if I'm directing this bunch, I'd like to get a pecking order out of the way first." Glancing at Stranger, he said, "You're more familiar with this group than me, I want you as a second. If something happens to me, try and salvage the mission if it looks possible. And if I'm not exploiting a talent I don't know about, tell me. "That last part goes for everyone though, if a situation arises that suits a special skill of yours, let me know. Just remember, I've got last word on the subject. Debate's good sometimes, but not in combat." Don then turned to Eric, "You're third. Your sole job is to get everyone out alive if something happens to the two of us. At that point, with such a small group, you're probably going to need every last man," the major then glanced at Rio, "...Person, rather, to do it. You mentioned you'd handled that position before, so this shouldn't be new territory for you." The major glanced around, "If there are no questions, let's get going." ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 21:37:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lets Saddle Up On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 21:08:24 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007814 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 20:22:57 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007801 > >"Who's coming with me? I think initially we should get onto the >Horizon and check we can still communicate back to the Planning Room >here." "Sounds good," the Hunter says, nodding. "I'll join the recon team, if there are no objections." > (OOC: About time! Yee-sprockin'-hah! 8^) >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 18:50:27 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007805 > Don then turned to Eric, "You're third. Your sole job is to get >everyone out alive if something happens to the two of us. At that >point, with such a small group, you're probably going to need every >last man," the major then glanced at Rio, "...Person, rather, to do >it. You mentioned you'd handled that position before, so this >shouldn't be new territory for you." Hunter nods. "It boiled down to me holding off...the creature...while everyone else ran. Except for the fool who ignored me and tried to hit him from behind. He died. But I'm used to salvaging busted hunts." His smile turns sardonic. "When they decide to turn a man into a legend, they rarely mention the times he has to run with his tail between his legs." For all his dry wit and casual air, though, something about him has...changed. He's not exactly happy, but he seems more...comfortable, at least. In his element. > The major glanced around, "If there are no questions, let's get >going." Hunter nods again and falls into line. ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 22:34:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 21:50:02 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007817 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 18:50:27 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007805 > > "Thanks for waiting, Doctor Smith, Robot," Penny said, "We've >found a place Robot can recharge and you can freshen up and get >something to eat." She added with a slight smile, "Earth-grown food, >even." > Smith blinked, "Earth-grown?" This was the magic word for the >'good doctor'. "Lead on, dear girl, lead on." He said happily, >glanced back at Robot, "Come along, you lumbering lump of lead." > Don waited until he was sure they were out of earshot, then >said, "I'm afraid I need to impose a bit further on all of your >hospitality. Can you see to it that Smith is pleasantly preoccupied >while we come and go? Some good food, music and a few attendants >should do it. > "He's..." and here Major West struggled for a word, "not >dangerous intentionally... anymore, at least, but in need of a >babysitter. Especially here. As we're all going to be likely trading >off on portions of this scavenger hunt, it'd be good to know, just in >case, that if we are somehow all needed, he's still safely out of the >way. We can do it if we need to, but it would be one less worry." "As I recall, he has a weakness for riches. Or anything that would let him get rich once he gets back to earth. And he should still have *some* ordinary scientific curiousity left..." "I could ask him to sort thru some of the store rooms to see if the uncatalogued items might be of use. I'm sure he'll find lots of valuables and many gadgets that he could seel for a fortune back on Earth. And we won't miss any of them. Because I'll stock the store rooms *personally*." Nemo smiles. "Think that'll keep him out of trouble?" ================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 22:34:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE VIc - Lock and Load (was Lets Saddle Up ;-) On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 21:59:55 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007818 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 21:08:24 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007814 > >>On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 20:22:57 -0700 >>Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007801 >> >>"Who's coming with me? I think initially we should get onto the >>Horizon and check we can still communicate back to the Planning Room >>here." > > "Sounds good," the Hunter says, nodding. "I'll join the recon >team, if there are no objections." "I'm in," Rio pipes up. She looks at her brother, expecting an argument. "With my time skills, I can look back down the time stream, and forward at least somewhat until things branch too much. And as much as I'm sure we can trust the instincts and reflexes of you warrior types, a little danger-sense couldn't hurt either." "I'm sure you can do that over the link," Eric replies curtly. "Probably. But not as well. _Neither_ of us have gotten to be experts with that thing yet," she says pointedly, gesturing at his lens. >> The major glanced around, "If there are no questions, let's get >>going." > > Hunter nods again and falls into line. (OOC: Unless Roger indicates otherwise, I'm assuming the two of them will be keeping pretty close company. As long as it doesn't interfere with the mission, of course ;-). ================================= Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 10:36:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lets Saddle Up On Sat, 22 Oct 1983 10:32:57 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007829 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 20:22:57 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007801 > >"Who's coming with me? I think initially we should get onto the >Horizon and check we can still communicate back to the Planning Room >here." "You guys are splitting up? Well if ya don't mind I think I'd rather come with you. The Kid didn't say anything about any particular group to help out and just the taste of that Guild thing just ain't right to me. It's like sucking the blood out of a corpse. You can do it, but that don't neccisarially mean it's a good thing. 'Sides, you look like youre headed for a fight and that's where I does my best shinin anyways." Joe grins at Stranger, pulling out another Zagnut bar and offering it to him. ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 12:45:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lets Saddle Up On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 20:07:11 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007838 > "You guys are splitting up? Well if ya don't mind I think I'd rather >come with you. The Kid didn't say anything about any particular group >to help out and just the taste of that Guild thing just ain't right >to me. It's like sucking the blood out of a corpse. You can do it, >but that don't neccisarially mean it's a good thing. 'Sides, you look >like youre headed for a fight and that's where I does my best shinin >anyways." Joe grins at Stranger, pulling out another Zagnut bar and >offering it to him. Stranger accepts, somewhat tentatively, as if half expecting the bar to explode or something. "I'm hoping to avoid a fight if possible." "Hmmm, not bad at all." ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 12:46:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 20:23:57 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007839 >On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 18:50:27 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007805 > > After that is settled one way or another, Major West turned to >Stranger and nodded in agreement with his remarks. > "Getting started sounds like a good idea. What sort of scouting >did you have in mind? If it's up my alley, I'd like Will and I to go >along, but well, listening to this bunch, I don't guarentee that my >idea of scouting is yours." "Initially I want to find the Blue Horizons control room or computer core and establish communications back to here." > After things got clarified, Major West looked at the group going >on the (possible) Blue Horizon. "While we're at it, if I'm directing >this bunch, I'd like to get a pecking order out of the way first." > Glancing at Stranger, he said, "You're more familiar with this >group than me, I want you as a second. If something happens to me, >try and salvage the mission if it looks possible. And if I'm not >exploiting a talent I don't know about, tell me. "Fine by me." > "That last part goes for everyone though, if a situation arises >that suits a special skill of yours, let me know. Just remember, I've >got last word on the subject. Debate's good sometimes, but not in >combat." > Don then turned to Eric, "You're third. Your sole job is to get >everyone out alive if something happens to the two of us. At that >point, with such a small group, you're probably going to need every >last man," the major then glanced at Rio, "...Person, rather, to do >it. You mentioned you'd handled that position before, so this >shouldn't be new territory for you." > The major glanced around, "If there are no questions, let's get >going." Stranger fell in near the head of the group. It was larger than he'd had in mind, but they had a broad range of information gathering talents between them. As they walked he explained what he knew about the teleport gates on the Blue Horizon and how setting them to all zeroes landed him on the dyson sphere. "If we get split up I suggest making your way back to the dyson sphere and regrouping." ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 15:04:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lock and Load (was Lets Saddle Up ;-) On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 17:59:59 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007841 >In a message dated 10/22/99 1:35:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >rio writes: > >(OOC: Unless Roger indicates otherwise, I'm assuming the two of them >will be keeping pretty close company. As long as it doesn't interfere >with the mission, of course ;-). OOC: But of course! Just because proximity to Rio makes his brain melt doesn't mean Roger is going to lose track of...of...er, what were we talking about again? /OOC Roger moves over to where the recon team is starting to come together. "Major? If no one has any objections, I'd like to sign on. I also have a point to raise: the target vessel could, potentially, have an internal volume that would dwarf this Dyson Sphere. Searching that could take some extreme amounts of time. I've been giving the matter some thought, and while we were in the armory I took the liberty of hacking together something that might be of use." He holds up what looks like a loose pile of dust that seems to 'swirl' in his palm. "Nano drones. Rather coarse in nanotech terms, actually, but I wanted to keep the Von Neumann Index below .75, to avoid setting off any 'grey goo' alarms aboard the ship. I had the armorers fab up enough to map out the worst case honeycomb scenario in a reasonable amount of time. A few dozen of these can map a chamber in short order, and a single one left behind can act as a communication relay as the rest move on -- plus backups for redundancy, of course." OOC: this might be redundant -- the last roster post I saw had Nemisis (or a Nemisis split?) going with team 3. She might well be more capable than Roger's quick hack. As for "a reasonable amount of time," I left that vague for the GM's discretion. /OOC ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 16:04:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lock and Load (was Lets Saddle Up ;-) On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 17:54:18 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007842 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 17:59:59 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007841 > >"Major? If no one has any objections, I'd like to sign on. I also >have a point to raise: the target vessel could, potentially, have an >internal volume that would dwarf this Dyson Sphere. Searching that >could take some extreme amounts of time. I've been giving the matter >some thought, and while we were in the armory I took the liberty of >hacking together something that might be of use." He holds up what >looks like a loose pile of dust that seems to 'swirl' in his palm. >"Nano drones. Rather coarse in nanotech terms, actually, but I >wanted to keep the Von Neumann Index below .75, to avoid setting off >any 'grey goo' alarms aboard the ship. I had the armorers fab up >enough to map out the worst case honeycomb scenario in a reasonable >amount of time. A few dozen of these can map a chamber in short >order, and a single one left behind can act as a communication relay >as the rest move on -- plus backups for redundancy, of course." Major West looks at William bemusedly, "I understood he wanted to come along, then he started speaking in tongues." Will grins, "The ship could be bigger than our solar system. It'll take forever without some help. He's slapped together some sort of dust-sized machines that can fan out and map the ship for us." Don nods, reevaluating the dust storm in Roger's hand, "Each one of those things is a machine.... right, of course.... what about the German?" Will Robinson shrugs, "No idea, except I guess the dust motes there're suposed to not look dangerous to whoever runs across them." The major shrugs, "Alright, yer in. Get in line, we're leaving as of now. Lead the way, uh, Stranger." ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 17:04:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 18:15:25 -0500 (CDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007843 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 20:23:57 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007839 > >>On Thu, 21 Oct 1999 18:50:27 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007805 >> >> After that is settled one way or another, Major West turned to >>Stranger and nodded in agreement with his remarks. >> "Getting started sounds like a good idea. What sort of scouting >>did you have in mind? If it's up my alley, I'd like Will and I to go >>along, but well, listening to this bunch, I don't guarentee that my >>idea of scouting is yours." > >"Initially I want to find the Blue Horizons control room or computer >core and establish communications back to here." "That's up Will's alley at least." Don replies, "Good plan." Don nods toward Roger and his dust as he passes Stranger, "That was more what I was wondering. My idea of scouting is one or two people, three tops, going ahead of the main group and checking out the terrain. His is technodust in the wind. I think if it works, we'll want to go with his, but if not, we'll put you ahead of the caravan and do things the old fashioned way... assuming you haven't got more ideas like his in mind. If so, we'll try that, -then- fall back to the old fashioned ways." Like Stranger, he's a bit surprized at the numbers of the group, but they can always split it down the middle and cover more territory that way. As they make their way to the ship, Don nods in agreement with Stranger's regrouping tactics, but doesn't add anything except a reminder to show him the procedure before they leave the first room. >foot then go through and through the portal to the teleport door to >the ship.> ================================= Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 18:33:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lock and Load (was Lets Saddle Up ;-) On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 21:18:00 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007844 In a message dated 10/23/99 7:04:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time, mjknight writes: Roger.technobabble snipped: > Major West looks at William bemusedly, "I understood he wanted >to come along, then he started speaking in tongues." Roger's eyebrows bounce, and he begins to look embarrassed... > Will grins, "The ship could be bigger than our solar system. >It'll take forever without some help. He's slapped together some sort >of dust-sized machines that can fan out and map the ship for us." > Don nods, reevaluating the dust storm in Roger's hand, "Each one >of those things is a machine.... right, of course.... what about the >German?" Roger opens his mouth-- > Will Robinson shrugs, "No idea, except I guess the dust motes >there're suposed to not look dangerous to whoever runs across them." And closes it again. After all, what's the point? > The major shrugs, "Alright, yer in. Get in line, we're leaving >as of now. Lead the way, uh, Stranger." "Yes sir." Roger says without any trace of mockery. "Say," he adds to Will, "could I hire you as a translator?" ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 03:34:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:27:03 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007846 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 18:15:25 -0500 (CDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007843 > > Don nods toward Roger and his dust as he passes Stranger, "That >was more what I was wondering. My idea of scouting is one or two >people, three tops, going ahead of the main group and checking out >the terrain. His is technodust in the wind. I think if it works, >we'll want to go with his, but if not, we'll put you ahead of the >caravan and do things the old fashioned way... assuming you haven't >got more ideas like his in mind. If so, we'll try that, -then- fall >back to the old fashioned ways." "Works for me." > As they make their way to the ship, Don nods in agreement with >Stranger's regrouping tactics, but doesn't add anything except a >reminder to show him the procedure before they leave the first room. > >>>on foot then go through and through the portal to the teleport door >>to the ship.> > > They head out of the castle, up to the passwall area. Stranger pauses briefly before the passwall. He looks back towards the castle, then down at his feet. Dust was already starting to cling to his newly clean boots. He sighs. "Everyone set?" One by one they started to pass through... ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 08:04:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 07:35:10 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007848 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 20:23:57 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007839 > >Stranger fell in near the head of the group. It was larger than he'd >had in mind, but they had a broad range of information gathering >talents between them. As they walked he explained what he knew about >the teleport gates on the Blue Horizon and how setting them to all >zeroes landed him on the dyson sphere. > >"If we get split up I suggest making your way back to the dyson >sphere and regrouping." Joe follows along at the back of the group, listening to the instructions with no problem. Seeing everyone else's really strange looking guns, he decides maybe he should get Baby ready. Joe reaches into his trenchcoat and pulls out a Thompson Sub Machinegun. A careful inspection to make sure it was clean and everything looked in working order, and then he pulled out a 100 round drum magazine from the other side of his coat. Clicking it in place, he racked the gun once to chamber it and then held it straight up with one hand, "Ok, I'm ready. Let's go sightseein." ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 15:23:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lets Saddle Up On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:15:51 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007849 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007829 > "You guys are splitting up? Well if ya don't mind I think I'd rather >come with you. The Kid didn't say anything about any particular group >to help out and just the taste of that Guild thing just ain't right >to me. It's like sucking the blood out of a corpse. You can do it, >but that don't neccisarially mean it's a good thing. 'Sides, you look >like youre headed for a fight and that's where I does my best shinin >anyways." Joe grins at Stranger, pulling out another Zagnut bar and >offering it to him. /*"The Kid? And which Kid would you be referring to?"*/ Aurora asks. ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 16:47:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:30:40 -0400 "Shadow" Said As CAoL Message # 00007851 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:27:03 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007846 > >>Michael Knight wrote: >> >>> Stranger wrote: >>> >>>>>on foot then go through and through the portal to the teleport door >>>to the ship.> >> >> Rhiannon stands and follows as everyone leaves the building. >They head out of the castle, up to the passwall area. > >Stranger pauses briefly before the passwall. He looks back towards >the castle, then down at his feet. Dust was already starting to cling >to his newly clean boots. He sighs. > >"Everyone set?" Rhia nods, and waits her turn to go through the passwall. ^We're off. See you later.^ ^Take care of yourself.^ John sends back. Rhia 'feels' a kiss on her forehead and half-smiles. ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:35:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:04:39 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007855 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:27:03 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007846 > >>On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 18:15:25 -0500 (CDT) >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007843 >> >> Don nods toward Roger and his dust as he passes Stranger, "That >>was more what I was wondering. My idea of scouting is one or two >>people, three tops, going ahead of the main group and checking out >>the terrain. His is technodust in the wind. I think if it works, >>we'll want to go with his, but if not, we'll put you ahead of the >>caravan and do things the old fashioned way... assuming you haven't >>got more ideas like his in mind. If so, we'll try that, -then- fall >>back to the old fashioned ways." > >"Works for me." Eric just shrugs and nods; he doesn't look exactly eager to continue, but he hardly looks like he'd rather stay in the castle, either. He just looks...ready. >They head out of the castle, up to the passwall area. > >Stranger pauses briefly before the passwall. He looks back towards >the castle, then down at his feet. Dust was already starting to cling >to his newly clean boots. He sighs. > >"Everyone set?" Eric nods; he's already moving towards shadows, darker corners, as they approach. He seems to meld with them - nothing supernatural, just skill. >One by one they started to pass through... Unless he's ordered otherwise, Eric will be among the first. ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:35:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:08:55 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007856 >On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 07:35:10 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007848 > > Joe follows along at the back of the group, listening to the >instructions with no problem. Seeing everyone else's really strange >looking guns, he decides maybe he should get Baby ready. > Joe reaches into his trenchcoat and pulls out a Thompson Sub >Machinegun. A careful inspection to make sure it was clean and >everything looked in working order, and then he pulled out a 100 >round drum magazine from the other side of his coat. Clicking it in >place, he racked the gun once to chamber it and then held it straight >up with one hand, "Ok, I'm ready. Let's go sightseein." Eric looks over the Tommy with appreciation, the way a car nut might ogle an immaculately kept '64 Mustang. "Nice. You might want to check out the armory this place has, though. Even if you don't pick up one of their Buck Rogers ray guns, they have weird clips that never run out. I picked up a couple for my Glocks." ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:06:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:02:57 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007857 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 17:59:59 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007841 > >>In a message dated 10/22/99 1:35:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >>rio writes: >> (OOC: Unless Roger indicates otherwise, I'm assuming the two of >>them will be keeping pretty close company. As long as it doesn't >>interfere with the mission, of course ;-). > >OOC: But of course! Just because proximity to Rio >makes his brain melt doesn't mean Roger is going to lose track >of...of...er, what were we talking about again? >/OOC OOC: Just didn't want to take _too_ many liberties with your character. At least, not by way of writing him for you. _Rio_, OTOH.... >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 21:18:00 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007844 > >>In a message dated 10/23/99 7:04:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >>mjknight writes: >> >>Roger.technobabble snipped: >> >> Major West looks at William bemusedly, "I understood he wanted >>to come along, then he started speaking in tongues." > >Roger's eyebrows bounce, and he begins to look embarrassed... And a smile struggles to reach Rio's lips. >> Will grins, "The ship could be bigger than our solar system. >>It'll take forever without some help. He's slapped together some >>sort of dust-sized machines that can fan out and map the ship for >>us." >> Don nods, reevaluating the dust storm in Roger's hand, "Each >>one of those things is a machine.... right, of course.... what about >>the German?" > >Roger opens his mouth-- Rio raises an eyebrow. >> Will Robinson shrugs, "No idea, except I guess the dust motes >>there're suposed to not look dangerous to whoever runs across them." > >And closes it again. After all, what's the point? The smile finally wins. >> The major shrugs, "Alright, yer in. Get in line, we're leaving >>as of now. Lead the way, uh, Stranger." > >"Yes sir." Roger says without any trace of mockery. "Say," he adds to >Will, "could I hire you as a translator?" Rio giggles quietly. >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:27:03 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007846 > >They head out of the castle, up to the passwall area. Rio walks with her arm linked with Roger's. She is staying very alert and aware of her surroundings, however. >One by one they started to pass through... > >find through the portal?> ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 23:04:43 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lets Saddle Up On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 22:20:51 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007859 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:15:51 EDT >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007849 > >>Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007829 >> >> "You guys are splitting up? Well if ya don't mind I think I'd >>rather come with you. The Kid didn't say anything about any >>particular group to help out and just the taste of that Guild thing >>just ain't right to me. It's like sucking the blood out of a corpse. >>You can do it, but that don't neccisarially mean it's a good thing. >>'Sides, you look like youre headed for a fight and that's where I >>does my best shinin anyways." Joe grins at Stranger, pulling out >>another Zagnut bar and offering it to him. > >/*"The Kid? And which Kid would you be referring to?"*/ Aurora asks. Joe shrugs, "Roscoe's Kid. or Nefew or whatever it was. I think his name was Squee." ================================= Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 23:04:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 22:36:37 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007860 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:08:55 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007856 > Eric looks over the Tommy with appreciation, the way a car nut >might ogle an immaculately kept '64 Mustang. "Nice. You might want to >check out the armory this place has, though. Even if you don't pick >up one of their Buck Rogers ray guns, they have weird clips that >never run out. I picked up a couple for my Glocks." Joe shrugs a bit. "Al kept tryin to get me to change to somethin more modern too. I dunno though. I just like the feel of baby in my hands. She's always done me good. Thugs go commin at me with them modern playtoys and Baby instantly teaches them some respect. Adn I don't go for that magic stuff no ways. Don't like it. And it don't generally like me. Heck, dis amulet's even more magic than I like, but thusfar it's worked ta keep the sun offa me, so we'll just see. But ya get too much magic on yas, and magic comes looking for ya." ================================= Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 02:07:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 22:54:05 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007863 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:27:03 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007846 > >Stranger pauses briefly before the passwall. He looks back towards >the castle, then down at his feet. Dust was already starting to >cling to his newly clean boots. He sighs. > >"Everyone set?" An obvious image of Nemo appears. "Are you just going to create a map as you go, or are you going to relay the info from the scouts back out and have us make a master map in the castle?" ================================= Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 13:34:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Tue, 26 Oct 1999 20:50:49 -0700 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007866 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 22:54:05 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007863 > >"Are you just going to create a map as you go, or are you going to >relay the info from the scouts back out and have us make a master map >in the castle?" "Well I was planning on wandering around randomly until I found what I was looking for." Seeing the dispariging looks of his compatriots he adds... "OK, OK, I'll attempt to relay the info back to the war room for the systems there to track. If communication fails I'll map as I go along." ================================= Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 16:34:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lets Saddle Up On Tue, 26 Oct 1999 15:51:11 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00007867 >On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 22:20:51 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007859 > >>On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 18:15:51 EDT >>Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00007849 >> >>/*"The Kid? And which Kid would you be referring to?"*/ Aurora asks. > > Joe shrugs, "Roscoe's Kid. or Nefew or whatever it was. I think his >name was Squee." On Earth-9, Morgan's ears perk up at this. /Squee?/ she asks, leaving Joe off the transmission for now. /Last we heard of him, he'd killed Roscoe in Arcadia. I suggest we be _very_ careful around our new companion./ /'Caution until you're sure, then a little more caution,'/ Eric quotes calmly, /but I doubt the Kindred would be so free with the name if he knew it would cause trouble. He might be using reverse psychology, true, but just using the name appears to have raised a few hackles, and most vampires of my experience are too savvy for that./ /True enough,/ Morgan concedes, /but he could also be an unwitting accomplice in whatever the little rat has planned./ The mental picture accompanying the statement shows her choice of words to not be entirely metaphor. /In fact..../ She tightens her comm even more, basically making it a 'private' link to each member currently with the team. /Correct me if I'm wrong, folx, but didn't Squee _have_ a minilens?/ OOC: Hope that doesn't spoil your fun, Dris, but I can't see Morgan overlooking that little fact. :-) ================================= Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 16:34:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Tue, 26 Oct 1999 15:32:57 -0700 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007868 >On Tue, 26 Oct 1999 20:50:49 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007866 > >>On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 22:54:05 PST >>Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007863 >> >>"Are you just going to create a map as you go, or are you going to >>relay the info from the scouts back out and have us make a master >>map in the castle?" > >"Well I was planning on wandering around randomly until I found what >I was looking for." > >Seeing the dispariging looks of his compatriots he adds... > >"OK, OK, I'll attempt to relay the info back to the war room for the >systems there to track. If communication fails I'll map as I go >along." "And there's always Roger's nano-drones," Rio adds helpfully. ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 11:15:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE VIc - Lock and Load (was Lets Saddle Up ;-) On 10-27-1999 at 11:00:45 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007873 >On Sat, 23 Oct 1999 17:59:59 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007841 > >Roger moves over to where the recon team is starting to come >together. "Major? If no one has any objections, I'd like to sign on. >I also have a point to raise: the target vessel could, potentially, >have an internal volume that would dwarf this Dyson Sphere. Searching >that could take some extreme amounts of time. I've been giving the >matter some thought, and while we were in the armory I took the >liberty of hacking together something that might be of use." He holds >up what looks like a loose pile of dust that seems to 'swirl' in his >palm. "Nano drones. Rather coarse in nanotech terms, actually, but I >wanted to keep the Von Neumann Index below .75, to avoid setting off >any 'grey goo' alarms aboard the ship. I had the armorers fab up >enough to map out the worst case honeycomb scenario in a reasonable >amount of time. A few dozen of these can map a chamber in short >order, and a single one left behind can act as a communication relay >as the rest move on -- plus backups for redundancy, of course." "A Good point on the Von Neumann Index, (Aside to Major West, "Ability to Reproduce from local materials."), If we see signs that my presence is setting off such alarms, My Split will withdraw Immediately, From the Stranger's Description, You will need a Carrier Drone able to operate the Door Controls." A Model scale closed cabin HoverCar, Roughly 12l x 6w x 2h inches Approaches. With a Pair of 3 claw manipulators... "This device was Constructed by Nanites, but Does not contain any nanites at this time, Not even for a Self-Repair Feature... It does however have a Sub-Sentient Smart-System Computer, I can Equip it with 300 Grams of Materials Storage, and A Nano Manipulator Based Assembly line, To produce your design at need, This method unlike the Standard Nano-Assembler Swarm, Should not trigger Rogue Nano Detectors..., If that suits your needs, I can set up a product line to assemble several hundred per hour." >OOC: this might be redundant -- the last roster post I saw had >Nemisis (or a Nemisis split?) going with team 3. She might well be >more capable than Roger's quick hack. As for "a reasonable amount of >time," I left that vague for the GM's discretion. /OOC ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 11:15:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On 10-27-1999 at 11:00:46 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007874 >On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:27:03 -0700 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007846 > >Stranger pauses briefly before the passwall. He looks back towards >the castle, then down at his feet. Dust was already starting to cling >to his newly clean boots. He sighs. The First to arrive in the area will do a, ' I know it was around here somewhere, Oh there it is a few steps away...' As the Fact that it is 'Expected' to be here, Causes it to reform... If that person is a magic user of any kind, they will realize what has happened... Others might anyway... >One by one they started to pass through... > >find through the portal?> Back on the Outside of the Dyson Sphere, A Nemisis Split Waits, A large number of Flammable Hazard Signs have been Erected, And the Hatch to the ship is still open. "I am the Split which will accompany you, Unless your Safety requires my departure." ================================= Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 13:04:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 27 Oct 1983 12:11:20 -0700 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007877 >On 10-27-1999 at 11:00:46 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007874 > >"I am the Split which will accompany you, > Unless your Safety requires my departure." Joe looks at all the signs around with a bit of a look of alarm on his face, "Uh are we sure about this? I mean if all these sings is right with all these pieces around..." ================================= Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:34:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:00:51 -0700 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007887 >On Mon, 24 Oct 1983 22:36:37 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007860 > >>On Sun, 24 Oct 1999 17:08:55 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007856 >> >> Eric looks over the Tommy with appreciation, the way a car nut >>might ogle an immaculately kept '64 Mustang. "Nice. You might want >>to check out the armory this place has, though. Even if you don't >>pick up one of their Buck Rogers ray guns, they have weird clips >>that never run out. I picked up a couple for my Glocks." > > Joe shrugs a bit. "Al kept tryin to get me to change to somethin >more modern too. I dunno though. I just like the feel of baby in my >hands. She's always done me good. Thugs go commin at me with them >modern playtoys and Baby instantly teaches them some respect. Eric almost-smiles and nods. > Adn I don't go for that magic stuff no ways. Don't like it. And it >don't generally like me. Heck, dis amulet's even more magic than I >like, but thusfar it's worked ta keep the sun offa me, so we'll just >see. But ya get too much magic on yas, and magic comes looking for >ya." "Oh, I understand," Eric replies, the almost-smile fading back to his usual 'all business' expression. "I still have my Glocks and my regular clips. Still, I've been to enough weird places, even one where my old Colt didn't work, to know it's a good idea to have the whatever the local equivalent of a pistol is." Not much later... >On Thu, 27 Oct 1983 12:11:20 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007877 > > Joe looks at all the signs around with a bit of a look of alarm on >his face, "Uh are we sure about this? I mean if all these sings is >right with all these pieces around..." Eric's tone gets even drier, if possible. "Do you want to live forever? "Still, given the mention of flammable atmospheres, I think that alternate weaponry would be wise. Even my gusari might strike a spark on the wrong surface." ================================= Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 06:50:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On 10-30-1999 at 06:45:29 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007892 >On Thu, 27 Oct 1983 12:11:20 -0700 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007877 > > Joe looks at all the signs around with a bit of a look of alarm on >his face, "Uh are we sure about this? I mean if all these sings is >right with all these pieces around..." "Those only apply Out here on the Surface of the Dyson Sphere, In the realm between the Crystal Spheres, Once we get into the Ship via That Hatch," She Points " That Hazard will be past until we return to this Cosm." ================================= Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 11:34:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 30 Oct 1983 11:05:36 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007896 >On Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:00:51 -0700 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007887 > Eric's tone gets even drier, if possible. "Do you want to live >forever? "Personally I'd kinda hoped to ya know? I've grown ta like doin that? If I didn't I'da thrown myself on a bonfire a long time back. Self destructive dorks usually seems to find a way to make their wish reality and bring lots along for da ride." Joe snaps, still looking around nervously. > "Still, given the mention of flammable atmospheres, I think that >alternate weaponry would be wise. Even my gusari might strike a spark >on the wrong surface." Joe doesn't say anything, just nods in agreement, detatching the drum magazine and sliding the Thompson back into his longcoat. The he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a set of brass knuckles his slips onto his fingers, "OK, I'm ready." ================================= Date: Sat, 30 Oct 1999 11:34:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 30 Oct 1983 11:07:00 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007897 >On 10-30-1999 at 06:45:29 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007892 >"Those only apply Out here on the Surface of the Dyson Sphere, > In the realm between the Crystal Spheres, > Once we get into the Ship via That Hatch," > >She Points > >" That Hazard will be past until we return to this Cosm." "Then I say what the hell is we standing around heres for? Let's get outta here and inta there then." and wiht that Joe starts off in the direction she pointed in. ================================= Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:34:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Mon, 01 Nov 1999 00:59:08 -0800 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007900 >On Sun, 30 Oct 1983 11:05:36 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007896 > >>On Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:00:51 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007887 >> >> Eric's tone gets even drier, if possible. "Do you want to live >>forever? > > "Personally I'd kinda hoped to ya know? I've grown ta like doin >that? If I didn't I'da thrown myself on a bonfire a long time back. >Self destructive dorks usually seems to find a way to make their wish >reality and bring lots along for da ride." Joe snaps, still looking >around nervously. "Take it from" Stranger comments bitterly "it's not all it's cracked up to be." ================================= Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:34:45 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Mon, 01 Nov 1999 01:03:37 -0800 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007901 >On 10-27-1999 at 11:00:46 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007874 > >"I am the Split which will accompany you, > Unless your Safety requires my departure." "Glad to have you along. If you could do a scan of the atmosphere when we go through I'd be grateful." ================================= Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:34:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Mon, 01 Nov 1999 01:05:53 -0800 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007902 >On Sun, 30 Oct 1983 11:07:00 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007897 > > "Then I say what the hell is we standing around heres for? Let's get >outta here and inta there then." and wiht that Joe starts off in the >direction she pointed in. "Hold up Joe, perhaps I should go first. If the portal leads back to a hazardous part of the ship it'd be better if I take the heat." ================================= Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 22:07:41 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Mon, 1 Nov 1999 00:33:49 -0600 (CST) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007904 >On Mon, 01 Nov 1999 00:59:08 -0800 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007900 > >>On Sun, 30 Oct 1983 11:05:36 -0800 >>Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007896 >> >>>On Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:00:51 -0700 >>>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007887 >>> >>> Eric's tone gets even drier, if possible. "Do you want to live >>>forever? >> >> "Personally I'd kinda hoped to ya know? I've grown ta like doin >>that? If I didn't I'da thrown myself on a bonfire a long time back. >>Self destructive dorks usually seems to find a way to make their >>wish reality and bring lots along for da ride." Joe snaps, still >>looking around nervously. > >"Take it from" Stranger comments bitterly "it's not all it's cracked >up to be." Major West eyes the threesome warily. "Before we go any further, anyone with a death wish or who thinks they're immortal can wait back in the castle. I'm not gonna get killed from someone else's foolish mistakes." He pauses and looks around. "And those of you who've got solid proof you're immortal, keep in mind not all of us are before you go doing something you know you'll survive but shouldn't." Don jerks his thumb between himself and Will, "We plan on getting back to Earth while still breathing, so don't go screwing that up for us. Now, if the philosophy club's done meeting, we have a scouting mission to attend to. And keep your voices down in case they've got listening devices in there or can hear through the portal." Will grins, remebering how things were last time he ran into this bunch. Apparently they haven't changed. -- Don and Will (Who're less comfortable with lengthy debates during missions than the author. :)) ================================= Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 05:12:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Mon, 1 Nov 1999 00:21:07 -0800 (PST) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007906 >On Mon, 1 Nov 1999 00:33:49 -0600 (CST) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007904 > > Don jerks his thumb between himself and Will, "We plan on >getting back to Earth while still breathing, so don't go screwing >that up for us. Now, if the philosophy club's done meeting, we have a >scouting mission to attend to. And keep your voices down in case >they've got listening devices in there or can hear through the >portal." > Will grins, remebering how things were last time he ran into >this bunch. Apparently they haven't changed. Raver nodded at Major West, caping her wings over her armor. "Understood." She rubbed her gauntleted hands together, staring through the portal absently. [Raver,] Mandy sighed. [I'm wearing the Force Field belt PHOENIX gave me, and I know when to duck. Now, *relax*.] She patted the belt, fastened on over a dark gray skinsuit that had black tribal designs winding from her neck down the sides to the ankle. [I'm even armed,] she added, a sweep of the hand including the various weapons she carried. The tiny woman nodded at Major West. "Done." Lizard [1] Skinsuit taken from Niven ================================= Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 21:03:50 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Tue, 1 Nov 1983 21:54:30 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007908 >On Mon, 01 Nov 1999 01:05:53 -0800 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007902 > >"Hold up Joe, perhaps I should go first. If the portal leads back to >a hazardous part of the ship it'd be better if I take the heat." Joe sighs and slows up, waiting for Stranger, "Now hows come I'm not surprised it leads to a hazardous part of dis ship thingie. You wanna lead the way, go ahead. You sound likes you gotta half a clue at least where we're goin. Just lets get outta here. a fire_fight_ I can take but just plain fire sends da bageebies up my spine ya know?" ================================= Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 14:47:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Tue, 02 Nov 1999 22:10:50 -0800 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007911 >On Mon, 1 Nov 1999 00:33:49 -0600 (CST) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007904 > > Major West eyes the threesome warily. "Before we go any further, >anyone with a death wish or who thinks they're immortal can wait back >in the castle. I'm not gonna get killed from someone else's foolish >mistakes." He pauses and looks around. "And those of you who've got >solid proof you're immortal, keep in mind not all of us are before >you go doing something you know you'll survive but shouldn't." Stranger looks mildly annoyed and opens his mouth. Then he shuts it again. > Don jerks his thumb between himself and Will, "We plan on >getting back to Earth while still breathing, so don't go screwing >that up for us. Now, if the philosophy club's done meeting, we have a >scouting mission to attend to. And keep your voices down in case >they've got listening devices in there or can hear through the >portal." > Will grins, remebering how things were last time he ran into >this bunch. Apparently they haven't changed. [Worst case of testosterone poisoning I've ever seen. Damn it, I don't like this. Half this group look like they're ready to blow the sneck out of anything that moves and there are too many of us for recon. I got a real bad feeling about this. Wish Kitty were here.] He says nothing however. >On Tue, 1 Nov 1983 21:54:30 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007908 > >>On Mon, 01 Nov 1999 01:05:53 -0800 >>Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007902 >> >>"Hold up Joe, perhaps I should go first. If the portal leads back to >>a hazardous part of the ship it'd be better if I take the heat." > > Joe sighs and slows up, waiting for Stranger, "Now hows come I'm not >surprised it leads to a hazardous part of dis ship thingie. You wanna >lead the way, go ahead. You sound likes you gotta half a clue at >least where we're goin. Just lets get outta here. a fire_fight_ I can >take but just plain fire sends da bageebies up my spine ya know?" "I'm not saying it does go anywhere dangerous, but it might." With that Stranger goes through, moving silently which is quite a feat for someone carrying the ironmongery he's got. ================================= Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 21:50:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Tue, 02 Nov 1999 20:45:02 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007914 >On Sun, 30 Oct 1983 11:05:36 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007896 > >>On Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:00:51 -0700 >>The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007887 >> >> Eric's tone gets even drier, if possible. "Do you want to live >>forever? > > "Personally I'd kinda hoped to ya know? I've grown ta like doin >that? If I didn't I'da thrown myself on a bonfire a long time back. >Self destructive dorks usually seems to find a way to make their wish >reality and bring lots along for da ride." Joe snaps, still looking >around nervously. Eric sighs and rolls his eyes, almost-smiling again. If he keeps this up, someone just might be able to trick him into an honest-to-goodness _real_ smile. But he refrains from further comment. >On Mon, 1 Nov 1999 00:33:49 -0600 (CST) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007904 > > Major West eyes the threesome warily. "Before we go any further, >anyone with a death wish or who thinks they're immortal can wait back >in the castle. I'm not gonna get killed from someone else's foolish >mistakes." He pauses and looks around. "And those of you who've got >solid proof you're immortal, keep in mind not all of us are before >you go doing something you know you'll survive but shouldn't." Eric gives Major West a flat look, mostly hidden by his sunglasses, apparently deciding whether or not to be insulted. He seems to choose not to be, nodding in approval at West's addendum. > Don jerks his thumb between himself and Will, "We plan on >getting back to Earth while still breathing, so don't go screwing >that up for us. Now, if the philosophy club's done meeting, we have a >scouting mission to attend to. And keep your voices down in case >they've got listening devices in there or can hear through the >portal." "I have been keeping my voice down," Eric replies, "and keeping other people alive is why I'm along. Sir. Hard to do that if I get myself killed." /Weren't you making some kind of noises about this bunch having a sense of humor, Ki-Rio?/ Eric sends, his mental voice measurably drier than the physical one. He seems to be getting the hang of the mini-lens. /Or is mine just as rusty as I thought?/ /Well, I haven't noticed you doing much puntificating,/ Rio quips. /And a lot of them _do_ have a sense of humor. But Maj. West is newer to the Army of Light than _we_ are, and there are so many other new faces...I'm not sure how much it's going to change the group dynamic, or how much./ Eric shrugs mentally. /Figures. I guess I'll stick to killing things and leave the _real_ horrors to the rest of you./ The almost-smile leaks across the link. ================================= Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 04:06:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Wed, 3 Nov 1999 03:49:39 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007917 >On Tue, 02 Nov 1999 20:45:02 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007914 > > "I have been keeping my voice down," Eric replies, "and keeping >other people alive is why I'm along. Sir. Hard to do that if I get >myself killed." West looked about to retort something when Will put a hand on his shoulder. Leaning in, William whispered in Don's ear, "Take it easy. Despite the name, this bunch isn't an army, more like a ... well, didja ever read _Lord of the Rings_?" Don shook his head 'no', so Will simplified the description, "It's like they've got wizards, knights, scouts, minstrels and others. And they're all good at different things, sometimes they overlap, sometimes not. They travel around together looking for adventure and to do good deeds, but don't have a real leader, more a couple of people they listen to and defer to as experts depending on what's going on." Don was at least quick on the uptake. He whispered, "So, I'm probably not only out of my depth as far as what I'm up against, but my military training isn't really suited here is what you're telling me." Will grinned, "Well, think of it as needing someone to check their course rather than steer the ship. Just set a destination and let them do their jobs as they see them." Don looked dubious, but shrugged. "Not the style of command I'm familiar with, but I'll give it a shot." Don spoke up finally, just enough so his voice would carry to the others, "Okay, here's.... what I was thinking. We go in and secure an area to base from. Those able to scout take whatever directions are available and go off by pairs, or threes at most. We'll fan out and physically search around the ship to get a feel for the place and to serve as advance warning while our mappers do their thing back in the 'base room'. I figure safety in numbers is a good idea, but we're not gonna be very sneaky in a big gathering." "Now, I'll go..." the Major starts, then looks at Will before continuing obviously in a direction he hadn't intended when he started, "...and volunteer to stay in the base room in case we need to coordinate and to hold our way out clear in case we don't get very far before we're found out. If you all like this idea, you can group off as you see fit since you know each other better than I do." Will grinned, leaning forward and whispering, "Not bad for a first try." ================================= Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 11:03:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 3 Nov 1983 11:43:12 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007919 >On Wed, 3 Nov 1999 03:49:39 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007917 > "Now, I'll go..." the Major starts, then looks at Will before >continuing obviously in a direction he hadn't intended when he >started, "...and volunteer to stay in the base room in case we need >to coordinate and to hold our way out clear in case we don't get very >far before we're found out. If you all like this idea, you can group >off as you see fit since you know each other better than I do." "great great great, yeh whatever. Gimmee a radio and I'll go lookin around find. Just get's get through that freakin door and outta dis place at least. It makes me nervous,a nd when I start gettin nervous for too long, I gets thirsty too ya know what I mean?" grumbles Joe as he follows Stanger through the doorway. ================================= Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 11:46:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On 11-03-1999 at 11:44:45 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007921 >On Sun, 30 Oct 1983 11:07:00 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007897 > > "Then I say what the hell is we standing around heres for? Let's get >outta here and inta there then." and wiht that Joe starts off in the >direction she pointed in. The open Door/Hatch is hanging loose in the Air, A few inches off the surface of the Sphere Playing Ghost as Martin put it... ;) Less than 20 feet from the Party... Entering the Ship the Party finds themselves, in the Room That Stranger Left from... "The Atmosphere is in here is Near Ideal for Human, And Most Human Like Lifeforms, There are no traces of Biological Residue, My opinion is that it is Synthesized, And maintained by life support systems..." Rio, Other than The Stranger, There has been no activity in the area, In the last 3 or 4 million years Decks up and down from here, Will not quite come into focus Nemo, Each Deck is not quite in Phase with any of the others, Not quite in a way that would make them distinct 'Spaces', The Materials of the Walls, Decks, and Overheads, Are more similar to Nemo's Body than normal matter. Roger, If you accepted the Drone concept, You were given a Holster that will receive a new drone, Each time you empty it. The Drones can fly at up to Mach 10... "I have a pair of Communications devices to distribute, The Badge should be attached to clothing, And the Global carried somewhere foe easy access, The Global includes Video Comm Capability, And Tricorder like functions... Star Trek style Comm-Badges, and Earth Final Conflict style Globals, Until these were seen, I liked the Space 1999 Comm-Lock... ;) ================================= Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 22:33:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Wed, 03 Nov 1999 22:10:17 -0800 The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007923 >On Wed, 3 Nov 1999 03:49:39 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007917 > > West looked about to retort something when Will put a hand on >his shoulder. > Leaning in, William whispered in Don's ear, "Take it easy. >Despite the name, this bunch isn't an army, more like a ... well, >didja ever read _Lord of the Rings_?" > Don shook his head 'no', so Will simplified the description, >"It's like they've got wizards, knights, scouts, minstrels and >others. And they're all good at different things, sometimes they >overlap, sometimes not. They travel around together looking for >adventure and to do good deeds, but don't have a real leader, more a >couple of people they listen to and defer to as experts depending on >what's going on." Eric raises an eyebrow. > Don was at least quick on the uptake. He whispered, "So, I'm >probably not only out of my depth as far as what I'm up against, but >my military training isn't really suited here is what you're telling >me." > Will grinned, "Well, think of it as needing someone to check >their course rather than steer the ship. Just set a destination and >let them do their jobs as they see them." Eric groans. [Oh, great. I just managed to blow our chance at a real leader. What was I thinking, anyway, mouthing off to my CO? Dad taught me better than that.] He looks at the lens-link with an aggrieved expression, as if he can blame it for his 'outburst.' > "Now, I'll go..." the Major starts, then looks at Will before >continuing obviously in a direction he hadn't intended when he >started, "...and volunteer to stay in the base room in case we need >to coordinate and to hold our way out clear in case we don't get very >far before we're found out. If you all like this idea, you can group >off as you see fit since you know each other better than I do." > Will grinned, leaning forward and whispering, "Not bad for a >first try." Eric shakes his head, and manages to look like a wolf trying to do 'sheepish.' He also comes about as close to diffidence as he can, which (again) isn't very. 8^) "Sir, if I may?" he asks West quietly. Assuming Major West agrees, he continues. "I've...dealt...with grab-bag groups like this before. Not my preferred modus operandi, sir, but sometimes a target is too big for any one man. They seemed to be accepting your authority, my-" he gets a little closer to sheepish, almost enough to be recognized, "-insubordination aside; if you loosen the reins now, though, it will be just this side of impossible to get a good grip on them later." He pauses briefly. "I think it's a little late to discipline me publicly, after what you just said, but asserting your authority in some way might help." Eric pauses, clearly thinking a decision over. "About my previous...comment. I admit to being somewhat...indifferent...to my own survival. However, I care less about living or dying than performing my duty. At the moment, however, my duty requires me to remain alive. I think you understand that responsibility well. Sir." >On Thu, 3 Nov 1983 11:43:12 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007919 > > "great great great, yeh whatever. Gimmee a radio and I'll go lookin >around find. Just get's get through that freakin door and outta dis >place at least. It makes me nervous,a nd when I start gettin nervous >for too long, I gets thirsty too ya know what I mean?" grumbles Joe >as he follows Stanger through the doorway. The Hunter throws Joe an unreadable look from behind his sunglasses. Clearly, he knows what Joe means. Those experienced with body language can tell that Hunter is directing a certain amount of his attention at Joe as he, too, enters the ship (OOC: unless West takes the proferred opportunity to expend a little testosterone at Eric's expense 8^). ================================= Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 23:04:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Wed, 03 Nov 1999 22:46:48 -0800 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007924 >On Thu, 3 Nov 1983 11:43:12 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007919 > >>On Wed, 3 Nov 1999 03:49:39 -0600 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007917 >> Don spoke up finally, just enough so his voice would carry to >>the others, "Okay, here's.... what I was thinking. We go in and >>secure an area to base from. Those able to scout take whatever >>directions are available and go off by pairs, or threes at most. >>We'll fan out and physically search around the ship to get a feel >>for the place and to serve as advance warning while our mappers do >>their thing back in the 'base room'. I figure safety in numbers is >>a good idea, but we're not gonna be very sneaky in a big gathering." ^I know who _I_ want to pair with,^ Rio sends to Roger, giving him a smile and squeezeing his hand. > "great great great, yeh whatever. Gimmee a radio and I'll go lookin >around find. Just get's get through that freakin door and outta dis >place at least. It makes me nervous,a nd when I start gettin nervous >for too long, I gets thirsty too ya know what I mean?" grumbles Joe >as he follows Stanger through the doorway. With her hand already on Roger's, he's probably the only one who notices her recoil slightly at Joe's comment. >On 11-03-1999 at 11:44:45 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007921 > >The open Door/Hatch is hanging loose in the Air, > A few inches off the surface of the Sphere > Playing Ghost as Martin put it... ;) > Less than 20 feet from the Party... > >Entering the Ship the Party finds themselves, > in the Room That Stranger Left from... OOC: Pretty featureless, IIRC? >"The Atmosphere is in here is Near Ideal for Human, > And Most Human Like Lifeforms, > There are no traces of Biological Residue, > My opinion is that it is Synthesized, > And maintained by life support systems..." > >Rio, Other than The Stranger, > There has been no activity in the area, > In the last 3 or 4 million years > Decks up and down from here, > Will not quite come into focus Rio pushes a button on her Rio <;-)>, and something Pink-Floyd-like can be heard softly playing (OOC: very soft - the comments about not making ourselves too obvious have been noted). She whistles under her breath. "And I thought that _sphere_ felt weird. Not much past is one thing; lots of past with no one in it is something else." She looks around at her comrades. /"Another weirdness - I can't seem to wrap my brain around any of the decks but this one. Any of you have anything?"/ >"I have a pair of Communications devices to distribute, > The Badge should be attached to clothing, > And the Global carried somewhere foe easy access, > The Global includes Video Comm Capability, > And Tricorder like functions... > >Star Trek style Comm-Badges, and > Earth Final Conflict style Globals, > Until these were seen, > I liked the Space 1999 Comm-Lock... ;) Rio accepts hers, attaching the badge to her t-shirt and tucking the Global in a pocket. OOC: Could you give a better description? I've never watched EFC, and Space 1999 was too long ago to remember that kind of details. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 00:03:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 01:07:17 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007926 >On Wed, 03 Nov 1999 22:10:17 -0800 >The Hunter Said As CAoL Message # 00007923 > > Eric shakes his head, and manages to look like a wolf trying to do >'sheepish.' He also comes about as close to diffidence as he can, >which (again) isn't very. 8^) "Sir, if I may?" he asks West quietly. Major West shrugs, at this point he's on alien territory. "Sure, what's up?" > Assuming Major West agrees, he continues. "I've...dealt...with >grab-bag groups like this before. Not my preferred modus operandi, >sir, but sometimes a target is too big for any one man. They seemed >to be accepting your authority, my-" he gets a little closer to >sheepish, almost enough to be recognized, "-insubordination aside; if >you loosen the reins now, though, it will be just this side of >impossible to get a good grip on them later." He pauses briefly. "I >think it's a little late to discipline me publicly, after what you >just said, but asserting your authority in some way might help." Don nods, getting back now on more familiar terrain. "Yeah, I think something can, and should, be done to salvage the pecking order." He glances toward Joe, his eyes hovering there for a moment, then moving around the rest of the group. > Eric pauses, clearly thinking a decision over. "About my >previous...comment. I admit to being somewhat...indifferent...to my >own survival. However, I care less about living or dying than >performing my duty. At the moment, however, my duty requires me to >remain alive. I think you understand that responsibility well. Sir." West looks Eric over, then just offers a faint nod, "I do, but the two are in close running in my personal list of obligations. Anyway, as no one has a better idea this far, I think we'll go with mine." >>On Thu, 3 Nov 1983 11:43:12 -0800 >>Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007919 >> >> "great great great, yeh whatever. Gimmee a radio and I'll go lookin >>around find. Just get's get through that freakin door and outta dis >>place at least. It makes me nervous,a nd when I start gettin nervous >>for too long, I gets thirsty too ya know what I mean?" grumbles Joe >>as he follows Stanger through the doorway. "Well," West says, "As no one has any objections, we'll go with my idea. Forward all complaints to Joe and Baby there." > The Hunter throws Joe an unreadable look from behind his >sunglasses. Clearly, he knows what Joe means. Those experienced with >body language can tell that Hunter is directing a certain amount of >his attention at Joe as he, too, enters the ship (OOC: unless West >takes the proferred opportunity to expend a little testosterone at >Eric's expense 8^). West and William follow behind Eric. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 01:04:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 02:01:02 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007928 >On Wed, 03 Nov 1999 22:46:48 -0800 >Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007924 > >^I know who _I_ want to pair with,^ Rio sends to Roger, giving him a >smile and squeezeing his hand. Major West's gaze pass across Roger and Rio and a faint frown flits over his features. [May have to suggest those two not pair up for their own safety. Seem a bit too intent on each other to be really watching what they're doing.] He looks over at Mandy and Raver. [Same there, though she {Mandy} may not object, I think her friend's {Raver} not gonna like the idea of letting her out of her sight.] >>"The Atmosphere is in here is Near Ideal for Human, >> And Most Human Like Lifeforms, >> There are no traces of Biological Residue, >> My opinion is that it is Synthesized, >> And maintained by life support systems..." Will nods, moving over to the console controls for the portal while Don loks around the room warily, but more generally. "Good to know," the Major says. >Rio pushes a button on her Rio <;-)>, and something Pink-Floyd-like >can be heard softly playing (OOC: very soft - the comments about not >making ourselves too obvious have been noted). She whistles under her >breath. "And I thought that _sphere_ felt weird. Not much past is one >thing; lots of past with no one in it is something else." Don nods, "Can you tell what the last activity in here was? For example, did this section just seem to be being closed down?" >>"I have a pair of Communications devices to distribute, >> The Badge should be attached to clothing, >> And the Global carried somewhere foe easy access, >> The Global includes Video Comm Capability, >> And Tricorder like functions... > >Rio accepts hers, attaching the badge to her t-shirt and tucking the >Global in a pocket. Will and Don do the same with their badges, tapping them experimentally. Will looks at the grey plastic grip handle-shaped object and presses a small button, a tiny 3" by 5" touchscreen slides out from the side. Don, looking over Will's sholder, does the same. Both (presumably) get a help screen. Will's fingers dance across the surface of the screen, quickly running through the instructions. Don's a slower study, he's about a third of the way through when his Global chirps and Will's grinning face is on a video screen in the top left of Don's help screen. Don looks over at Will, then back at the screen. "Showoff," the Major says for the camera. >OOC: Could you give a better description? I've never watched EFC, and >Space 1999 was too long ago to remember that kind of details. OOC: They're like a knife handle, I think, with two flat sides and two curved sides. The left side has little horizontal grooves cut into it like for easier gripping, and the right is smooth. I'm not sure where the button is, but when you press something, the screen slides out of the right side, it's about as thick as a 3.5" floppy disk and it's black plastic. The right of the screen follows the curve of the handle so it blends into the surface when it's collapsed. You do that by just pushing the screen back inside the 'handle'. It's been a while since I watched the show, but I remember really liking its design, too. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 05:34:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 00:07:39 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007931 >On Wed, 03 Nov 1999 22:46:48 -0800 >Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007924 > >OOC: Could you give a better description? I've never watched EFC, and >Space 1999 was too long ago to remember that kind of details. Think of something roughly cylindrical about 6 inches long and an inch or two in "diameter (the cross-section in more elliptical than circular). It's wider in the middle than at the ends. There's an obvious "grip" (ie some depressions that fingers will fit nicely) along the right side of the cylinder, with another on the left. You grab and pull the grips apart and the right one slides out maybe 6 inches, giving you a viewscreen (I assume it rolls up inside, and stiffens when extended). There's a built-in camera and mike somewhere. And probably buttons for dialing and the like. You just push the right "grip" back in to close it. Anyway, it's a truly *neat* looking gizmo. And it looks like a workable design, once you get the tech to make a screen that'll roll up. *Easily* fits pockets, but "opens" to a decent screen size and the camera is good enough to let the picture be zoomed. Try catching an episode or two of the show. You won't understand a lot of it due to backstory you won't have seen. But you should be able to get a lot of it. And they'll be using the globals all over the place. They are the "cell phone" equivalent. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 10:35:12 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 4 Nov 1983 10:56:53 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007934 >On 11-03-1999 at 11:44:45 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007921 >The open Door/Hatch is hanging loose in the Air, > A few inches off the surface of the Sphere > Playing Ghost as Martin put it... ;) > Less than 20 feet from the Party... Joe waits for Stranger to make his move, then fallows a second after him, stepping through the doorway with only a apuse to wipe some red sweat from his brow. >Entering the Ship the Party finds themselves, > in the Room That Stranger Left from... > >"The Atmosphere is in here is Near Ideal for Human, > And Most Human Like Lifeforms, > There are no traces of Biological Residue, > My opinion is that it is Synthesized, > And maintained by life support systems..." Joe chuckles to himself, "Not a problem any way ya look at it for those who don't breathe. As long as the freekin air ain't gonna erupt in a fireball at any moment..." >"I have a pair of Communications devices to distribute, > The Badge should be attached to clothing, > And the Global carried somewhere foe easy access, > The Global includes Video Comm Capability, > And Tricorder like functions... Joe takes one of the badges and clips it to his coat with a shrug. Then he takes the Global. He looks at it a bit, turning it over a couple times, then wraps his fist around it and hits the first into his hand a couple times. With a satisfied nod, he shoves it into his pocket. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 10:35:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 4 Nov 1983 11:05:37 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007935 >On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 01:07:17 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007926 > > "Well," West says, "As no one has any objections, we'll go with >my idea. Forward all complaints to Joe and Baby there." Joe only responds with a very toothy grin before he heads off after Stranger. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 10:35:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 4 Nov 1983 11:14:34 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007936 >On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 02:01:02 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007928 > Will and Don do the same with their badges, tapping them >experimentally. Will looks at the grey plastic grip handle-shaped >object and presses a small button, a tiny 3" by 5" touchscreen slides >out from the side. Don, looking over Will's sholder, does the same. >Both (presumably) get a help screen. Will's fingers dance across the >surface of the screen, quickly running through the instructions. >Don's a slower study, he's about a third of the way through when his >Global chirps and Will's grinning face is on a video screen in the >top left of Don's help screen. Don looks over at Will, then back at >the screen. > "Showoff," the Major says for the camera. Joe watches Will and Don play with their Globals and pulls his out of his pocket again. Holding it like Will did, his fingers feel the small button and push it, bringing out the screen. He looks at it a moment and mutters, "Freaky." before pushing the screen back in and stuffing the Global back in his pocket again. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 17:34:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:02:48 EST SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007938 >In a message dated 11/4/99 2:04:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, >rio writes: > >^I know who _I_ want to pair with,^ Rio sends to Roger, giving him a >smile and squeezeing his hand. Roger does a very good impression of turning to putty...in her hand, natch. (:) Or at least his face does. His body language, to those skilled at reading that kind of thing, still reads out as mid-level combat readiness -- something like DefCon 3 or so... >>Joe the Vampire: >>Just get's get through that freakin door and outta dis place at >>least. It makes me nervous,a nd when I start gettin nervous for too >>long, I gets thirsty too ya know what I mean?" grumbles Joe as he >>follows Stanger through the doorway. > >With her hand already on Roger's, he's probably the only one who >notices her recoil slightly at Joe's comment. His grip tightens a bit, and his thumb strokes across her knuckles in a soothing motion. His face reveals nothing of his thoughts, but he is mentally catalogging what he has on hand for dealing with thirsty vampires... >Rio pushes a button on her Rio <;-)>, and something Pink-Floyd-like >can be heard softly playing (OOC: very soft - the comments about not >making ourselves too obvious have been noted). She whistles under her >breath. "And I thought that _sphere_ felt weird. Not much past is one >thing; lots of past with no one in it is something else." Roger cocks an eyebrow at her, openly impressed. His own Time sense is more future-oriented, and optimized more for navigation than psychometry -- as such, it is tied closely to his probability-control and timesliding abilities. >She looks around at her comrades. /"Another weirdness - I can't seem >to wrap my brain around any of the decks but this one. Any of you >have anything?"/ Roger goes a bit vague, even as he starts to deploy Failsafe's drone (Roger? Turn down a techno-toy? Never! (:)). /Yeeesss....I mean, no, nothing more, really. There's some kind of very thick...something...shrouding the other decks from here. Could be natural, or deliberate, I can't tell. I *think* I could penetrate it, for a moderate distance, but not without using some really high power levels -- high enough to look like an attack. And blow our cover for sure in the process." He glances over at West. "I can try it if or when you feel it necessary, Sir." >OOC: Could you give a better description? I've never watched EFC, and >Space 1999 was too long ago to remember that kind of details. Well, S1999 always had the coolest looking ships...sigh.... The EFC Global is a cute little gadget that really looks like something Motorola might bring out in about 5 years -- it's one of the most "believable-looking" pieces of near-future SF tech I've seen on TV. Imagine a molded bar of grey metal&plastic, slightly longer than your palm is wide, maybe twice as thick as your thumb, and shaped to fit snugly inside your fist. It fits into a Leatherman-style holster on your belt. When in use, you hold it in your left hand and extend a semi-rigid screen out of the right side. There's a small vid pickup located in the main body. A Global can, it seems, perform all the functions of a PDA, video cellphone, Iridium satphone, internet box, NexTel-style local-area commlink, and so on. It also seems capable of most of the things a laptop can do (minus keyboard), and has been used as a hacking tool and cyber lockpick. ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 19:04:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:27:18 -0800 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007940 >Nemisis wrote: > >Entering the Ship the Party finds themselves, > in the Room That Stranger Left from... > >"The Atmosphere is in here is Near Ideal for Human, > And Most Human Like Lifeforms, > There are no traces of Biological Residue, > My opinion is that it is Synthesized, > And maintained by life support systems..." /Can anyone in the War Room pick up my lens transmissions from here? Anyone?/ Stranger looks around, but it all seems in order. When everybody finishes filing in Stranger pointed out the door controls. "I think Major Wests idea about spreading out two by two is sound. Personally I'm planning on checking out door combinations of all ones all twos etc. We definitely need to move in small groups. If your content to maintain a command post here Major, it will give us a base to work from. As far as pairing off goes I think we should try and spread our talents too, so those of us with extra sensory abilities shouldn't go together." He scratches his chin, and ponders for a second. "OK, remember we're looking for the 'Cosmic Engineer' - whatever that is. Supposedly it created this ship, but who knows what it is. My guess is that the bridge or computer core will be the most likely place to find any information, but we could be looking for anything." "OK, who wants to come with me?" ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 19:04:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:35:17 -0800 Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007941 >SkyeFire wrote: > >Roger goes a bit vague, even as he starts to deploy Failsafe's drone >(Roger? Turn down a techno-toy? Never! (:)). /Yeeesss....I mean, no, >nothing more, really. There's some kind of very thick...something... >shrouding the other decks from here. Could be natural, or deliberate, >I can't tell. I *think* I could penetrate it, for a moderate >distance, but not without using some really high power levels -- high >enough to look like an attack. And blow our cover for sure in the >process." He glances over at West. "I can try it if or when you feel >it necessary, Sir." Stranger reached out with his sense of perception, finding the limits of the deck. "There's definitely something odd about it. Maybe another reason the doors are teleporters. Hmmm, it's like a submarine - you know how they compartmentalise them in case soemthing leaks - it's like compartmentalised reality." Stranger looks mildly confused. "No life either, that I can feel." >>OOC: Could you give a better description? I've never watched EFC, >>and Space 1999 was too long ago to remember that kind of details. > >Well, S1999 always had the coolest looking ships...sigh.... ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 21:34:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On 11-04-1999 at 21:32:52 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007942 >On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 20:02:48 EST >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00007938 > >>In a message dated 11/4/99 2:04:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, >>rio writes: Yes pretty featureless, Two Other Doors... >>She looks around at her comrades. /"Another weirdness - I can't seem >>to wrap my brain around any of the decks but this one. Any of you >>have anything?"/ > >Roger goes a bit vague, even as he starts to deploy Failsafe's drone >(Roger? Turn down a techno-toy? Never! (:)). /Yeeesss....I mean, no, >nothing more, really. There's some kind of very thick...something... >shrouding the other decks from here. Could be natural, or deliberate, >I can't tell. I *think* I could penetrate it, for a moderate >distance, but not without using some really high power levels -- high >enough to look like an attack. And blow our cover for sure in the >process." He glances over at West. "I can try it if or when you feel >it necessary, Sir." ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 21:34:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On 11-04-1999 at 21:32:52 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007943 >On Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:27:18 -0800 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007940 > >>Nemisis wrote: >> >>Entering the Ship the Party finds themselves, >> in the Room That Stranger Left from... >> >>"The Atmosphere is in here is Near Ideal for Human, >> And Most Human Like Lifeforms, >> There are no traces of Biological Residue, >> My opinion is that it is Synthesized, >> And maintained by life support systems..." > >/Can anyone in the War Room pick up my lens transmissions from here? >Anyone?/ >"I think Major Wests idea about spreading out two by two is sound. >Personally I'm planning on checking out door combinations of all ones >all twos etc. We definitely need to move in small groups. If your >content to maintain a command post here Major, it will give us a base >to work from. As far as pairing off goes I think we should try and >spread our talents too, so those of us with extra sensory abilities >shouldn't go together." "Major West, If that is the Plan, I will see to the placement of CIC type Equipment, Able to monitor the Nanites, and Keep track of the Comm's units." ================================= Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 21:34:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On 11-04-1999 at 21:32:53 Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007944 >On Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:35:17 -0800 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007941 > >Stranger reached out with his sense of perception, finding the limits >of the deck. > >"There's definitely something odd about it. Maybe another reason the >doors are teleporters. Hmmm, it's like a submarine - you know how >they compartmentalise them in case soemthing leaks - it's like >compartmentalised reality." Stranger looks mildly confused. >"No life either, that I can feel." > > ================================= Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 06:34:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 5 Nov 1999 05:26:14 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007947 >On 11-04-1999 at 21:32:52 >Nemisis Said As CAoL Message # 00007943 > >>On Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:27:18 -0800 >>Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007940 >> >>/Can anyone in the War Room pick up my lens transmissions from here? >>Anyone?/ > > /This is Nemo subtask Aleph-17-Delta. Contact registered and recorder activated. Do you require more than recorder and relay services?/ ================================= Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 06:34:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: A few details I forgot about... On Fri, 5 Nov 1999 04:40:09 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007948 >On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 17:34:55 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As GR.CAoL Message # 00003126 > If I didn't say so, Don does take Nemo up on Doctor Smith being >given a few examinable toys to occupy himself with. Ok, feel free to correct anything in the way I handle Smith in this. Nemo approached Dr. Smith. "I understand you've had some experience with alien artifacts and strange technologies in your travels." "Why yes, indeed. I have learned quite a bit, my boy." "Good, we;ve got a number of items that no one ever got around to inventorying, much less cataloging. If you'd step this way I could show you what I mean...." Nemo leads Dr. Smith thru a series of passages into a *large* room, full of all sorts of strange objects. Think of the warehouse at the end of "Raider of the Lost Ark", only this isn't organized. Things are in untidy piles, most aren't crated up. Some seem to have hastily scribbled notes attached. It's a mish mash of gems, jewelry, weapons, artifacts, and gear that looks like it belongs in a mad scientist's lab (or a museum). Ali Baba would go into shock over the treasures. Dr. Zarkov over the alien artifacts and devices. There's a row of robots near the entrance, and what are obviously disassembled shelves, boxes and crates. Beyond them are a workbenches with lab gear and computer terminals. "All of this was picked up incidently, dumped here and more or less forgotten. As I said, we don't even have a list of items, much less what they are or what they may be for. If you are agreeable, I'll put you in charge of this crew of robots and you can oversee the inventory and start on cataloging and investigating the items that aren't merely ordinary valuables." Smith is speechless for a moment at the thought of being given free reign over *this*. But only for a moment. "Certainly, certainly. Have no fear, Smith is here!" He turning towards the robots. "Get moving you metallic nincompoops! We've got work to do!" Nemo smiles. "Do let me know if you find anything useful for the various tasks we've got going in the Planning room." Nemo's summary to the rest of the CAoL, posted privately: If Smith bothers to check with the robots or the computers, he'll find that no one will care if he takes plain old precious metals, "ordinary" gems, or "common" coins (ie anything not of historical, artistic, or scientific value). Ditto for making copies of records of any new technology he finds among the equipment. Knowing Smith, he won't bother to check. And in actuality, there's nothing in there that we'd *really* miss much. But since the object is to keep Smith out of *real* trouble, we need to keep him thinking he's putting one over on us. So he'll have to actually be at least a *little* sneakyto avoid objections from his robot assistants. But they'll still follow orders. Besides, even for him, this is *far* too much stuff. He actually *will* have to inventory and sort it, and then determine what various artifacts might be (and what they are worth) and what the various gizmos are for. Unless Mike objects, I'd say we should all toss in a favorite item or three and describe Dr. Smith finding them, and (if needed) figuring them out. It'll give us something to do for comic relief anythime the story bogs down. :-) ================================= Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 08:27:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sat, 5 Nov 1983 09:00:02 -0800 Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007949 >On Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:27:18 -0800 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007940 > >When everybody finishes filing in Stranger pointed out the door >controls. Joe takes a few moments to look the controls over, watching (I presume) how Stranger demonstrates they work closely until he thinks he understands it. >"I think Major Wests idea about spreading out two by two is sound. >Personally I'm planning on checking out door combinations of all ones >all twos etc. We definitely need to move in small groups. If your >content to maintain a command post here Major, it will give us a base >to work from. As far as pairing off goes I think we should try and >spread our talents too, so those of us with extra sensory abilities >shouldn't go together." Joe nods his head, "Yeh I gots some of them. I can hear adn see real good and see like these auras around stuffs. But I can't go knowing everyone who walked around here a dozen years ago or nothin like that. Though I'd kinda rather go with a real sneaky tipe cuz I can hide pretty good too." >"OK, who wants to come with me?" Joe looks thoughtful a moment, "Ok, Anyone here know like everyone else's tricks? Cuz like then they could go matching up the peoples who fit together best and ya wouldn't have to worry about people just looking for places to be alone or ta go hang out rather than doin what they needs ta do." ================================= Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 15:34:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: A few details I forgot about... On Fri, 5 Nov 1999 17:04:27 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00007950 >On Fri, 5 Nov 1999 04:40:09 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00007948 > >>On Thu, 4 Nov 1999 17:34:55 -0600 >>Mike Knight Said As GR.CAoL Message # 00003126 >> >> If I didn't say so, Don does take Nemo up on Doctor Smith being >>given a few examinable toys to occupy himself with. > >Ok, feel free to correct anything in the way I handle Smith in this. Looks fine to me. > >Unless Mike objects, I'd say we should all toss in a favorite item or >three and describe Dr. Smith finding them, and (if needed) figuring >them out. It'll give us something to do for comic relief anythime the >story bogs down. :-) None whatsoever. ================================= Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 18:04:16 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Fri, 5 Nov 1999 20:57:04 EST Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00007951 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007940 > >/Can anyone in the War Room pick up my lens transmissions from here? >Anyone?/ /Yes. If you run into greater difficulty than you can handle, call and I will send help./ Aurora answers. ================================= Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 22:04:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 07 Nov 1999 21:33:32 -0800 Rio Said As CAoL Message # 00007953 >On Sat, 5 Nov 1983 09:00:02 -0800 >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00007949 > >Joe looks thoughtful a moment, "Ok, Anyone here know like everyone >else's tricks? Cuz like then they could go matching up the peoples >who fit together best and ya wouldn't have to worry about people just >looking for places to be alone or ta go hang out rather than doin >what they needs ta do." "Oh, that's just about enough." Rio glares at Joe, then turns the same look on Stranger and Maj. West. "And don't tell me you weren't thinking the same thing." She keeps her voice down, but her tone suggests she be raising it if they weren't on a stealth mission. "Yes, I like to enjoy life." She gives Roger a quick smile. "And I have every intention of going _on_ enjoying life, which I wouldn't do for long if I didn't know when to keep an eye out for potential dangers." On the last two words, she looks straight at Joe again. Eric almost-smiles and studies his cuticles intently. "'Danger sense' is a standard CoE rote, and I cranked mine up to full as soon as I walked out of the Place. Which, by the way, I wouldn't have done if all I wanted to do was watch instead of help." She looks around to see if anyone else has something to say on the matter. Then she smiles. "So, are we going to stand around here, or are we going to go looking for that Engineer?" ================================= Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 22:34:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE6c: Getting Started... On Sun, 7 Nov 1999 22:11:35 -0800 (PST) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00007954 >On Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:27:18 -0800 >Stranger Said As CAoL Message # 00007940 > >>Nemisis wrote: >> >>Entering the Ship the Party finds themselves, >> in the Room That Stranger Left from... >> >>"The Atmosphere is in here is Near Ideal for Human, >> And Most Human Like Lifeforms, >> There are no traces of Biological Residue, >> My opinion is that it is Synthesized, >> And maintained by life support systems..." Raver looked around, and frowned a bit at the absense of anything human in the room. [As far as I can sense, it wasn't built by human hands.] [You think?] Mandy shivered slightly. [Too clinical in here for me to like it.] >"I think Major Wests idea about spreading out two by two is sound. >Personally I'm planning on checking out door combinations of all ones >all twos etc. We definitely need to move in small groups. If your >content to maintain a command post here Major, it will give us a base >to work from. As far as pairing off goes I think we should try and >spread our talents too, so those of us with extra sensory abilities >shouldn't go together." "Sounds good to me," Mandy commented. A brief mindtouch to Raver's confirmed approval. "We'll each go with separate groups -- sort of a backup comm system, if you need." "I can go with someone who has fewer extrasensory abilities than most," Raver offered. =================================