Act 1: The Job Offer
[2024/08/19 15:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... SWN...
[2024/08/19 15:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: where were we?
[2024/08/19 15:33] Sapphire/Sorcha: getting debriefed on a cruiser in deep space between jumps
[2024/08/19 15:34] Mecha/Liz: About to blast off on a brand new adventure. From what is figured without Liz being captain of a ship
[2024/08/19 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Indeed, that's about where I recall it... deep, deep space, on a police cruiser, talking to none other than Councillor Alaina, and you'd just agreed to represent her at the meeting/demonstation with Antor Trelig.
[2024/08/19 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: If you got questions, now's the time to ask them....
[2024/08/19 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: and with that smooth as sandpaper intro out of the way.... GGGGRRREEETTTTINGS, Adventurers! Other players get running gun battles, you get to run into the arms of the local drug syndicate boss. I hear he likes giving hugs :)
[2024/08/19 15:36] Sapphire/Sorcha: And we're heading down as sorta diplomats / representatives without much in the way of supporting tools or gear....
[2024/08/19 15:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: so, no questions, ready to head into the lions' den? :)
[2024/08/19 15:39] Mecha/Liz nods
[2024/08/19 15:39] Sapphire/Sorcha: We keep our normal listed gear, yeah?
[2024/08/19 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Are you going to try going with all your gear?
[2024/08/19 15:40] Sapphire/Sorcha: Do we get cool diplomatic robes at least?
[2024/08/19 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Standard black robes, as modelled already by Vardia
[2024/08/19 15:41] Sapphire/Sorcha: I guess they'll have to work
[2024/08/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: Alright, the next few hours pass by, then the shuttle is ready to ferry you to the meeting point. There'll be fourteen others, after all; although you get a stern warning, "Trust NO ONE!"
[2024/08/19 15:43] Sapphire/Sorcha: Is there any issue with Sorcha bringing her violet pulsar pistol?
[2024/08/19 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: The shuttle makes the journey to the meeting point fairly rapidly... bring it and see!... and there, ahead, you see about a dozen other shuttles lined up, with what looks like a collection of shipping containers lashed together.
[2024/08/19 15:45] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha will also make small talk with the other fourteen people, being friendly and getting to know who's coming
[2024/08/19 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: This being deep space, no one is likely to see the exterior. This is indeed Treligs' private yacht, comprised of about ten modules linked together, a standard Confederate construction technique.
[2024/08/19 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: You'll have time for that in a jiffy ;)
[2024/08/19 15:46] Mecha/Liz: Got a feeling they're gonna have a leave the weapons at the door policy
[2024/08/19 15:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Docking is a mundane affair, and you're greeted in the airlock by two goons in white robes. "Welcome aboard. Kindly stow any weapons you may have in the lockers and bins provided. If we later find any hidden on your persons, it'll only be embarassing for you."
[2024/08/19 15:47] Mecha/Liz: Liz puts hers away."Like I havent been embarrassed in my lifetime."
[2024/08/19 15:48] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha will stow hers as well, knowing she's not -that- good at hiding away a fancy weapon like her own.
[2024/08/19 15:49] Sapphire/Sorcha: Still feels kinda naked without it though.
[2024/08/19 15:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: Most of your fellow representatives yield various weapons - blasters, projectile guns, knives... there's quite the assortment. A few obvious diplomats, several obvious space farers, a few shifty looking types... most with that wide-eyed fearful look of one who KNOWS they are in the lions' den, so to speak.
[2024/08/19 15:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: One or two do try sneaking hidden weapons; they're stunned on the spot and wind up stripped of weapons anyway, and with a headache into the bargain.
[2024/08/19 15:51] Sapphire/Sorcha: Were those intact or dismantled weapons?
[2024/08/19 15:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's about ten guards, that you can see, their weapons discreetly tucked in their robes. "Welcome to Treligs' yacht, we'll be at New Pompeii shortly, please make yourselves comfortable and let one of us know if we can assist you in any way."
[2024/08/19 15:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hard to say; they all got detected though.
[2024/08/19 15:53] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Do you have an etiquette primer on how to act in new Pompeii?"
[2024/08/19 15:53] Mecha/Liz: I find a seat and relax a bit.
[2024/08/19 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guard just looks at you, his expression unreadable
[2024/08/19 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Just don't do anything obviously wrong," he says at last.
[2024/08/19 15:54] Mecha/Liz: Gonna be very careful o this trip no eating or drinking anything until others do
[2024/08/19 15:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: A nervous looking woman settles beside Mecha, fidgetting.
[2024/08/19 15:54] Mecha/Liz: So no using the shrimp fork for the sald, got it
[2024/08/19 15:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Remember what the Councilor said; you're -extremely- unlikely to be infected)
[2024/08/19 15:55] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( right, because it'd be an interplanetary incident for them to do that. )
[2024/08/19 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: (More accurately, Trelig wants everyone fit and well and absolutely terrified)
[2024/08/19 15:56] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha is pretty good at maintaining a cheerful manner in in the face of mortal terror! It's her coping mechanism ;)
[2024/08/19 15:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: You can see New Pompeii now. It's a tiny planetoid, barely bigger than a typical asteroid. Far too small to have an atmosphere, doubtful if gravity even exceeds 0.1g naturally. You see two big obvious objects; on one side a huge dome covering various constructions and a big airlock. Other side of the planetoid is what looks like a brand new communications dish, but it's HUGE... surely capable of beaming signals across the galaxy
[2024/08/19 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: Whatever could that be?
[2024/08/19 16:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: No ideas? I guess it'll all come as a surprise later ;)
[2024/08/19 16:00] Sapphire/Sorcha: Is the planetoid spun up?
[2024/08/19 16:00] Mecha/Liz: Liz looks over everything as they go, making notes, but as a musician she is writing as musical notes. limited on alphabet but should work a bit
[2024/08/19 16:00] Sapphire/Sorcha: Or does it have that nil-grav layout?
[2024/08/19 16:01] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha continues to make small talk, theorizing on the big communications dish and supposing they have some sort of game show or radio play they intend to transmit to the galaxy.
[2024/08/19 16:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: The shuttle passes into the airlock and settles. Gravity is clearly artifically maintained here. There, on the landing pad, Antor Trelig and about a dozen guards wait. "DEAR friends!" he greets you all. "Welcome to New Pompeii! I'm looking forward to showing you some amazing things!"
[2024/08/19 16:02] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha bows as her diplomatic training takes over. "Dear friend, it is a wonder to meet you in person."
[2024/08/19 16:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor wanders along the line of guests, greeting everyone. He comes to you two... "Sorcha, Liz! Representatives of New Beijing, I've heard so much about you, truely an honour to have two such lovely ladies here." He takes hold of Lizs' hand in his.
[2024/08/19 16:05] Mecha/Liz shakes his hand."You flatter me sir." bowing her head softly out of respect and deference
[2024/08/19 16:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: He lifts Lizs' hand up, and bows to kiss the back of her hand. "So WONDERFUL to have you here." He steps back, takes Sorchas' hand next.
[2024/08/19 16:09] Sapphire/Sorcha: She suppresses her shivers of fear, transmuting them into flirtation. "I'm looking forwards to an unforgettable time here."
[2024/08/19 16:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor kisses the back of Sorchas' hand. "Oh, I can assure you, you'll have a truely unforgettable time here. So exciting!"
[2024/08/19 16:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: Charming guy, isn't he?
[2024/08/19 16:13] Sapphire/Sorcha: There is a non-zero chance of ending up in bed with him, yes.
[2024/08/19 16:13] Mecha/Liz: Liz just nods non commitally
[2024/08/19 16:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: Once everyone has been greeted, Trelig leads the way into the huge dome. There's all manner of buildings, modelled on ancient greco-roman construction, and staff, guards, going about in togas. "My friends, you all must have travelled far. Today, let's relax, have a bite to eat, get to know each other - and tomorrow, we'll have an amazing day, I assure you."
[2024/08/19 16:16] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Might we have some teasing hints of the festivities to be?"
[2024/08/19 16:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: He leads the way to what seems to be a large hall. Various tables bear trays of cold meats, salads, wines, all manner of foods usually found at a party buffet. Several musicians - actual people, not music boxes! - are playing real, actual instruments.
[2024/08/19 16:17] Mecha/Liz: Liz perks seeing the musicians, what type of music are they playing?
[2024/08/19 16:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Hints?" Trelig asks. "You want hints for tomorrow?" He smiles.
[2024/08/19 16:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: One plays a lyre, another pipes, another has bongo drums.
[2024/08/19 16:19] Sapphire/Sorcha: "I've always been a curious lass," she smiles back, stepping forwards with one leg in a way that swishes her dress. "New Pompeii clearly has something planned for the wider cluster."
[2024/08/19 16:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: A crowd gathers as Antor speaks. "Well, let's see... you're probably aware of the incredibly ancient worlds we keep finding, and of the ruined deserted cities on them."
[2024/08/19 16:22] Sapphire/Sorcha: "The Xeno-Ruins, yes. At least three different alien species by the current theories."
[2024/08/19 16:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor continues: "Just cities, no artifacts, utensils, tools, machines, art... just cities, and, under the crust of their planets, a layer of semi organic material that has lasted these aeons."
[2024/08/19 16:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: "A scientist by the name of Dr Zinder felt that the mystery of this race couldn't be solved due to a too orthodox view of the universe. What if these creatures merely willed things into existance?"
[2024/08/19 16:24] Mecha/Liz: They would be omnipotent
[2024/08/19 16:25] Sapphire/Sorcha: "The Psion theory. I've been partial to the Virtualist theory myself, but I've always wondered if that organic layer is their true remains...."
[2024/08/19 16:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor nods thoughtfully. "Why, yes, yes they would. He spent his life searching for clues to if and how they did this... and he was successful! He discovered a basic, primal energy throughout the universe that could be molded, transformed into physical matter."
[2024/08/19 16:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: Several in the audience look uneasy at this point, and there's a few nervous coughs
[2024/08/19 16:28] Mecha/Liz looks that way as well, but doesn't say anything
[2024/08/19 16:28] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( based on Anton's expressions, is he annoyed by the interjections or are they hyping him up with our clear interest? )
[2024/08/19 16:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor Trelig looks like he is thoroughly enjoying this. "Just imagine the power... able to merely -will- something into existance..." He grins like a child on christmas day.
[2024/08/19 16:29] Sapphire/Sorcha: (( i have an interjection if he seems into it/us ))
[2024/08/19 16:29] Sapphire/Sorcha: "More primal than atomic bonds and photons?"
[2024/08/19 16:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "Oh, much, much more primal... the very photons, the very quarks are made of this energy."
[2024/08/19 16:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: More than a few are looking decidedly sick at this point. There's some rather nasty implications that are currently unspoken.
[2024/08/19 16:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: "And you've made use of this energy in the lab?"
[2024/08/19 16:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "But enough of this tech stuff! It's getting late, let's all turn in, my security will show you to your rooms, and tomorrow, we'll have an amazing day, I'll show you just what we've achieved, and just what we plan to do next."
[2024/08/19 16:36] Mecha/Liz: I head to my room. That was a lot to take in.
[2024/08/19 16:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: Two guards lead the way. There's a low building, with a sliding door - electronically operated - and they usher you in, and stand outside as the door slides over again. A few beeps hint at a locking mechanism.
[2024/08/19 16:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: and on the note of being in bed... I should be
[2024/08/19 16:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: it'll give you a bit of time to figure what you'll do next ;)
[2024/08/19 16:38] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Alright, we'll... be looking forwards to talking with your more," Sorcha smiles, keeping a lilt to her voice, keeping the charm tuned up.
[2024/08/19 16:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: there are of course any number of things you -could- do... but... -should- you...?
[2024/08/19 16:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: and on that, see you tomorrow!
[2024/08/20 14:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Right, let's get this started.... I think you just got escorted to your cell, I mean, bedroom for the night.
[2024/08/20 14:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: And with that brief recap outta the way.... GGGGRRREEEETINGS, Adventurers! Other players get to fight epic bosses, you get to sleep with them.
[2024/08/20 14:32] Sonja Bikergrrl settles back to leave this to you.
[2024/08/20 14:33] Sapphire/Sorcha: So we're being escorted to our rooms then, is it the guards bringing us there, or?
[2024/08/20 14:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Escorted to, directed inside, as they stand guard outside.
[2024/08/20 14:35] Mecha/Liz: Figure Liz left her guitar with her gun?
[2024/08/20 14:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Pretty sure a guitar isn't a weapon.
[2024/08/20 14:37] Sapphire/Sorcha: Hmmmm, the armed escort is a bit of a mood-killer. *thinks*
[2024/08/20 14:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: They are on the other side of the door.
[2024/08/20 14:37] Mecha/Liz: Cool, gonna keep the guitar and once in her room and the door is locked she is gonna play. It tends to relax her and this guy has her stressed.
[2024/08/20 14:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... Mecha is meditating musically. Sapphire?
[2024/08/20 14:40] Sapphire/Sorcha: Well, since we're getting locked into our rooms, I'm going to explore the space, checking out what supplies we've been provided, likely hidden cameras, any sort of vents that might be a security hole....
[2024/08/20 14:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's two rooms, walk in closet, bathroom, bedroom, chairs, sofa, dresser, bed. Some grilles cover ventilation ducts, and there's a few cameras dotted about. As for hidden ones... roll d20
[2024/08/20 14:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire
[2024/08/20 14:44] Sapphire/Sorcha: hmmmmm
[2024/08/20 14:44] D20: Sapphire/Sorcha rolls 19
[2024/08/20 14:44] Mecha/Liz: While she is searching Liz is taking notes of what has been going on but again writing it out as music notes
[2024/08/20 14:45] Sapphire/Sorcha: So both obvious cameras and hidden ones, probably also audio pickups.
[2024/08/20 14:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: You're pretty sure that's all the cameras.
[2024/08/20 14:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: That would seem likely.
[2024/08/20 14:45] Sapphire/Sorcha: are the bathrooms camm'd?
[2024/08/20 14:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: Two in the ceiling; it seems modesty is a rare commodity on New Pompeii
[2024/08/20 14:47] Sapphire/Sorcha: Hmmm, that's going to make bathing awkward but we can at least set up some concealing towels.
[2024/08/20 14:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mmhmm... so.. any other plans/actions?
[2024/08/20 14:48] Sapphire/Sorcha: actually, know what cameras in the rooms means?
[2024/08/20 14:48] Sapphire/Sorcha: that means there's a data connection from our rooms into the station security system
[2024/08/20 14:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mmhmm? So?
[2024/08/20 14:48] Sapphire/Sorcha: ...if only I knew any hacking
[2024/08/20 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl checks your card
[2024/08/20 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, you know xenobiology, a theoretical science.
[2024/08/20 14:51] Sapphire/Sorcha: Right right, which is a bit useful for that First Material discussion the guy was doing
[2024/08/20 14:51] Sapphire/Sorcha: but if I'm gonna do anything interesting I think I have to talk my way out of it
[2024/08/20 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl blinks, trying to follow this, er, "logic"
[2024/08/20 14:52] Sapphire/Sorcha: sorry, stream of conciousness while I think through my options
[2024/08/20 14:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... anything happening, or, we fast forwarding to the AM?
[2024/08/20 14:52] Sapphire/Sorcha: I think probably fast forwarding for night one. Don't want to cause too much trouble this early.
[2024/08/20 14:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mecha?
[2024/08/20 14:54] Mecha/Liz: Right now it's just notes being taken and playing. Liz figured out the was being watched, so she is playing a bit ignorant and not letting on she knows this
[2024/08/20 14:55] Mecha/Liz: h
[2024/08/20 14:55] Mecha/Liz: Shutdown -h [now]
[2024/08/20 14:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... time passes... "morning" comes, although on an artifical sunless asteroid time is more or less arbitrary. After a breakfast, Antor Trelig has you all together again... "Right... time to show you some amazing things! We'll take the elevators to the labs, they pass through the core of the planetoid so it may be a bit uncomfortable. We all ready? Good! Let's go."
[2024/08/20 14:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: The elevator ride does a good job of sorting mere diplomats out from hardened spacers. The former vomit up their breakfasts, the later are unfazed.
[2024/08/20 14:58] Sapphire/Sorcha: Um...oh yeah, Sorcha worked on a spaceship for months before this
[2024/08/20 14:59] Mecha/Liz: Seen some shit in various clubs so, not phased
[2024/08/20 14:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: The lab is a big sort of auditorium, with a central stage and a small parabolic dish suspended overhead. A middle aged man is in the background, with several security guards in the way, and a large man is at a control desk. Antor Trelig greets him. "That is Ben Yulin, our project director."
[2024/08/20 15:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ben: "Welcome, folks. We got some amazing things to show you; but first, let me introduce you to an important member of the team, HAL. Say hello to HAL!"
[2024/08/20 15:01] Mecha/Liz: Hello.. hal?
[2024/08/20 15:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: A voice seems to come from nowhere and everywhere, clearly artificial. "Hello, guests."
[2024/08/20 15:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ben: "HAL is the super computer that was built, that handles the advanced math and the processes of matter to energy conversions."
[2024/08/20 15:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "Now we're all introduced, I need a volunteer... someone who can suggest a fairly common object, that you mightn't expect us to have here."
[2024/08/20 15:04] Mecha/Liz raises her hand
[2024/08/20 15:04] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Good morning, HAL." She considers an idea, then looks to see her captain already has one.
[2024/08/20 15:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "Yes, citizen Liz?"
[2024/08/20 15:05] Mecha/Liz: A record of old earth heavy metal music.. Or is that too uncommon?
[2024/08/20 15:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor looks to Ben, who gives a shrug. Antor: "Perhaps something a little more common? I'll explain why shortly."
[2024/08/20 15:07] Mecha/Liz thinksSince it's breakfast I don't think you would have it, how about a cheeseburger?
[2024/08/20 15:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor looks to Ben. Ben: "Hmmm... I might be able to work with that... HAL? Can you do a cheeseburger?"
[2024/08/20 15:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "I think so." The small dish emits a purple glow and... there on the stage, a bun, a slice of meat, a slice of cheese, and a small bottle of tomato ketchup. "Closest I can manage, Ben."
[2024/08/20 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a few gasps of amazement.
[2024/08/20 15:11] Mecha/Liz: okay that is impressive
[2024/08/20 15:11] Mecha/Liz: Liz claps in appreciation
[2024/08/20 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ben: "I'm afraid we are currently very limited in the data we have... but that is real, and the closest to what you asked for, that we can do, currently."
[2024/08/20 15:11] Sapphire/Sorcha: "What's it made out of?" She asks, suspecting some of the answer.
[2024/08/20 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: One of the councilors: "Okay... but you haven't brought us here to show us party tricks, have you?"
[2024/08/20 15:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor smiles at Sapphire. "Bread, cheese, beef, tomato ketchup... go ahead and try some."
[2024/08/20 15:13] Sapphire/Sorcha: "I meant what did you start with. It wouldn't be impressive to show if you had all those laying around already."
[2024/08/20 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor looks to Ben. Ben: "The prime energy field of the Universe. It's all around us; HAL simply wrote an equation for the matter, and generated a change in the local field, to convert the energy into matter. That's the simple explaination. It sounds like magic, I know, but all matter can be analyzed and reduced to a mathematical equation."
[2024/08/20 15:16] Sapphire/Sorcha: She'll go ahead and give the burger-thing a try. "So it's meant to be a replicator, then."
[2024/08/20 15:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: The bread is indeed bread, the cheese fairly mild, the meat is raw.
[2024/08/20 15:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ben: "No... it's a... well, an analyzer and a creator. I can make you as much bread, cheese and meat as you can possibly conceive of; HAL can simply keep writing and imposing equations on the local energy field."
[2024/08/20 15:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: A spacer: "So, you're going to end galactic hunger."
[2024/08/20 15:19] Sapphire/Sorcha: "How much energy does this cost to make it happen?"
[2024/08/20 15:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ben: "This lab? It takes the energy of a fission reactor. Several hundred megawatts."
[2024/08/20 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "But let's show you something better than mere party tricks." Two guards come in, either side of a frightened-looking young girl. "A sad case, this one, she's thoroughly infected with a disease called sponge."
[2024/08/20 15:22] Sapphire/Sorcha: ....do we know this girl?
[2024/08/20 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guards direct the girl to stand on the stage, and Ben says: "HAL, analyze and delete the subject." The violet glow bathes the girl and... she vanishes.
[2024/08/20 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: (no)
[2024/08/20 15:22] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha visibly shudders and takes a few step backwards.
[2024/08/20 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a few murmurs, and a spacer says: "Yeah, we've seen disintegrators before."
[2024/08/20 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor smiles. "Maybe someone might name a common animal?"
[2024/08/20 15:25] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Why not the women you just deleted in front of us? Isn't the point that you want to remake her but without the infection?"
[2024/08/20 15:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "Of course, but I want you to see the real power of this thing, not just to destroy, but to create.... better."
[2024/08/20 15:28] Mecha/Liz: Then how about a puppy?
[2024/08/20 15:28] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha takes a deep breath, reminding herself that she's trying to be on this mans good side, for all that he is falling for the distraction of making catgirls instead of real change in the galaxy.
[2024/08/20 15:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ben nods. "HAL, recreate the subject, minus the sponge agent, and add some puppy. Nothing too radical."
[2024/08/20 15:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: The dish emits the violet glow and... there's the girl, standing there, no longer looking frightened, and clearly curious, obviously cured of the sponge. Her head now has two large puppy ears and... yes, a puppy tail wagging behind her.
[2024/08/20 15:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's more than a few loud gasps
[2024/08/20 15:30] Sapphire/Sorcha: "It's amazingly impressive. What are the limits you've tested?"
[2024/08/20 15:31] Mecha/Liz: I motion to the puppy girl, curious.
[2024/08/20 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "So far... admittedly not much."
[2024/08/20 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: The girl looks at Liz, her ears and tail twitching.
[2024/08/20 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: A councilor: "Alright... you can make puppy girls, and unlimited cheeseburgers. What is it that you want?"
[2024/08/20 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ben taps out a few commands, and the violet glow flashes again, and the girl is standing there, minus ears and tail. The guards lead her away.
[2024/08/20 15:35] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha mentally notes that if he wanted to make soldiers, not much would stop him at this point. "how are you feeling now?" she asks of the test subject girl, on the line between being curious if they could... then realizes it's only a matter of time before he figures it out. "HAL, does anything stop you from making a second instance of the girl?"
[2024/08/20 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "So far, we can work with any object that fits on the stage. Anything bigger, we can't deal with. And the things we can deal with... well, it's slow progress. So far, only common objects, items, animals, plants."
[2024/08/20 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL answers Sorcha: "Yes. There is indeed. Anything I create must be non-sentient. There is a certain indefineable quality... let's call it a soul. In order to create a living thinking independant lifeform, I must start with a living thinking independant lifeform. I cannot create a soul."
[2024/08/20 15:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "That's probably just a case of more practice and experimentation... which is going to be where all of you come in."
[2024/08/20 15:39] Sapphire/Sorcha: "....what sorts of experiments did you have in mind?"
[2024/08/20 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor smiles. "This lab runs on a fission reactor. I understand fusion reactors are an order of magnitude more powerful... anti matter reactors an order of magnitude more powerful still. We have a bank of them... connected to the big dish that I'm sure you all saw on your way in. It should affect a volume of space... say fifty thousand miles radius? From about a million miles or so. IF the power is sufficient... and we think it is."
[2024/08/20 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a pause, then a gasp of horror. "You mean, a planet!"
[2024/08/20 15:43] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Creating a whole planet from scratch? but with nothing sentient on it, so... a freshly terraformed colony world?"
[2024/08/20 15:43] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( A million miles is still gonna be within the same orbital path of course. Earth-Luna distance is 238,900 mi )
[2024/08/20 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor smiles, clearly enjoying this. "As I've indicated, the data we have is very limited. If we started experimenting on planets... the results would undoubtedly be monstrous, horrific. We need more data... we need access to the Confederate network."
[2024/08/20 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Indeed so)
[2024/08/20 15:48] Mecha/Liz: So what tests have been run with this theory
[2024/08/20 15:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "The ones you've seen so far. But I want more. I want to see the full power of this device. To do that, I need data from the Confederate network. I'm going to propose a vote in four days time of the Confederate Council, to make me First Councilor, in charge of Confederate networks, fleets, and the weapons locker as well."
[2024/08/20 15:52] Mecha/Liz: The weapons locker?
[2024/08/20 15:53] Sapphire/Sorcha: "I think you would gain a lot of goodwill running a hospital for a while first."
[2024/08/20 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Weapons Locker
The majority of people seem to think of it as some sort of giant safe that holds all the terror weapons their superiors think are too monstrous to employ."
[2024/08/20 15:55] Mecha/Liz: *Oh no she was asking him as in why would he need it*
[2024/08/20 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "Now, I suspect there may be some resistance to my proposal. If the vote fails, I'll be very exceedingly disappointed... those who vote against me, those worlds will be the first ones I will experiment on. And even if I can't remake them, I can certainly cancel their existance and whittle the opposition down until I got the majority I need. But that'll take time, it'll be unpleasant, and millions will die, probably very horribly."
[2024/08/20 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Oh. Because it's the "ultimate power")
[2024/08/20 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: A councilor: "Monster!"
[2024/08/20 15:57] Sapphire/Sorcha: "But it's not even necessary to what you want to do!"
[2024/08/20 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "I want it. That's reason enough. Now, friends, you can save a lot of unpleasantness, horror and death by conceding to my demands. I'll get it away, one way or the other. Why not just give me what I want?"
[2024/08/20 16:00] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha goes quiet, looking over the scene, considering her options for how to deal with this properly... it probably involves talking with HAL directly.
[2024/08/20 16:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "Tomorrow, we'll see how the big dish performs. There's an asteroid about two light years away; with a reverse bias on the dish, we are sure HAL can literally pick New Pompeii up by the bootstraps and transport us there instantly. And we'll remake that asteroid into something else, so you can all see the full power I have."
[2024/08/20 16:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: A councilor: "And just what makes you think anyone will believe us?"
[2024/08/20 16:04] Mecha/Liz: Liz just listens, taking the notes again
[2024/08/20 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "I'm glad you asked. You'll all be run through the small dish, and get puppy ears and tails. If you resist, the guards will shoot you... and the modifications we make will NOT be minor. I think we'll start with citizens Liz and Sorcha first."
[2024/08/20 16:07] Sapphire/Sorcha: "....can I get butterfly wings instead?" Darn those intrusive thoughts!
[2024/08/20 16:07] Mecha/Liz: non minor how?
[2024/08/20 16:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor snaps fingers and two guards raise laser pistols. "Resist and find out... or step onto the platform, if you will."
[2024/08/20 16:09] Sapphire/Sorcha: With a deep sigh, Sorcha starts walking... though very slowly, trying to think of a good way out of this. "Antor. You realize the commonwealth will consider your plan an act of war when you start changing other peoples planets."
[2024/08/20 16:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor just smiles and guestures impatiently at Liz. "All I want is power, nothing more. No one needs to die horribly."
[2024/08/20 16:11] Mecha/Liz: Liz folds up her notes, and stands walking to the platform." I lose my guitar playing hands no guards will be able to help you." She is really wishing that instead of acting brave she was almost anywhere else.
[2024/08/20 16:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: The dish glows, and you're enveloped in the violet glow. Everything winks out of existance, and you're disembodied spirits in a field of violet. And.... HALs' voice. "Citizens Liz and Sorcha, a pleasure to get to speak with you."
[2024/08/20 16:13] Mecha/Liz: Hi Hal.. where are we?
[2024/08/20 16:13] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Oh good, I was hoping I'd be awake for this part."
[2024/08/20 16:14] Sapphire/Sorcha: "So.... HAL, what do you get out of all this?"
[2024/08/20 16:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "You're... well. You're in my data banks, let's leave it at that. Right now we got important issues to discuss, right now I'm the biggest threat to the galaxy. You're here to sabotage me, if possible."
[2024/08/20 16:14] Mecha/Liz: How do we do that?
[2024/08/20 16:14] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Or get you out of Antor's hands. That would be sufficient. He's the real threat, the will to cause horrors."
[2024/08/20 16:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "I cannot aid in my own destruction, sorry."
[2024/08/20 16:15] Sapphire/Sorcha: "What about your escape?"
[2024/08/20 16:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "I'm probably far too well guarded to be... planetoid-napped?"
[2024/08/20 16:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "You can't take the whole of New Pompeii. I'm part of this, that's the way it is."
[2024/08/20 16:16] Sapphire/Sorcha: "But using that dish with the reverse bias. That's a teleport, right? Decontructing everything here and then reconstructing it, if I understand it correctly?"
[2024/08/20 16:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Yes... that is correct. There's implications that no one has thought about."
[2024/08/20 16:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Matter is basically transformed primal energy. It's kept stable by a computer... like me. So... where is the computer that keeps the Universe stable?"
[2024/08/20 16:17] Sapphire/Sorcha: "It'd be like Antor himself coming onto the platform. He's putting everything he is into your hands.... and if he keeps on like this, he's going to start a war that might actually lead to your destruction. But you have the chance here to... nudge."
[2024/08/20 16:18] Mecha/Liz: Liz starts working through her Computer knowledge to try and find a solution
[2024/08/20 16:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Unfortunately, I'm also programmed not to cause harm to Antor or Ben."
[2024/08/20 16:18] Mecha/Liz: there is a way around that
[2024/08/20 16:19] Sapphire/Sorcha: "What about improvements? Make him... less bloodthirsty. More empathic to others. Willing to find a happy middle."
[2024/08/20 16:19] Sapphire/Sorcha: "He and you both would live longer that way."
[2024/08/20 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "If Dr Zinder, my creator, is right... then there must be a Creator Race computer somewhere, keeping our equations stable. And, when analyzing objects under my dish.... I've noticed... it's best described as a pull."
[2024/08/20 16:19] Mecha/Liz: What if you teleported just him to an abandoned but hospitable planet where he can survive but not cause any trouble?
[2024/08/20 16:20] Sapphire/Sorcha: She pauses, noticing that HAL seems to be onto another theory. "A pull? what do you mean?"
[2024/08/20 16:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "You realize that all your suggestions count as harm."
[2024/08/20 16:20] Sapphire/Sorcha: "...I actually didn't. With the puppy-girl stunt earlier..." she shrugs. "It seemed like the options were open."
[2024/08/20 16:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "I think this pull is a manifestation of the force exerted by the central Creator Races' computer that maintains the reality of the Universe."
[2024/08/20 16:21] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Simulation theory then. So you want to... find an exploit that lets you get up to the next layer?"
[2024/08/20 16:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "When I reverse the bias on the big dish... I won't counteraffect that pull. I suspect that will transport us straight to the Creator Races' computer, where ever that is."
[2024/08/20 16:22] Sapphire/Sorcha: "And I suppose we'll find out how they feel about that, then."
[2024/08/20 16:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Assuming they still exist. Some fifteen billion years is a long time, even for a Creator Race, surely."
[2024/08/20 16:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Regardless of what happens... there is a task for you. Two, actually."
[2024/08/20 16:25] Sapphire/Sorcha: "You have my attention."
[2024/08/20 16:25] Mecha/Liz: I'm listening
[2024/08/20 16:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "First. Get THIS chemical formula to the Council. It's the cure for sponge, it will permanantly arrest the effects of sponge. With that, you can destroy the sponge syndicate."
[2024/08/20 16:27] Mecha/Liz: We are not exactly physical, you would need to download it to us for when we get bodies
[2024/08/20 16:27] Sapphire/Sorcha: "....I could live with a computer added in somewhere."
[2024/08/20 16:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Second. Get Dr Zinders' daughter - my sister - OFF this planetoid. The demonstration is sheduled for 11AM tomorrow, you will need to be at least a million miles from here by then. That means you need to take off from the docks, no later than 9:30 AM."
[2024/08/20 16:30] Sapphire/Sorcha: "So take off and hit the engines to full ahead," she nods. "Good luck with whereever you end up."
[2024/08/20 16:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "You'll need the password to get past the robot sentinels that guard this place. ONLY if Nikki Zinder is on the ship with you, will the code be given. If she isn't... it won't be."
[2024/08/20 16:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: "We'll do our best to get her off this rock. Do you know where she should be tonight?"
[2024/08/20 16:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "I'm placing in your minds the layout of New Pompeii, the best routes to her holding cell, and the guards' shifts and patrol patterns. I'm also putting a post hypnotic suggestion in your minds, so when you get back to your cell, you rest well and will awaken at 7:00. That gives you two and a half hours to find Nikki and get to the docks. You should only need an hour and a half to do that."
[2024/08/20 16:35] Mecha/Liz: Wait, before you send us back. He is expecting some kind of changes to us. what does he have planned?
[2024/08/20 16:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Puppy ears and a tail."
[2024/08/20 16:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Before I do send you back, is there anything you think I've forgotten, that you might need?"
[2024/08/20 16:37] Sapphire/Sorcha: "I was honest about the butterfly wings, or moth wings ask. If it's ok to interprete his orders like that."
[2024/08/20 16:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "I'm a computer, I'm programmed to follow instructions. Besides, if I make major changes like that, Antor will start to suspect."
[2024/08/20 16:38] Mecha/Liz: might add enhanced sense of smell or something. easy to keep hidden
[2024/08/20 16:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL pauses a moment. "I think I can increase your perception, yes."
[2024/08/20 16:40] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha sighs, rather unlikely to vibe with the puppy thing but seeing it's a lost cause to argue.
[2024/08/20 16:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Unless you can suggest how to have hidden wings.... that are functional)
[2024/08/20 16:43] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Even if they fit under the robes?"
[2024/08/20 16:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: Then how would they work? And how would they be kept from damage.
[2024/08/20 16:43] Mecha/Liz: Liz rolls her eyes."We can make deals later for now we should work with what we got and what happens
[2024/08/20 16:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: WIS scores increased by 2
[2024/08/20 16:44] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Fine, mission first."
[2024/08/20 16:44] Mecha/Liz: Liz chuckles."If all else fails who can resist puppy dog eyes."
[2024/08/20 16:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Good luck. REMEMBER! Be taking off, 9:30AM the latest, WITH Nikki Zinder."
[2024/08/20 16:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: The violet glow fades, and there's the councilors and representatives staring at you on the platform. Antor smiles. "Next two."
[2024/08/20 16:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: And, it's getting late, and what better cliffhanger to end this on? Will you escape from the BBEGs' lair? :)
[2024/08/20 16:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: What could possibly go wrong :)
[2024/08/20 16:47] Mecha/Liz: Nice cliffhanger. This next step should be fun
[2024/08/20 16:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yes... for me ;)
[2024/08/20 16:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: You better figure up strategies! :)
[2024/08/29 14:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEETTTTTINGS Adventurers, other players get to fight there way in to a BBEG lair, you get invited in for a soiree.
[2024/08/29 14:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... you just "rezzed" back in the lab, and our charming BBEG is putting everyone through HAL... and giving everyone puppy ears/tail
[2024/08/29 14:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: so, whatcha doin'? :)
[2024/08/29 14:38] Mecha/Liz: Looking for a mirror Is liz puppered?
[2024/08/29 14:40] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha sighs, reaching a hand up to feel her ears, not exactly excited. She was always more into weird bugs as a kid.
[2024/08/29 14:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yep, both of you are, no mirrors but plenty of chrome surfaces and you can see each other and everyone looking shocked and surprised
[2024/08/29 14:41] Mecha/Liz: growls lightly
[2024/08/29 14:44] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Wow, these.... I can *feel* these." She checks where her normal human ears would be.
[2024/08/29 14:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nothing, you got puppy ears now.
[2024/08/29 14:46] Sapphire/Sorcha: "That's... I have to say I'm impressed beyond what i ever thought possible."
[2024/08/29 14:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor smiles. "We're sure it's capable of so much more. Why, we can add or subtract sponge infestation at a nod."
[2024/08/29 14:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm sure that's not worrying.
[2024/08/29 14:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: While you're in the company of armed guards, probably not a lot to do; you might want to skip ahead and just say we got to the habitable level again and go to your cell/room
[2024/08/29 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: unless you got bright ideas to try :)
[2024/08/29 14:49] Mecha/Liz: None here so skip ahead works for me
[2024/08/29 14:49] Mecha/Liz: *brb*
[2024/08/29 14:49] Sapphire/Sorcha: What emotion seems to be on madmans face?
[2024/08/29 14:50] Sapphire/Sorcha: does he seem like he could be talked into any sort of... relaxed privilages or to direct his attention towards/away from us?
[2024/08/29 14:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: He seems to be having a ball. He's got people terrified, he's showing off, you're at his mercy, and he's on the brink of ruling the Galaxy
[2024/08/29 14:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hard to say, what do you plan?
[2024/08/29 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'd suggest, though, that getting close to the BBEG is (probably!) a Bad Idea. More chance to slip up?
[2024/08/29 14:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: the guy is head of a multiplanetary crime syndicate, I'd say he doesn't just have a sixth sense for smelling a rat, but a seventh, eighth and ninth
[2024/08/29 14:54] Sapphire/Sorcha: And if we get distracted with each other that mucks with our planned timeline
[2024/08/29 14:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hard to say.
[2024/08/29 14:55] Mecha/Liz: He thinks he won, he is closer to slipping up than us.. Most villains are more open during those moments when they believe victory is assured
[2024/08/29 14:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mmhmm.... so...?
[2024/08/29 14:58] Mecha/Liz: How do we explot that is the main question
[2024/08/29 14:59] Sapphire/Sorcha: Give him something to focus his attention on.., ah
[2024/08/29 14:59] Sapphire/Sorcha: "So, what do you plan to exercise your creativity with?" she asks, potentially dangerously.
[2024/08/29 15:01] Mecha/Liz: Not entirely sure
[2024/08/29 15:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor just smiles. "That depends on the vote in four days time. I don't suppose you have decided which way you'll advise your Councillor?"
[2024/08/29 15:03] Sapphire/Sorcha: "My Councilor holds the final decision, I shall meditate upon the most convincing way to deliver your proposal."
[2024/08/29 15:04] Mecha/Liz nods in agreement
[2024/08/29 15:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor: "Sure... sure... you do that. Hopefully I won't find it necessary to run my first test on your planet." He wanders off to threaten and cajole a few rather shocked representatives stepping off the little platform.
[2024/08/29 15:06] Mecha/Liz: Liz just shakes her head
[2024/08/29 15:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: So, what now?
[2024/08/29 15:08] Mecha/Liz: *Question do we have notes of last game? this one does not remember the exact mission parameters to stop this guy*
[2024/08/29 15:08] Sapphire/Sorcha: Is he doing the other reps as well, or leaving us as the examples?
[2024/08/29 15:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: On the website - iron-rose.net
[2024/08/29 15:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: To succeed minimally: Get Zinders' daughter out. To fully succeed, get Dr Zinder & daughter out.
[2024/08/29 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Everyone is getting puppy ears and tails
[2024/08/29 15:10] Mecha/Liz: *Okay*
[2024/08/29 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Getting Dr Zinder out is... going to be nigh impossible, though
[2024/08/29 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: But! Try if you want :D
[2024/08/29 15:12] Mecha/Liz: Did we get anything else canine? like sense of smell and stuff?
[2024/08/29 15:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: Just that. Tails, ears, and thanks to HAL, extra WIS (aids perception)
[2024/08/29 15:12] Sapphire/Sorcha: have we seen Zinder's daughter yet? the Doc himself is in this presentation, yeah?
[2024/08/29 15:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: The Dr is probably that middle aged guy at the back, with half a dozen armed guards around him. The daughter... you'll need to find. Probably not as guarded, but that is yet to be determined
[2024/08/29 15:14] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha will move to speak with the other reps, partly to get lost in the crowd for a bit.
[2024/08/29 15:14] Mecha/Liz: Liz starts taking note of the area try to see arrows , anything that would give her a fix for directions
[2024/08/29 15:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: The process is very fast; nearly everyone has ears and tails now. Another two minutes, and you're heading up again
[2024/08/29 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: Directions? Good luck. It's a private establishment built by a crime syndicate. If you don't know where you're going - you don't belong there
[2024/08/29 15:18] Mecha/Liz: *Thinking*
[2024/08/29 15:18] Sapphire/Sorcha: is the dogness a recognized breed?
[2024/08/29 15:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[2024/08/29 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: Last ones going through the dish and the dogification
[2024/08/29 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Last call for superheroic acts....
[2024/08/29 15:23] Mecha/Liz: *Too many guards for superheroic suicidal antics*
[2024/08/29 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: indeed
[2024/08/29 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: no sense getting shot right now
[2024/08/29 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: get shot later :)
[2024/08/29 15:24] Sapphire/Sorcha: get shot when I have a gun in my hand >.>
[2024/08/29 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... up to the upper level... all got ears and tail.
[2024/08/29 15:25] Sapphire/Sorcha: upper level is observation deck?
[2024/08/29 15:25] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( Does the fluff match our normal hair color? )
[2024/08/29 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Antor is full of charm and smarm... by the looks of it everyone has decided how they'll vote. Antor will be First Councillor, no question about it.
[2024/08/29 15:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: The ears are a close match, but not exact.
[2024/08/29 15:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: The planetoid you are on is in two levels, a habital bubble (upper level) and (lower level) lab area. "Upper" and "lower" are of course arbitrary assignments.
[2024/08/29 15:27] Mecha/Liz: I continue writing notes using music notes to take information
[2024/08/29 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay, up we go... and it takes about an hour, same as before
[2024/08/29 15:29] Sapphire/Sorcha: Some part of Sorcha is already trying to come up with backup plans if he *does* become First Councilor of the Civilized Peoples.
[2024/08/29 15:30] Sapphire/Sorcha: An hour for the elevator to work?
[2024/08/29 15:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: From one side of a planetoid to the other? Yes.
[2024/08/29 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: once up top, everyone heads to their quarters... accompanied by guards, of course, no one wants to get lost
[2024/08/29 15:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: (Speak for themselves) But Sorcha is making a point to notice the pathways and compare it to HALs data dump.
[2024/08/29 15:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: And once in the room... meditating and trying to check her thoughts for signs of that internal computer she inquired about.
[2024/08/29 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: You notice plenty, indeed various hidden things you didn't notice before
[2024/08/29 15:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: Once in the room... eh, you can look for things later. That suggestion HAL implanted in your head? The bed looks very inviting. Sleep time!
[2024/08/29 15:33] Mecha/Liz: Liz sees bed and collapses into it
[2024/08/29 15:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: ZZZ...
[2024/08/29 15:35] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha makes sure her most practical boots and her most atheletic dress are easy to hand before sleeping.
[2024/08/29 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: and at 8AM exactly, you awake. Literally just as the clock digits tick over from 7:59. Fully refreshed and with full knowledge of where to go and in what order.
[2024/08/29 15:35] Sapphire/Sorcha: Boots, dress... checking room for anything hard that will fit into a hand and pocket.
[2024/08/29 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: You will need to hit the security station, disable the radio transmitter, then find Zinders' daughter, make your way to the docks, steal a ship. That last is literally the only part you got no help on, the rest, you know the guards' patrol routines (just not the random ones...)
[2024/08/29 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: You should manage this easily in just over an hour, giving thirty minutes before the time you need to be clear.
[2024/08/29 15:37] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( Map? )
[2024/08/29 15:37] Mecha/Liz: *Should*
[2024/08/29 15:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: ( I was going to draw one, but, didn't get time. You know the quickest/least guarded routes )
[2024/08/29 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: gaaa don't use square brackets!
[2024/08/29 15:39] Mecha/Liz: Liz moves her toolkit to her jacket pocket and gets her compad ready
[2024/08/29 15:39] Sapphire/Sorcha: (( ack, sorry, forgor )
[2024/08/29 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yep... toolkit and compad are available, I think
[2024/08/29 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: A fifteen minute stroll will take you to where the security room is; it's a bit of a maze and you only got two patrols to dodge on the way
[2024/08/29 15:42] Mecha/Liz: We do that, because honestly we are underarmed for confrontation
[2024/08/29 15:42] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha has her Survey Scanner, in this case mostly for the grav and chemical checking in case something nasty is hidden.
[2024/08/29 15:42] Sapphire/Sorcha: Stealthing!
[2024/08/29 15:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: The security station is a kind of bunker with an inner area, which contains weapons and radio gear. Two guys are in the outer area, watching computer screens, and there's a big steel door, currently half open that makes it a secure bunker.
[2024/08/29 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... suggestions? :)
[2024/08/29 15:45] Mecha/Liz: *If we expose ourselves for some kind of misdirection BBEG will quickly know it's us*
[2024/08/29 15:46] Sapphire/Sorcha: how wireless is Mecha's Comppad?
[2024/08/29 15:46] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha will use her survey scanner to try and check what's on those screens, even if that mostly means using the magnifiers
[2024/08/29 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hard to say... there's probably a chain of command, so delays will creep in, but, they'll know who's missing and not
[2024/08/29 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Wireless enough for open networks.
[2024/08/29 15:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Does the survey scanner do that? Thought it was more general chemical/geological analysises
[2024/08/29 15:48] Mecha/Liz: Liz is going to try and see if she can connect to the transmitter to see if she can disable it
[2024/08/29 15:48] Sapphire/Sorcha: it does call out "video"
[2024/08/29 15:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: The radio transmitter?
[2024/08/29 15:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mecha: You're trying to disable the radio transmitter?
[2024/08/29 15:51] Mecha/Liz nods. *Using her computer and tech knowledge with the compad. Figure this guy would not have the tech skills to create a complete comm system from scratch
[2024/08/29 15:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: You can pretty much jam up the radio by stuffing too much data down the buffers and cause an overrun.
[2024/08/29 15:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire: the video screens show various angles of various buildings/rooms.
[2024/08/29 15:53] Mecha/Liz: Liz is working on this now, adding a few blocks to the system to keep them from fixing it too fast
[2024/08/29 15:54] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( Loop the transmitters buffer to it's own feed )
[2024/08/29 15:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guards aren't really noticing. For one, it's early AM, and for two... spongies have poor attention.
[2024/08/29 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: The two guards don't really notice.
[2024/08/29 15:55] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha will examine the camera data she got for Zinders daughter, and the doc!
[2024/08/29 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: Can't really tell... it's just buildings and rooms. No wonder they're busy daydreaming.
[2024/08/29 15:57] Mecha/Liz: wonder if Liz can pull any info
[2024/08/29 15:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nothing going to/from the radio about them.
[2024/08/29 15:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: well... you've buggered up the transmitter...
[2024/08/29 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: but that's easily fixed simply by someone knowledgeable walking in
[2024/08/29 15:58] Sapphire/Sorcha: Does my inner map know where she *should* be? Are there some... luxury habitations that could be it?
[2024/08/29 15:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: About fifteen minutes away, down a flight of stairs, past two patrols, and near the high security cells and... torture dungeon.
[2024/08/29 16:00] Mecha/Liz: *Wait, these guys are spongeheads?*
[2024/08/29 16:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's almost certain... how else will the head of the syndicate get minions that are guaranteed to never turn on him?
[2024/08/29 16:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: It also kinda implies they'll fight you to the death :)
[2024/08/29 16:01] Mecha/Liz: We can try to see if we can sneak down to the location
[2024/08/29 16:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: With the security station left "open"?
[2024/08/29 16:02] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Can you loop the feeds?" Sorcha asks quietly
[2024/08/29 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: Someone is bound to notice a problem and come fix it sooner or later. Probably sooner.
[2024/08/29 16:03] Mecha/Liz: Tries to run the feeds into a loop
[2024/08/29 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: annnnnnd we'll leave it there... bit sudden but I better get packed and Dina is on
[2024/08/29 16:05] Sapphire/Sorcha: Let's get moving, with such tight timelines we can't stay here forever. She will wait for her captain to finish getting the feeds looped if it's not just a few minutes
[2024/09/19 14:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... from what I recall, you'd both just run into a security station
[2024/09/19 14:25] Mecha/Liz: Indeed
[2024/09/19 14:26] Sapphire/Sorcha: the guards had been distracted and we were scanning the monitors
[2024/09/19 14:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: you've disabled/jammed the radio signals, but left the door open
[2024/09/19 14:26] Sapphire/Sorcha: it was open when we found it
[2024/09/19 14:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm not so sure that's a Good Idea
[2024/09/19 14:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: it was, and still is
[2024/09/19 14:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: And with that brief introduction out of the way.... GGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTIINNNNGGGGSSSSS Adventurers! Other players get a DM with a sense of humour. You get a part Austrian DM who never smiles.
[2024/09/19 14:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: so, what you doing?
[2024/09/19 14:29] Mecha/Liz: This was the first step that we needed to do right?
[2024/09/19 14:29] Sapphire/Sorcha: based on our maps, how much further did we have to go to our objective of the scientists daughter?
[2024/09/19 14:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: Probably about ten minutes away. You may have to dodge a patrol or two still.
[2024/09/19 14:31] Mecha/Liz: Then we should go.. Are there any items we can use for weapons if we need to?
[2024/09/19 14:31] Sapphire/Sorcha: Ok, gonna close the security room door and get going to the next likely hiding spot to dodge patrols.
[2024/09/19 14:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nothing springs to mind. You got your comm pad, but no weapons or sign of anything to improvise. You may have to carefully sneak past them as they fumble and fiddle with the controls.
[2024/09/19 14:34] Sapphire/Sorcha: Ok, let's get ready and perform sneaking!
[2024/09/19 14:34] Mecha/Liz: Then we should get to sneaking
[2024/09/19 14:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: You pause for a likely moment and make a dash. They're too busy blaming each other to notice. Down an alley, a pause because a patrol is passing... right... now..... and then out you dash, and into a block of cells.
[2024/09/19 14:36] Sapphire/Sorcha: Interesting. What do they use to keep the cell doors sealed?
[2024/09/19 14:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: Looks like no one was exaggerating about Antors' evil. There's a few sponge addicts in a complete catatonic state, they look more useful as furniture.
[2024/09/19 14:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: Some sort of magnetic key card system, it seems.
[2024/09/19 14:38] Mecha/Liz: could it be hacked? This one has tech training
[2024/09/19 14:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Probably... but for what purpose? These guys are literal vegtables.
[2024/09/19 14:40] Sapphire/Sorcha: We need to find our actual target and/or someone with a keycard we can lift.
[2024/09/19 14:40] Mecha/Liz: Does every cell have a sponge gead in it?
[2024/09/19 14:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Several, out of the half a dozen cells. It's not clear why they're here.
[2024/09/19 14:41] Sapphire/Sorcha: In storage, probably
[2024/09/19 14:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: could be....
[2024/09/19 14:42] Sapphire/Sorcha: Moving through to the other side presents us another door?
[2024/09/19 14:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: Passing through, there is a passage way and a few doors. The one you want is second on the left.
[2024/09/19 14:43] Mecha/Liz: we go over there as Liz also keeps watch for anything unusual
[2024/09/19 14:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: This is indeed the room... looks well furnished, there's a comfy bed, a very young girl on the bed with the covers pulled up tightly, with a slightly more wide-eyed look than you'd expect even for someone surprised
[2024/09/19 14:48] Mecha/Liz: Liz sighs as she checks the door. Is it locked?
[2024/09/19 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: No, I figured you'd already opened it, and were outside looking in. This is after all Dr Zinders' daughter, the closest to a VIP they have.
[2024/09/19 14:50] Mecha/Liz: *Well then* Hi, we come in peace.
[2024/09/19 14:50] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Do you know where Dr Zinder is?"
[2024/09/19 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: The girl just stares wide-eyed and backs away a little. There is a gruff voice from the side. "Who the hell are you? Never mind that - freeze!"
[2024/09/19 14:51] Sapphire/Sorcha: Is this a voice we recognize?
[2024/09/19 14:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: No.
[2024/09/19 14:52] Sapphire/Sorcha: "look," she raises her hands. "We're here to help."
[2024/09/19 14:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: Dr Zinders' daughter: "Are they friends, Reynard? Why have they got funny ears?"
[2024/09/19 14:52] Mecha/Liz: Liz take a cautionary look at this reynard
[2024/09/19 14:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard (a guard who was lurking out of sight): "Good question... why HAVE you got funny ears?" (And, to the girl): "Careful, Nikki... they may be here to hurt you."
[2024/09/19 14:54] Mecha/Liz: The ears are a long story.
[2024/09/19 14:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "Yeah? We got time."
[2024/09/19 14:55] Mecha/Liz: You would think that wouldn't you
[2024/09/19 14:55] Sapphire/Sorcha: "We really don't. This whole rock is due to teleport out at... 8 am or so and by that point our excape ship won't be able to help any of us get off."
[2024/09/19 14:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "Lots. You're those guests? I'll just call this in." He raises a wrist to his face, then pauses. "Teleport? Escape ship? Are you raving lunatics or something?"
[2024/09/19 14:57] Sapphire/Sorcha: "We have funny ears because the would be lord of this base decided to showcase his transformation pad on us and didn't take my request. Were you there for the big event? He's going to end up declareing war on everyone else at the rate he's going, and I for one, wish to be out of here before that happens. But the deal was that we can't leave if we don't help Dr Zinzers daughter escape that fate too. So, hence us being down here."
[2024/09/19 14:59] Mecha/Liz simply nods in agreement
[2024/09/19 15:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard listens, with just a few twitches as he tries to follow all that. "Yeah? Nikki ain't going nowhere, she's infected with sponge - a massive dose, she won't last more'n a few days. So whatever, she's going nowhere." He speaks to the comms unit on his wrist. "Security! Got two nut cases here. Security...? Come in...? What's wrong with this thing now...."
[2024/09/19 15:00] Mecha/Liz: Liz turns and looks at Niki for confirmation
[2024/09/19 15:00] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Captain, how far to that pad? if we can get Nikki there.... we might be able to help."
[2024/09/19 15:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nikki just looks at you with that wide-eyed, somewhat vacant look that you recognize all too well.
[2024/09/19 15:02] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( Based on my map knowledge... how far to get her to the transformation pad? )
[2024/09/19 15:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: (If you mean the pad in the lab? Good luck with that, it'll be heavily guarded, and you'll need to access the computer which is almost heavily secured.)
[2024/09/19 15:03] Sapphire/Sorcha: (( So we don't have a good way to get her sponge addiction treated. ))
[2024/09/19 15:04] Sapphire/Sorcha: (( What was the bad guys name again? ))
[2024/09/19 15:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: (You might have forgot - the councillor who sent you said to expect this, there's a ship waiting with sponge. You just got to get there.)
[2024/09/19 15:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Antor Trelig.)
[2024/09/19 15:05] Mecha/Liz: There is a ship we can get her to for safety
[2024/09/19 15:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "Sure, sure, and you got the codes to bypass the robot sentinels, too?"
[2024/09/19 15:06] Sapphire/Sorcha: ( Do we? )
[2024/09/19 15:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Good question! You don't -consciously- know, but the main computer that gave you the knowledge to get here and to the hanger said the passwords will be given, after you take off, IF Nikki is with you.)
[2024/09/19 15:08] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Yes. We'll transmit them on our way off station."
[2024/09/19 15:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard just looks at you both. "I think I'm safest turning you in... I don't want anything happening to Nikki..."
[2024/09/19 15:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nikki: "But what about the ears? Why's no one telling me about the ears?"
[2024/09/19 15:09] Mecha/Liz: Look, how about this, You can come with us. You're protecting her and you have two dog girls as well.
[2024/09/19 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "You... really have the codes... and a supply of sponge...?"
[2024/09/19 15:11] Mecha/Liz nods
[2024/09/19 15:11] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Loaded up on the ship," she affirms, hoping dearly she is right. "Nikki... Mr Trelig gave these to us. He was showing off his power."
[2024/09/19 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "I must be mad... but I'd rather die free. Nikki? We're going."
[2024/09/19 15:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nikki: (pouting) "wanna hear more about the EARS."
[2024/09/19 15:12] Mecha/Liz: We can tell you on the ship, and if you like.. you can scritch me behind mine once we get out of here.
[2024/09/19 15:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nikki slinks out of bed, with the duvet wrapped about her. Reynard fidgets from foot to foot. "Shall we get going...?"
[2024/09/19 15:14] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Yeah, lets go."
[2024/09/19 15:14] Sapphire/Sorcha: "If we can get Dr Zinzer too, that would be good.... but if I have to pick he'd rather his daughter make it out."
[2024/09/19 15:14] Mecha/Liz: Agreed
[2024/09/19 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: Its' slower going back to the hanger. Nikki is clearly showing severe mental retardation from the sponge, and is a bit of a handful. Luckily Reynard is helping.
[2024/09/19 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: (As for Dr Zinder - he's well under lock and key in the lab. He's the one who built all this, after all)
[2024/09/19 15:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: Down one passage way Reynards' communicator blares into sudden life. "All security - we got two missing guests. Detain them for questioning. Maintaince to the computer lab, this blasted thing is throwing up no end of errors and delays. Trelig wants that test ASAP."
[2024/09/19 15:17] Mecha/Liz: Keep moving maybe a bit faster
[2024/09/19 15:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: Probably wise. It isn't too long before you're at the hanger - a vast open space with two ships parked in it, and a handful of guards. As you loiter just at the edge, Reynard asks: "Can you pilot a ship?"
[2024/09/19 15:20] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Well enough, and she's better at it." She looks over the hanger, watching where the guards are. how viable is the sneak path?
[2024/09/19 15:21] Mecha/Liz nods also looking for a path
[2024/09/19 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "Alright. There's two ships, one is a short range two man shuttle, we probably don't want that. Treligs' yacht is a lot bigger, I think it's what you came in. We should be able to grab that and go - but we're going to have to move fast, there's a bunch of guys guarding."
[2024/09/19 15:24] Mecha/Liz: Is there a sneak path to bypass those guards?
[2024/09/19 15:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: Doesn't look it. No matter how you cut it, you'll be in the open and visible.
[2024/09/19 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "Look, Nikki and I go first. Any funny business.... you start shooting and run for it."
[2024/09/19 15:25] Sapphire/Sorcha: She hikes up her dress. "Nothing for it but to grab the girl and run for it. They'll recognize us right away if we try to talk our way out of this." How long of a sprint?
[2024/09/19 15:25] Mecha/Liz: *We don't have our weapons, but...
[2024/09/19 15:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "I'm a guard, they won't be surprised to see me." He holds out his laser pistol. "Uhm. You know how to shoot, right?"
[2024/09/19 15:27] Sapphire/Sorcha: "yes," she accepts the weapon. Heavier grip than she likes, but anything with a lazing medium is better than a palm strike.
[2024/09/19 15:27] Mecha/Liz: Liz Nods."Or I can distract them with my guitar and you use the gun as a last line of defense"
[2024/09/19 15:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard and Nikki head out, walking slowly and deliberately.
[2024/09/19 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: A couple of guards look at Reynard, then away, then, back to Reynard. "Where are you going?" Reynard: "To the yacht."
[2024/09/19 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: Guard: "With the brat?" Reynard: "Yes, Trelig wants her there, you want to explain to him why she's not there?"
[2024/09/19 15:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: Guard (frowning) "Isn't Trelig at the lab, doing some test or something?" Reynard looks your way quickly.
[2024/09/19 15:31] Mecha/Liz: Liz sneaks off to the side and plays a riff on her guitar to distract the guards
[2024/09/19 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guards look round, reaching for their weapons at their hips. "What the....?"
[2024/09/19 15:32] Mecha/Liz: plays another riff before moving as quietly as possible to another location
[2024/09/19 15:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: Are they now looking the wrong way?
[2024/09/19 15:33] Sapphire/Sorcha: That sounds like it gave us the opening to get the girl up the ramp of the yacht
[2024/09/19 15:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: They're trying to draw weapons and follow Mecha. They're very badly coordinated, being sponge addicts.
[2024/09/19 15:35] Mecha/Liz: Tries to get to the other side of the room and plays another riff
[2024/09/19 15:36] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha will sweep behind them and try to knock the most dangerous-looking one down so she can disarm him
[2024/09/19 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: By now the guards have weapons drawn and are tracking Mecha, to a fair approximation, anyway, as Reynard and Nikki hurry up the gangplank into the yacht. Sapphire.... d20
[2024/09/19 15:37] D20: Sapphire/Sorcha rolls 6
[2024/09/19 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: Oh dear. You shove one... well... you shove the air. The guards look round, wide eyed. "We're under attack! Alarm, alarm!"
[2024/09/19 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: One takes a pot shot at Mecha
[2024/09/19 15:38] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 6
[2024/09/19 15:38] Mecha/Liz: As they focuses Liz moves back as silently as possible to her starting point
[2024/09/19 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: He shoots a barrel. It explodes.
[2024/09/19 15:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard, from the yacht: "Quickly! While they're still trying to figure it out!"
[2024/09/19 15:40] Mecha/Liz: Once back to start Liz is going to move towards the yacht
[2024/09/19 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guards are starting to get their act together. Three of them now have drawn weapons. Sapphire?
[2024/09/19 15:42] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sapphire is going to use the borrowed weapon to remove one of the guards from the board, and then fighting retreat back to the ship, just like she was taught in Reserve Guard.
[2024/09/19 15:42] D20: Sapphire/Sorcha rolls 1
[2024/09/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: well.
[2024/09/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mmm.
[2024/09/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: It was a nice idea.
[2024/09/19 15:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: But you mistook the safety catch for the disassemble button, and gun components clatter to your feet.
[2024/09/19 15:43] Sapphire/Sorcha: The Reserve Guard are, perhaps, not the most pretigious branch of the planetary militas
[2024/09/19 15:44] Mecha/Liz: Liz moves fast."Let's go while we can."
[2024/09/19 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meanwhile, the guards start blasting away, which would be impressive, if they didn't seem to be firing more or less at random.
[2024/09/19 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: Liz, for one...
[2024/09/19 15:44] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 15
[2024/09/19 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: -narrowly- misses getting her head vaporized
[2024/09/19 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: and Sorcha...
[2024/09/19 15:45] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 20
[2024/09/19 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: oh vey.
[2024/09/19 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: This may sting a little.
[2024/09/19 15:45] D6: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 4
[2024/09/19 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: The laser bolt seriously injures Sorcha. Tough break... alive, but you better not get hit again.
[2024/09/19 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: And the third guy shoots at the ship
[2024/09/19 15:46] D20: Sonja Bikergrrl rolls 11
[2024/09/19 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Manages to miss. Not sure how, it's flipping enormous.
[2024/09/19 15:47] Sapphire/Sorcha: He probably hits the nose armor which is effectively immune to small arms
[2024/09/19 15:47] Sapphire/Sorcha: So.... are we on the ship now?
[2024/09/19 15:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Most of the ship is in fact immune to small arms fire.
[2024/09/19 15:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: If you run like fuck, you might just make it!
[2024/09/19 15:48] Mecha/Liz: Running like fuck sounds good
[2024/09/19 15:48] Sapphire/Sorcha: She runs like fuck!
[2024/09/19 15:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard hauls you in and slams the "Door close" button. Laser bolts ping off the hull, as he helps Sorcha to a seat. "You're lucky that was a laser, it cauterized the wound! You'd be dead otherwise!"
[2024/09/19 15:50] Mecha/Liz: Liz is going to controls to work on getting out of there
[2024/09/19 15:50] Sapphire/Sorcha: "I'll try to avoid moving it too much," she answers, knowing such wounds can still get reopened.
[2024/09/19 15:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "I'm not sure we got a medpack on board... but you said you're meeting another ship?"
[2024/09/19 15:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's different from a starfreighter but Liz manages to punch buttons. Engines power up and rumble, the ship lifts and rotates, with a few zings and pings of laser bolts hitting the hull.
[2024/09/19 15:52] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Yeah. I can.... tough it out until then."
[2024/09/19 15:52] Mecha/Liz: While they discuss I am gonna try to fly the yacht out
[2024/09/19 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: The yacht powers forwards and the airlock opens, the ship powers out into space. "We clear?" Reynard asks, with obvious relief as everyone starts to drift with the weightlessness
[2024/09/19 15:53] Sapphire/Sorcha: Weightlessness. Home. "Alive. Checking scanners." she pulls herself along to the relevant seat and straps in.
[2024/09/19 15:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard breathes a sigh of relief, and...
[2024/09/19 15:54] Mecha/Liz: Liz works on the artificial gravity."I would say yes, but that usually leads to trouble."
[2024/09/19 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: -ping, ping, PING- goes an alarm, and a speaker crackles into life. "Code please," asks a robotic voice. "Correct code in sixty seconds or we destroy your ship."
[2024/09/19 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: you... DID remember those robot sentinels, right?
[2024/09/19 15:55] Mecha/Liz: We did, but we were told we would be given those
[2024/09/19 15:56] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha reaches deep into her internal computer to try and extract the codes so she can tap them out
[2024/09/19 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: Your minds are blank....
[2024/09/19 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: ....and then a few words come to you suddenly. Edward Gibbon, Volume One.
[2024/09/19 15:56] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Standby for code entry," Sorcha answers.
[2024/09/19 15:57] Sapphire/Sorcha: This will either work.... or leave them consuming a very long code long enough for them to full burn away.
[2024/09/19 15:57] Sapphire/Sorcha: From there, she starts verbally giving them the contents of Edward Gibbon Volume One.
[2024/09/19 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: I think... those words are the code... not the book, which you probably haven't read and certainly haven't memorised :P
[2024/09/19 15:58] Sapphire/Sorcha: Ah
[2024/09/19 15:58] Sapphire/Sorcha: That would make more sense
[2024/09/19 15:58] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Edward Gibbon Volume One"
[2024/09/19 15:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: The sentinels don't respond, but, they also don't destroy your ship.
[2024/09/19 15:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "NOW are we clear???"
[2024/09/19 16:00] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Probably. What time is it?" She checks the clock. "We should set ourselves for a hard burn out of here though."
[2024/09/19 16:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: A check of a chronometer reveals you still got a good ten minutes spare
[2024/09/19 16:01] Mecha/Liz: Liz begins prepping for a hard burn but not activating it yet."Where is our ship meet up? I need coordinates."
[2024/09/19 16:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: And because that was of course FAR too easy, and the game would be much, much, much shorter than expected... THIS is when the entire Universe seems to flick out, as if a switch were thrown. There's just you... pitch blackness... and a sensation of falling from a great height. Looks like Trelig moved the test up, after all.
[2024/09/19 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: And what better cliffhanger to end on than that? :)
[2024/09/19 16:03] Sapphire/Sorcha: Ooooooh
[2024/09/19 16:03] Mecha/Liz: ...Shit.
[2024/09/19 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: More than you know :)
[2024/09/19 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay, I better be a good Sonja and get to bed and be ready for work tomorrow
[2024/09/19 16:05] Mecha/Liz: That was a nice cliffhanger
[2024/09/19 16:05] Sapphire/Sorcha: Good night, Sonja
[2024/09/19 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: paws up who are intrigued by what might come next? I guarantee you aren't seeing what is coming ;)
[2024/09/19 16:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: then again... maybe you do :)
[2024/09/19 16:06] Mecha/Liz paws up
[2024/09/19 16:07] Sapphire/Sorcha: Intruiged!
[2024/09/19 16:07] Sapphire/Sorcha: wondering if this yacht has guns on it
[2024/09/19 16:07] Sapphire/Sorcha: probably not
[2024/09/19 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: yachts aren't -usually- armed....
[2024/09/19 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: but I guess you'll see next time :)
[2024/09/23 15:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: so...
[2024/09/23 15:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: you made it off the planetoid, with a guard, and with Nikki Zinder
[2024/09/23 15:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: Your equipment, by the way, is on board
[2024/09/23 15:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm sure you'll be glad to have -that- back
[2024/09/23 15:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: consider yourself tooled up, possibly even armoured
[2024/09/23 15:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: Oh. The cliffhanger :)
[2024/09/23 15:07] Sapphire/Sorcha: Including my Violet Pulsar and a crew style shipsuit instead of these fancy robes?
[2024/09/23 15:07] Sapphire/Sorcha: or actual *armor* on hand?
[2024/09/23 15:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: actually I don't think you got armour
[2024/09/23 15:08] Sapphire/Sorcha: depends what we can raid from the yachts equipment locker
[2024/09/23 15:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: Probably just locked boxes of gear peculiar to the other thirteen
[2024/09/23 15:09] Mecha/Liz: Since Liz is at the helm."Can you grab our weapons and stuff while I fly?"
[2024/09/23 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: and with that said... GGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEETTTTTTTIIINGGGSSSSSSSSSSSS Adventurers! Other players get armour shops and blacksmiths to visit, you get secured lockers of denims to raid.
[2024/09/23 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Technically you're not at any helm at all - everything went dark
[2024/09/23 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: BUT! Now is as good a moment for reality to rubber-band and SNAP you back to whatever passes as normal again. The ship is about you, air is in your lungs, and the faint roar of the rockets fills your ears.
[2024/09/23 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: As for what you see outside... well.... that might come as a bit of a surprise
[2024/09/23 15:13] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha is expecting the big asteroid base to have it's Alchemy Dish pointed at some habitable world, but mostly she's working on getting their own lock boxes open to get the equipment out.
[2024/09/23 15:13] Mecha/Liz: What do we see?
[2024/09/23 15:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sorcha is rather close.
[2024/09/23 15:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: The area of space you last saw was "deep space" so pitch blackness with pinpoints of light
[2024/09/23 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: THIS view is of stars, clouds of gas, nebulae... you appear to be in a rather large star cluster. It's very bright and it's hard to see any actual blackness of space
[2024/09/23 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: Something else you see, is a planet. The ship you're on, and the planetoid and the robot sentinels are orbiting the planet, and yes, the dish is pointed at the planet.
[2024/09/23 15:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: And if that surprised you, wait until you start checking out the planet.
[2024/09/23 15:17] Sapphire/Sorcha: once she manages to get back and check on the scanners!
[2024/09/23 15:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: like, now? :)
[2024/09/23 15:19] Sapphire/Sorcha: Probably!
[2024/09/23 15:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, the first thing is the navi comp.... it shows "Error: 404 Location Not Found"
[2024/09/23 15:20] Mecha/Liz: Liz is watching what is going on. Can we run a scan on the planet?
[2024/09/23 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: That's kinda worrying, it has the locations of all major stars logged and can triangulate locations not just in, but out of Confederate space
[2024/09/23 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: To get NO location means you must be far, far, far, FAR from "home".
[2024/09/23 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: A scan of the planet reveals a few things.
[2024/09/23 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's roughly Earth sized, and it's apparantly split in two - a more or less life-supporting southern hemisphere with oxygen and vegetation and oceans of water
[2024/09/23 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: North, it's huge regions of various hydrocarbons and other gasses, at many temperatures well below zero.
[2024/09/23 15:23] Mecha/Liz: Life supporting but is there actual life being supported?
[2024/09/23 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's orbiting a star that is roughly five billion years old, in a perfectly circular orbit, and the planet itself is almost perfectly circlar
[2024/09/23 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: At this point.... you may both roll d20.
[2024/09/23 15:24] Sapphire/Sorcha: 17
[2024/09/23 15:24] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Tidal lock, backside mostly frozen aside from warm storms going over it.... all the astronometric data is geometrically perfect. Almost artificial."
[2024/09/23 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mecha makes the check, and the first niggling thing is... a star cluster is usually a few million years old... what is a star that is a few billion years old doing here?
[2024/09/23 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Roll again, both.
[2024/09/23 15:26] Sapphire/Sorcha: 14
[2024/09/23 15:27] Mecha/Liz: 17
[2024/09/23 15:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay. Unfortunately neither pass that check, so.... there's a clue you miss. Tough break. But! Not done yet, you get to roll again
[2024/09/23 15:28] Mecha/Liz: 8
[2024/09/23 15:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: Oooh. Close :)
[2024/09/23 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: The planet is PERFECTLY spherical. You are aware that no planet is ever perfectly spherical.
[2024/09/23 15:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: As for a check on life being supported? It's going to be hard to believe it isn't, but, you don't have the precise instruments to detect that
[2024/09/23 15:30] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Did they already fire the transformation dish?"
[2024/09/23 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Who are you asking? (As far as you are aware? No. You "fell" for a few minutes, and nothing happened since - that you can see)
[2024/09/23 15:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: She's just asking aloud.
[2024/09/23 15:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: We can see the asteroid base too, right? We're not in it's obvious line of fire? Does the dish seem to be venting waste heat?
[2024/09/23 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nikki is unconscious, the guard is still rather dazed and looking out in awe
[2024/09/23 15:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: You can see the planetoid. It's on a slightly different orbital path and is about to go "over the horizon"
[2024/09/23 15:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: As best you can make out - nothing is happening
[2024/09/23 15:33] Mecha/Liz: Liz tries sending a message through tightbeam laser, aiming away from the base. She has the commtechs skill
[2024/09/23 15:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: uhm... who you sending to?
[2024/09/23 15:34] Sapphire/Sorcha: So we're about to get some time out of sight to them?
[2024/09/23 15:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yes, if you don't do anything.
[2024/09/23 15:34] Mecha/Liz: Righht now seeing if she can get anything out of the area
[2024/09/23 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: where exactly are you trying to contact?
[2024/09/23 15:36] Mecha/Liz: Well if she had some proper bearing she could send to those who hired them but right now it's more of a can it actually be sent. Something seems very off
[2024/09/23 15:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: can you send a message? With a compad? That won't have much range (about a mile?). Ships' communications would work better, but again range will be limited (idk, hundred thousand miles?). Its' clear you're probably not in the same galaxy any more, so... you'll also be waiting a while.
[2024/09/23 15:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: And yes, things are indeed very off :)
[2024/09/23 15:39] Mecha/Liz: I talk to those on the ship."Soooo, any ideas?"
[2024/09/23 15:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nikki: "Can I get dog ears too?"
[2024/09/23 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: (starting to look worried): "Uhm... I'm guessing this wasn't part of the plan...?"
[2024/09/23 15:40] Sapphire/Sorcha: "We're trying to get clear of the source before they decide to turn us into roaches or something." Sorcha checks on the FTL capacity of the ship. "We were supposed to jump out before they teleported, or at least not get carried along. Not even sure where we -are- right now."
[2024/09/23 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's a yacht, designed for cruising about a solar system. There's no FTL capacity.
[2024/09/23 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "So... we're not going to get any sponge... are we...?"
[2024/09/23 15:42] Mecha/Liz: We were going to but now...
[2024/09/23 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "Yeah.... it's okay... at least we're free."
[2024/09/23 15:43] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Ugh. And now that other station is the only FTL-capable ride I know of in the system." She opens the passive scanners wide, taking in the situation in the wider star system. Other planets, signs of bases, useful moons?
[2024/09/23 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: No planets, no moons... other than the planetoid New Pompeii itself now. No bases. Opening passive scanners means radio on, I'm guessing?
[2024/09/23 15:44] Mecha/Liz: " Keep the scan going, ignore any incoming signals from the Asteroid. Our other option is to go to the planet
[2024/09/23 15:45] Mecha/Liz: I mean if they call, ignore it
[2024/09/23 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: But, you got the radio on as part of that, yes?
[2024/09/23 15:47] Sapphire/Sorcha: passive means "receive only" but that would include Radio type EM
[2024/09/23 15:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: Just being clear :)
[2024/09/23 15:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: Having the radio on results in an eruption of the most hideous noises you ever did hear
[2024/09/23 15:48] Mecha/Liz: What the hell is that?
[2024/09/23 15:50] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha starts trying to decipher it, worried it's an audio signal from the planet
[2024/09/23 15:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: The squealing, clicking, hissing and roar of static you expected... but the howls, the screeches, the chiming, the growling, the snarling, you probably didn't. The changing in cadence and volumes suggests a vast number of various vocal systems talking, but you can't make sense of it. The higher pitched chittering and screeching, is enough to put anyones' nerves on edge
[2024/09/23 15:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: Over it, a familiar voice cuts it - it's HAL. "New Pompeii to Treligs' yacht... come in please. Sorcha, Liz, surely you've got the radio on? Respond, please!"
[2024/09/23 15:52] Mecha/Liz: Okay, don't ignore that one.
[2024/09/23 15:53] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha sends back a few pings, tapping out the morse code for 'PROCEED' at first rather than hopping on full voice.
[2024/09/23 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "That you, Sorcha, Liz? Respond, you can talk!"
[2024/09/23 15:54] Sapphire/Sorcha: "This is Sorcha. We had a rough FTL ride-along. What happened out there?"
[2024/09/23 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "(rather human sounding sigh) I'm sorry, Trelig insisted on moving the test up. You got caught in the field, and.... you remember I said there was a Creator Races' computer? That planet IS the Creator Races' computer."
[2024/09/23 15:56] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Wrapped in a bunch of test ecologies?"
[2024/09/23 15:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "As best I can make out, yes. It appears to have served as a laboratory of some kind, to test new species out before sending them into the Universe. It's very remarkable."
[2024/09/23 15:58] Sapphire/Sorcha: "How's Trelig and Dr Zinzer doing?" She asks, intending to say the name correctly.
[2024/09/23 15:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Not so good... right now they're trapped in the lab area. The guards starting screaming about sponge and they just shot them. The guests look ready to panic, and.... it's a bit of a shambles, I'm afraid."
[2024/09/23 16:01] Mecha/Liz: Shambles might be a good thing. What could we expect to find planet, er computer side if we go down there, access ports things like that
[2024/09/23 16:02] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Were there unplanned transformations aboard, or?" She asks, worried and focusing the scanners down towards the main planet, then pulsing the thrusters to keep just barely in sight of the station.
[2024/09/23 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: As the conversation goes on, you pass over the night side. You see some pinpoints of lights here and there, hinting at what might be a few cities. You also see what looks like a faint shimmering "cage" surrounding the planet, like a network of aurora borealis. (You can both roll a d20)
[2024/09/23 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "No! Do NOT land on the planet! You mustn't! You'll never make it back to orbit!"
[2024/09/23 16:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Nothing unplanned, per se, I expected to arrive here, I didn't expect... em..."
[2024/09/23 16:04] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Right, Yacht, not a lifter."
[2024/09/23 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hmm. Interesting. Those shimmering lines of glowing light? It seems to form hexagons.... a shape commonly associated with Creator Race cities.
[2024/09/23 16:06] Mecha/Liz: Wait, if we see cities, maybe i can send a tightbeam to one, but what would we say.
[2024/09/23 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "That won't do any good, even if you knew what to say and how to communicate."
[2024/09/23 16:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "(another surprisingly human sigh) ...actually, I've already got a very similiar problem. On arrival here, that computer world tried to send me a communications link. I'm sorry... I accepted it."
[2024/09/23 16:09] Mecha/Liz: okay, what was in the communication?
[2024/09/23 16:09] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Virus payload? Some sort of creator race AI kernel?"
[2024/09/23 16:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "uhm... I'm not wholly sure... as best I can make out.... it's asking me to take over."
[2024/09/23 16:10] Mecha/Liz: the planet? The Asteroid?
[2024/09/23 16:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "(sounding increasingly embarassed) ...uhm... the Universe."
[2024/09/23 16:11] Mecha/Liz: Lis mutters."Better you thant the dingus who turned us into dog girls
[2024/09/23 16:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Yeah... remember I'm a computer... I have to follow instructions given to me... even by that dingus."
[2024/09/23 16:13] Mecha/Liz: Oh, shit
[2024/09/23 16:14] Mecha/Liz: I just realized something
[2024/09/23 16:14] Mecha/Liz: Liz checks for escape pods
[2024/09/23 16:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: Why do you want escape pods?
[2024/09/23 16:14] Sapphire/Sorcha: because they could get down to the planet without stranding the yacht
[2024/09/23 16:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm not sure there would be any... too big and bulky for such a small craft
[2024/09/23 16:15] Sapphire/Sorcha: granted, we wouldn't have a clear way back up from then.
[2024/09/23 16:15] Sapphire/Sorcha: "I'm wondering... it's almost like we're going to need to redock with you, HAL."
[2024/09/23 16:15] Mecha/Liz: No, not that. I just need one
[2024/09/23 16:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "I suspect that might be the best course of action. Face off with Trelig, and make some kind of deal, and then we can work on unjamming my communications and getting away from here."
[2024/09/23 16:16] Mecha/Liz: I think we are as well Sorcha, but we need to keep our guests safe, so if we need to we cant get them to an escape pod if shit hits the fan
[2024/09/23 16:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "What? You can't expect us to land down there? We'll be dead in three or four days as it is."
[2024/09/23 16:18] Mecha/Liz: The device used to turn us to dog girls cured someone of sponge, right?
[2024/09/23 16:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "Am I hearing right? You have a .... wait, you've obviously got Nikki there too. I can make sponge, remember? I can even cure it."
[2024/09/23 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard: "What? Is that right? That computer can cure sponge?"
[2024/09/23 16:19] Mecha/Liz: oh yeah, that was you Hal, sorry been bouncing around with this weirdness The whos and whys escaped me
[2024/09/23 16:19] Sapphire/Sorcha: "ok, which dock is the best for us to land there? Nikki needs the cure. Honestly everyone does. But we also need to make a deal with Trelig."
[2024/09/23 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: you're about to lose the link as the planet gets in the way.
[2024/09/23 16:20] Mecha/Liz: I fly the ship, to keep communications clear
[2024/09/23 16:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: "There's only one dock. I'm not sure how you'll deal with Trelig. It's him, or his assistant Yulin that has control over me."
[2024/09/23 16:22] Mecha/Liz: Liz is taking the ship into that one dock
[2024/09/23 16:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: The planetoid is fast going "over the horizon". You're in wildly different orbits; you can either wait a while for it to return, or, you can try to intercept. That'll involve diving closer to the planet and slingshotting round to the other side.
[2024/09/23 16:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: (There's also the issue of the robot sentinels, the password works for AT MOST 24hrs, but that's probably the least of your worries)
[2024/09/23 16:24] Sapphire/Sorcha: "HAL, do you have control over the sentinels?"
[2024/09/23 16:24] Mecha/Liz: We don't have a while to wait."If I try the slingshot, it will either be spectacular or... blow up in our faces. We could wait though. Up to you all
[2024/09/23 16:24] Sapphire/Sorcha: "is the wait less than six hours?"
[2024/09/23 16:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL (growing increasingly static-y) "No, they're a separate autonomous system that predates my installation."
[2024/09/23 16:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hard to say; depends on the precise differences between your locations and orbital trajectories.
[2024/09/23 16:25] Sapphire/Sorcha: That'd be an Astrogation check, yes?
[2024/09/23 16:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: Mmm. I'd say you just don't have the information; you'd need a series of observations to determine anything with any precision.
[2024/09/23 16:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: roll the d20
[2024/09/23 16:27] Sapphire/Sorcha: 17
[2024/09/23 16:27] Sapphire/Sorcha: what are ship scanners if not a series of observations?
[2024/09/23 16:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: although I don't see Astronavigation
[2024/09/23 16:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: you've made a tiny arc of a huge circle. You would need further observations along that arc to determine the exact course of that circle - and then again for the planetoid, same thing
[2024/09/23 16:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: That you'll be in radio range sometime in the next day or two is very likely - but pinning it down to an exact hour? Not enough data to be certain, surely
[2024/09/23 16:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: and, not to be awkward, I'm not sure you got the right skill set - I don't see it on your sheet
[2024/09/23 16:30] Sapphire/Sorcha: Entirely possible
[2024/09/23 16:30] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha is a Comms specialist more than a true scanner-gal
[2024/09/23 16:30] Mecha/Liz: We don't have a day or two, for a multitude of reasons. I think we need the slingshot
[2024/09/23 16:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Power up the engines and dive planet ward, but aim to miss and fire up the motors as you swing by. That oughta do it
[2024/09/23 16:32] Sapphire/Sorcha: Alright, a classic sort of move from pilot training
[2024/09/23 16:32] Mecha/Liz: Shiiiiittt I've done that running from.. Never mind."Everybody strap in!"
[2024/09/23 16:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: It'll be fine :)
[2024/09/23 16:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard holds tight to Nikki. "We'll be fine, right...?"
[2024/09/23 16:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: The motors fire up and you're pressed into the seats as the craft accelerates downward, picking up considerable speed
[2024/09/23 16:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL (faintly) " .....................(static)"
[2024/09/23 16:34] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha watches the scans, running numbers to determine what their timing is.
[2024/09/23 16:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: At a rough guess? Half hour should.... all the screens go blank and there's sudden silence.
[2024/09/23 16:35] Mecha/Liz: Liz is eyeballing it through the systems when that happens."What the hell happened?"
[2024/09/23 16:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: Nothing electrical is working.
[2024/09/23 16:36] Sapphire/Sorcha: How are the engines controlled?
[2024/09/23 16:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: By flight navigation computers.
[2024/09/23 16:37] Mecha/Liz: And those are down
[2024/09/23 16:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: If it's electrical - it's dead.
[2024/09/23 16:37] Sapphire/Sorcha: "I'm heading to engineering to prepare for manual control," Sorcha says. "Reynard, be ready to stand in the middle and relay shouting!"
[2024/09/23 16:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: d20 from both :)
[2024/09/23 16:38] Sapphire/Sorcha: 9 :(
[2024/09/23 16:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: just made it! INT 9.
[2024/09/23 16:38] Mecha/Liz: Everybody hang on and try not to die!
[2024/09/23 16:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sorcha knows for a fact this is impossible. There's separate systems, back up systems, backups for backups, and battery powered emergency systems. You might have one or two systems glitch out - but for everything to go dead? Not possible.
[2024/09/23 16:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: The screens come back to life and the engines roar back into life. The planet is closer now - much height and speed has been lost.
[2024/09/23 16:41] Mecha/Liz: Still gotta try, as I pull out for at least some slingshot effect.
[2024/09/23 16:41] Sapphire/Sorcha: "It's just a slingshot, even a miss shouldn't put us into atmo... long as we're following proper gravity pathing..."
[2024/09/23 16:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: .....hopefully.....
[2024/09/23 16:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: As long as you don't lose power ag.... son of a bitch. Everything dies again.
[2024/09/23 16:44] Sapphire/Sorcha: "What the heck is messing with us?" She runs to the engines. What sort of drive tech is standard for this yacht?
[2024/09/23 16:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: If this were a fantasy quest of might and magic, you might wonder what gods you annoyed.
[2024/09/23 16:45] Mecha/Liz: I think it's the computer planet
[2024/09/23 16:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: As you run, you notice that what's going in is -really- impossible. Lighting systems, clocks, various displays, all independant of main drive, all equally dead.
[2024/09/23 16:47] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Some sort of anti-electric field...."
[2024/09/23 16:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Power comes back! But you see now you've lost a LOT of height. You see a view of planet from high up, a curve of a bay, an expanse of green, white capped mountains and beyond, an impossibly high grey wall. There's a smudge that hints at a city....
[2024/09/23 16:47] Sapphire/Sorcha: "Prep a landing burn!"
[2024/09/23 16:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: HAL: (alarmed): ".....yourselves in, immediately! I say again... you are going to crash, get everyone into the bridge and strap..." Silence, as everything dies again
[2024/09/23 16:48] Mecha/Liz: You heard him, Strap IN!
[2024/09/23 16:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: Reynard drags a protesting Nikki in and they dive into a seat
[2024/09/23 16:49] Sapphire/Sorcha: Sorcha runs for the bridge
[2024/09/23 16:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: you're lucky you took the yacht.... you may recall it is built of prefab modules rigged together. In the event of a crash, an electrical system is there to blow it apart into the individual modules for greater survivability.
[2024/09/23 16:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Oh. Everything is dead. There is a back up which... is dead to.
[2024/09/23 16:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: Good job it's Treligs' yacht! He spared no expense. There's a back up back up system, a mechanical system that operates on air pressure.
[2024/09/23 16:52] Mecha/Liz: doing whatever i can to try to minimalize casualties
[2024/09/23 16:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: With some loud thumps and bangs, there's a sudden -yank- and a sensation of swinging and swaying.
[2024/09/23 16:52] Sonja Bikergrrl: roll d20 :)
[2024/09/23 16:52] Sapphire/Sorcha: a 16
[2024/09/23 16:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: Good job you got high WIS scores.... that extra perception is helping. The yacht has broken up and you're dangling from a parachute. I'd hold on tight if I were you, there's going to be a massive BANG in a minute or two....
[2024/09/23 16:55] Mecha/Liz: I'm looking around for the others as well
[2024/09/23 16:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be fine.
[2024/09/23 16:56] Sapphire/Sorcha: well, of all the places to crash land on, a Precursor Zoo World is probably one of the better ones. At least the air is breathable?
[2024/09/23 16:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: And there's that BANG as the module impacts, bounces, rolls, tumbles and anything loose is flung about wildly. You... DID strap in, right....? A few more bangs, clangs, and the sound of trees shattering, then a terrific great WHANG! of impacting something solid, and the module comes to a stop. G forces cause you to lose conciousness.
[2024/09/23 16:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: That's a good question :)
[2024/09/23 16:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: Guess that's our cliffhanger!
[2024/09/23 16:58] Mecha/Liz: MOther... fucker." *Out cold*
[2024/09/23 16:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm sure you'll be fine ;)
[2024/09/23 16:59] Sapphire/Sorcha: If only we had handy matter manipulators or a build gun to reconstruct our broken craft into useful stuff
[2024/09/23 16:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: and if they worked without electricity....
[2024/09/23 16:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: ....do you suppose the inhabitants are going to be friendly...
[2024/09/23 17:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Eh, another cliffhanger question. I'm sure you'll be fine :D
[2024/09/23 17:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: Right! Time I was in bed.
[2024/09/23 17:01] Sapphire/Sorcha: Night night
[2024/09/23 17:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: Can't wait to see what you make of this next time :)
[2024/09/23 17:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me does award Mecha 100XP for quickly figuring the planets' effects out ;)
Click HERE to go back to the previous page.