Interstellar Cruise Ship Scorpio - OOC

[Enigma]

The Zodiac Line runs twelve interstellar cruise ships in a big-circle path that visits 21 planets in one year before returning to Earth. The Big Cruise offers incredible opportunities for tourism. The number of government & corporate officials and couriers transporting encrypted data that cannot be transmitted also offers incredible opportunities for interstellar espionage as well.

And some corporations have found it to be an excellent way to make troublesome vice-presidents or former employees vanish for a year.

However, as the ship begins its final preparations to leave orbit over Beaumonde, the first settled human colony, an humanoid alien prisoner with amnesia materializes on board in the ship's laundry. For her crimes against her people, she's been mind-wiped and banished - the first Wanderer they've sent out in generations.

Unfortunately her home world is the mythical planet Zayas, last known resting place for an incredible treasure-hold of technology from hundreds of worlds originally stolen by Dracosian Slavers over a millennium ago. When Zayans overthrew the Dracos Empire, they took the stolen collected knowledge home with them - and just as promptly, hid their world by means unknown.

For most people, believing in the legends of Zayas is like believing in the existence of Atlantis. While some believe it's merely some kind of publicity stunt being pulled by the Zodiac Line, government agents from the independent colony worlds and corporate agents are moving to secure the Zayan Wanderer girl for themselves.

For the Brotherhood of Man, a monastic order that runs hospitals, schools and does good works on the colonies, finding a Zayan Wanderer is like finding the Dali Lama. And despite being a monastic order, a member of the Brotherhood is trained in various martial arts. The tears of a Zayan Wanderer legend says can cure any sickness - which if true would make fortunes for the biotech firm that could pry the secrets from the girl's genetic code.

And to make things worse, a notorious freelance assassin with an unknown employer is already after the girl.


Characters would be passengers aboard the ship.

Please PM me if you're interested in playing a courier (corporate or government), a spy (much the same thing) or a member of the Brotherhood of Man.

______________________________________

Character Sheet:

Player Name:
Character Name:
Deck/Cabin Assignment:
Description: Age, gender, physical description (written). ALIENS WELCOME but should not have excessive abilities that make them a danger to themselves, ship and passengers. If you are unsure, please PM me first.
Profession: (what do you do when you're not taking a cruise)
Bio: Brief history of the character.


______________________________________

Ship's layout:


Deck 1: Forward Observation Lounge, Skylight Park, Nova Cabins, Nova Club, Auxiliary Lifeboats
Deck 2: Gold Star Cabins (Luxury), Silver Star Cabins (Vista) Ship's Senior Officer Cabins, Ship's Bridge (Restricted Access), Aft Lounge
Deck 3: Dining - Constellation Dining (formal), Central Galley, Universal Dining (casual)
Deck 4: Promenade - Night Sky Club (dancing), Zodiac Theater/Conference Center, Taurus Casino, Library, Art Gallery, Grand Buffet, NY Deli, Peking Duck, Little Italy, Universal Dining (casual)
Deck 5 Blue Star Cabins (Standard), Junior Officer Cabins, Forward Observation Lounge, Star's End Bar.
Deck 6: Red start Star Cabins (Economy), Forward Observation Lounge, Gagarin Berths (Capsules), Gagarin Lounge
Deck 7: Recreation - Ship's Mall, Taurus Spa and Fitness, Kid's Club Room, Teen Club Room, Pools & Waterworks, Aft Theme Park
Deck 8: Life Deck - Amidships Reception, Guest Services, Port Services, Sickbay, Security, Lifeboats
Deck 9: Avionics, Crew Quarters - Galley, Entertainment, Fitness & Recreation, Senior Crew Compartments; Primary Engineering, Dark Matter Engine Control Room, Lifeboats
Deck 10: Crew Quarters, Ship's Refeers, Ship Operations Center, Ship's Stores; Engineering second deck, Primary computer core.
Deck 11: Hydroponics, Ship's Services, Laundry, Water Processing, Air Processing; Waste Processing; Engineering third deck
Deck 12: Storage holds, Refrigerated storage, Water Tanks.
Deck 13: Forward Half-Deck: Shuttle Flight Operations, Auxiliary Computer Core.
Deck 14: Auxiliary Avionics, Ship's Hangers, Passenger Shuttles, Pod Rental, .

Bulkheads divide the ship into three sections, forward, midships, and aft. Each section contains a Vertical Service Shaft, consisting of a Passenger Elevator Bank, a concealed crew-only freight elevator, internal crew stairwells, Passenger and Crew Comm panels, crew emergency gear, as well as cables for power, communications and ship's internal systems.


______________________________________

Once I have five accepted characters, I will open the IC.

[Enigma]

Accepted Characters

Nemix K'Aras - Blue Star 527 - Stealth Specialist (X) (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=667801&postcount=9)

Ava Westmore - cabin??? - Human Brotherhood Executor (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=675145&postcount=16)

Llewellyn "Kes" Caesaro - Silver Star 252 - Space Pirate (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=675576&postcount=20)

Daniel Doverton-Hawke - Silver Star 279 - MI-6 (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=690459&postcount=31)

Michael Roa Valdamjong - Cabin ??? - President Rezerbian Food Chain (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=690624&postcount=32)

Harley Black - Blue Star 573 - Philosopher (http://role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=829756&postcount=146)

[Kris]

This looks like a great game. Why not submit it for Roleplay of the Week (http://www.role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=905) or put it in the Roleplaying Games Directory (http://www.role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2304) or click here (http://www.role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3975) to help attract players?

[Enigma]

I added it to the RP directory right after I posted it, but the RP directory says it got posted at 4:39 AM?

http://www.role-player.net/forum/showpost.php?p=661304&postcount=29

[AJR SSC BSC]

I'll sign up, but my time is compromised until after the 23rd, so I will join on or after that date.

[Enigma]

Ok! ^ _ ^

[GraftRaven]

I shall step up to the plate on this one, or so goes the turn of phrase.

[Enigma]

I shall step up to the plate on this one, or so goes the turn of phrase.

Great! Let me know if you want to be a courier or Brotherhood Agent.

[GraftRaven]

Player Name: X

Character Name: Nemix K'Aras

Deck/Cabin Assignment: Deck 5, Blue Star 527

Description: http://img11.mediafire.com/ab030e8fd51239a117c9f38ff6395e7c42a247d7fd70a84e69 be02700dc4e80a6g.jpg

A lanky and thin male 34 years of age (in earth years), though he looks younger because his race lives longer than the average human. He is humanoid in form and has grey fur with a fluffy crimson-tipped tail and the same pattern on his ears, and the tips of his neck-length hair. His eyes are yellow with crimson irises, he has a short muzzle and, slightly yellow, pointed teeth. His claws are similarly sharp, as is his mind. Nemix also bears several large scars under his fur. He normally wears black formal pants with informal sneakers, a vest with a collar that rises almost all the way up his neck, as well as a pair of arm warmers with chains.

Profession: Nemix is an unemployed stealth specialist for an organization that no longer exists.

Bio: As far as anyone on the ship knows Nemix is your run of the mill guy with a ship who is taking a break from single handing his ship across the galaxy. Under the surface he is a recently dismissed stealth specialist for a courier/hit organization that is now defunct. The company that took over his allowed some people to leave with their equipment and ship, minus one warp drive. This left Nemix with one option: go find a new job far away from his organization's old base, which was remote.

He heard about the Zodiac, that it had a hangar and that he could land and buy a ticket. His craft was a one story tall and compact jet black oval with hidden weapon systems, a smuggler's hold and no warp drive, he was allowed to land and passed inspection, then bought a ticket and set about relaxing.

That is where we find him at the start of the story.

[Enigma]

X, could you change your profession to "unemployed stealth specialist"? His employer may be defunct but he's still kicking around with the same skill set.

Your cabin is 527 - deck(5) + room(27).

Accepted, btw! ^ _ ^

[GraftRaven]

Aww, but I like the word defunct...

[Enigma]

Aww, but I like the word defunct...

the firm you worked for is defuncted - you is unemployed. Sorry!

[SandQueen]

I'm curious but I'd like to know more about the technology level we're dealing with. Clearly interstellar travel is commonplace but what else? Is something like this a commonplace affair or is it something more complicated?

[Enigma]

The Zodiac line is the only one that does a year-long circuit of all the human colony worlds. Most just go to 2 or three worlds. And not everyone does the whole circuit, some are just traveling to the next world. But interstellar travel via the dark matter engines is common-place. True hyperdrive ships are alien-owned artifacts left over from the civil war. Unfortunately without a new source of drive crystal, (the world that had the only supply will be accessible again in another thousand years - in heavy radiation gear) you can only build a new ship after salvaging shards of drive crystal from another engine. No human has a hyperdrive ship - and anyone who can buy one from an alien will quickly find it confiscated for government use.

Contragrav lifters allow even bricks to fly. Reactionless thrusters means you don't have to carry fuel like you would for a rocket. Hydrogen gas is scooped from gas giants, refined and used to drive the engines. Some fusion generators run on water - the purer the better.

Most weapons are still slug-throwers, but there are some portable lasers weapons and a bass stunner that can safely put to sleep a room full of people - but you get hit by it, you can't drive or operate heavy machinery for a week after because if you get excited, you'll fall asleep.

Bioplastic is a programmable rod that takes up to ten programmed simple forms. So you could use a pair for hair sticks, chop sticks, tweezers, different fixed-sized wrenches, screwdrivers, awls, lockpicks, hand plate, cup, a hammer, straw, knife, fork and spoon. it's a favorite among travelers and couriers.

Autofacs are miniature programmable factories that are used to make more complex items one at a time. Used aboard ships for making replacement parts so they don't have to carry a huge inventory.

The most common device is the Omni - usually worn like a watch but there are pocket models with more features. It's a cell phone, datanet terminal, personal organizer, portable game console, camera - and it can tell you the time on different worlds. It's also an e-wallet, with transactions requiring your thumb print to authorize. Anything over 1000 credits requires retinal pattern verification. Some worlds also use them as electronic keys to lock and use various devices.

If there's some kind of tech you're not sure about, pm me and I'll tell you if it's allowed or not.

[Alanoth]

sounds cool! if I have time today, I'll make a CS.

[SandQueen]

Name: Ava Westmore

Age: 41

Occupation: Human Brotherhood Executor

Appearance: Tall with a lean, athletic build and short cropped ebony hair. Her skin is well maintained and possessed of a dusky ivory. She wears a black synthetic duster that comes down to mid calf. Beneath that she wears a very basic tank top and utilitarian trousers.

Weapons:
+ Flechette Pistol: This sleek machine pistol loads from its grip and has a simple fold-down foregrip. It fires from polymer blocks inserted into the grip. When the trigger is depressed the internal firing mechanism scrapes away shards from the ammunition block in a manner similar to a cheese grater. The shards are then flung via a kinetic impeller down the smoothbore barrel and towards the target. Upon contact with flesh the shavings imbed and... due to their speed and the rapid dissipation of force caused by the target's flesh... fracture. The shards of plastic can lacerate muscle, vascular systems, and organs. Due to their non-metallic nature and tendency to snap and tumble these projectiles are a nightmare to locate within a target and most bleed to death. The effectiveness of the weapon drops off quickly against armored targets though. Each brick of ammunition can sustain the weapon for fifty semi-automatic three shard bursts or five seconds of automatic fire. When firing the only sound generated is the whine of the kinetic impeller and the high pitched pop of the fragments as they break the sound barrier leaving the muzzle.

+Back-up pistol: Ava also carries her issued pistol, a compact model with a contoured black scandium frame and nitrate frosted slide. It chambered tungsten jacketed .30 caliber slugs and carries six shots per magazine plus a seventh in the chamber. While the weapon does not have the raw power of some other pistols of its type it's accurate, easy to handle, and easy to conceal on her slim frame.

Equipment:

+Subdermal Omni tool: Ava's Omni device is grafted beneath the skin of her skin of her left arm instead of being mounted to a wrist band. This minimizes risk of it being misplaced or compromised.

+Ava carries Four bricks of ammunition for her Flechette pistol and three magazines for her back up gun.

Background:

Ava is a career operative but not as deceptive or backhanded as a spy or other espionage agent. She is an Executor of the Human Brotherhood. As her title suggests it is her purpose to execute whatever orders her superiors deem worthy of her attention. This could range from meeting with informants, watching over high value subjects, or eliminating risky individuals. She relies on sneaking and deception when needed but due to her position and credentials she is generally open about her presence.

Regardless the occasion though, her presence means that someone (or something) has made a severe lapse of judgement. At least in the eyes of the brotherhood.



Image:

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4481/618pxqosr9.jpg

[Enigma]

I'm guessing the Human Brotherhood is a political organization not to be confused with the religious order Brotherhood of Man?

Is there a reason why this enforcer is aboard the ship? As nobody knew the girl was going to appear there, she needs another reason to be there.

[SandQueen]

I'm guessing the Human Brotherhood is a political organization not to be confused with the religious order Brotherhood of Man?

Is there a reason why this enforcer is aboard the ship? As nobody knew the girl was going to appear there, she needs another reason to be there.

I sort of envisioned the Human Brotherhood to be sort of the political/ legal branch of the Brotherhood of Man. Similar name, similar causes although one resorts to policy and contracted agreements in place of zeal and dogma. Sort of a Lawful Evil side to organization.

As for why she's there, well, as far as Ava's concerned she's simply enjoying a cruise. But if her employers were to have arranged for her to be there without her knowledge just so they could assign her an objective that pertains directly to the vessel... well... she's not one to question orders.

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

I want to join, but I don't have any good character ideas. I'll wait until more characters join.

[Sy23]

Player Name: Sy23

Character Name: Llewellyn "Kes" Caesaro

Deck/Cabin Assignment: Deck 2, Silver Star Cabin

Age: 28

Gender: m

Physical Description: Tall, thin, lithe - bordering on elegant, except for a limp after the crash. Hair cut very short. Deep chartreuse eyes. Voice much deeper than such a body would suggest. Single long scar on left leg that is sometimes painful but does not hamper movement. Name of his first starship, "Elysia", tattooed on left shoulder blade.

Profession: Former Sailor (discharged in disgrace), Bounty Hunter and Space Pirate - would prefer not to have his character subject to any kind of close scrutiny by authorities. Now unemployed, but holding plenty of money to kick back and decide what to do next.

Bio: Kes is technically a citizen of the planet Kzae, since his parents' ship was on the way there when he was born, but it never arrived and he has never actually been there!

Racially he's part Welsh, part Italian. Kes was born into a bounty-hunter family, both of his parents following the profession, before it was formally made into a business. They desperately wanted him to be anything but a hunter, and after a childhood of this he got into officer school, and joined the Navy.

He was chosen to pilot a new design of interstellar ship, which crashed. The technology of the time put him back together a lot better than he was, with artificial bones and muscles, from which he derives his abilities. This surgery was the first time it had ever been performed, and the Navy wanted to use him as a kind of “super weapon” – however, disillusioned by their attitude, he became more and more insubordinate. His hatred for anyone in authority over him dates from this time. He was eventually cashiered from the navy after fighting a duel in which he killed a tyrannical captain.

At a loose end, broke, and desperate to finance his addiction to various drugs, he became a Bounty Hunter. Disillusioned with this life, he joined as a freelancer on the pirate ship "Firefly", cashing in on his naval experience.

When "Firefly" was eventually surrounded by Space-naval forces and captured, he escaped and, under an assumed name, made his way to a free port. He signed on as a passenger on the "Scorpio" simply because that's one place the authorities won't look for him - and he has plenty of money to tide him over while he decides what his next move will be.

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n510/Sy23/img47700.jpg



____

[Enigma]

@ SandQueen - accepted.
@ SY23 - accepted.

[GraftRaven]

So... um...

What now?

[Sy23]

Well, obviously we wait for more people to join - With all due respect to the obvious abilities of X and SandQueen, I can't see just the three of us carrying this RP very far.

[GraftRaven]

Aren't there four of us?

(Yes i'm arguing just to keep this at the top XD)

[Sy23]

I don't think our GM has actually put a charrie up yet

[Enigma]

Three is a very small number to work with. I'd like at least two more characters.

I'm running the npcs - the alien stowaway, Shade the undead assassin and everyone else.

[Azazeal849]

Hi Enigma - I rather like the look of this storyline, but the Brotherhood of Man don't particularly grab my interest. Could you elaborate on some of the other in-universe organisations that might have dispatched some sort of agent after hearing about the Zayan?

[Enigma]

You could be a member of the press, on board to take pics and listen to gossip about what some of the more newsworthy individuals are doing.

There's a Human Brotherhood Executor, a wanted space pirate and the assassin Nemix K'Aras on board, definitely people to watch if you're working for the various human governments such as Londinium, New Cahaan and Jiangyin.

Londinium was modeled after some romantic's idea of what England should be. They have royals, lords, the lot. You could be an MI-6 spy. I should warn you, the casino already has six people registered there as "Bond, James Bond".

New Cahaan - a socialist-inspired world where obedience to the State is required, necessary after a very rocky start. As they're before Londinium, they're posed to swoop in to capture the girl. They're notorious for their brain-scanner, to root out any dissidents.

Jiangyin - the markets of Jiangyin where anything can and will be sold. Settled by a mix of settlers, primarily Asians. ON the surface, it looks to be another touristy world, but some of the back street houses offer services and products that appeal to a more criminal element, despite the local government's attempts to clean it up. Shady adoptions, mail-order brides, contraband from twenty worlds - if you look hard enough, you can find it here.

Beylix - initally settled by refugees from the PAX Confederation Civil War, another tourist spot where you can rub elbows with actual aliens from three dozen worlds. Most noted for a very strange statue dedicated to an unidentified human who legend states was on the planet before first contact.

And then there's Earth itself, who refuses to pay any stock to some unknown alien race sitting on a treasure chest of alien tech - publicly. Unfortunately, you're stuck on the ship until it can return to tEarth, some 10 months away. Politically allied with Londinium.

[Azazeal849]

Londinium was modeled after some romantic's idea of what England should be. They have royals, lords, the lot. You could be an MI-6 spy. I should warn you, the casino already has six people registered there as "Bond, James Bond".

That...is so awesome. I think I could have some fun playing a stereotype of my own home country -T-

I'll try and have a character up tomorrow!

[Enigma]

That...is so awesome. I think I could have some fun playing a stereotype of my own home country -T-

I'll try and have a character up tomorrow!

Yay! I can't wait!

[Azazeal849]

Hope this is okay - if anything needs changing just PM me.

Character Name: Daniel Doverton-Hawke (“Dan” or “Danny” to friends)

Deck/Cabin Assignment: Room 279 (Deck 2, Silver Star)

Age: 32 (converted to Earth standard)

Gender: Male

Origins: Human, born in New Yorkshire on planet Londinium. By descent he is probably Canadian or American, as surprisingly few actual Brits emigrated to Londinium.

Description: Daniel is Caucasian, with mild blue eyes, a strong jaw and a straight nose. His hair is short and dark, always combed back and carefully parted along the left side. He stands slightly above average height, and his frame is wiry rather than muscular. He can usually be seen strolling about the Scorpio in some form of dark coloured suit, often combined with a bowler hat and a silver-handled cane.

Personality: Daniel is a classic example of Londinian breeding. He is restrained in manner and seldom visibly fazed, the closest he comes to surprise being an eyebrow raised in polite interest. Like most Londinians (regardless of social class) he speaks with a soft RP accent, and his speech is always impeccably polite. Also like most Londinians, he suffers from moderate to severe caffeine addiction due to high consumption of tea. Underneath it all however is a man of steel.

Profession: Field agent with the Londinium Secret Intelligence Service, better known to the public as MI6. Officially, his job involves helping to prevent and resolve foreign conflicts, and ensuring that Londinium’s social and economic security is maintained.

Equipment: Among his personal effects Daniel carries a briefcase with a false bottom, containing an X-ray-proof compartment holding a miniature autofac and a pistol. His cane is actually a single-shot launcher for small toxic darts, which can be produced by the autofac. He also has a monocle which contains night vision optics, and on the mantelpiece of his cabin is a bass stunner disguised as a cricket ball signed by a famous New Yorkshire cricketer. Also in his room is a scale model of the Royal Navy flagship HMS Hood, which contains a bug detector. The gun ports of the ship also hide tiny audio bugs and tracking devices which can be monitored from Daniel’s Omni. A caddy on his desk contains teabags of genuine Londinian tea, some of which are surreptitiously marked and contain medical elements such as antidotes to various poisons known to be used by New Cahaan and Jiangyin.

Bio: Daniel grew up at Hawke Manor in New Yorkshire - a temperate land of rolling hills in Londinium’s southern hemisphere where “cities” are very spread out affairs, each house having larger than average gardens and interspaced with Old Earth-inspired castles and cathedrals, all held together by an efficient mag-lev network (the trains of which are designed to resemble the steam locomotives of the early 20th century). He graduated from Kingston-upon-Sur university with a second class degree in archaeology, and worked as a historian for two years before a desire for foreign travel and adventure led him to join the Londinium SIS.

The SIS have dispatched him to the Scorpio following the detainment of a notorious pirate ship, the Firefly, by a Royal Navy frigate squadron. At least one member of the pirate crew was known to have escaped the ship, but the trail went cold shortly after. That man was Kes Caesaro, formerly of the Kzae star navy. He was last seen purchasing a ticket for the Zodiac line, but as he was using a false name at the time the SIS do not know which cabin he is staying in. As a potential threat to the Crown, SIS have ordered Daniel to board the Scorpio, locate the escaped pirate and apprehend him before he can jump ship at the next planet. Daniel’s historian background provided his cover story for the mission; as far as the crew or the other passengers know, he is just a young Londinian gentleman on an archaeological road trip of the planets on the Zodiac line.

The appearance of the Zayan Wanderer will no doubt change the nature of his mission dramatically.

As tempting as it was to model him after Sean Connery or Daniel Craig, in the end I went with a slightly less obvious British agent:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6kNXoiHF9i4/TenGnS4E5kI/AAAAAAAAApA/ZntIWzF6Zqo/s1600/2che90-560x420.jpg

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Player Name: VerifyinTr1gIDs

Character Name: Michael Roa Valdamjong

Deck/Cabin Assignment: Room 108 (Deck 1, Nova)

Description: http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20091124141520/typemoon/images/c/c0/Roa_mugshot.png

Age: 72 in Rezerbian years, but 36 in Earth years.

Gender: Male

Physical description: Michael is pale, thin, and muscular. He has long hair that reaches his abs and insanely-sharp nails. He also has fangs. He usually wears an unbuttoned white dress shirt and black jeans. He wears black boots. Unlike the picture, he wears black leather gloves and he should look older.

Species: Rezerbians are an interstellar vampire-like species that can live off of food and water. Blood is a delicacy on that planet and is rarely eaten, usually served in hospitals where blood assist the patients' regenerative powers. They can eat any food, even any blood, even chicken's (known on their planet as roostees) blood. Unlike vampires, Rezerbians are not weak against sunlight. They have a lifespan of 120 Rezerbian years, which is 60 in Earth years.

Personality: Although usually fun and relaxed, when one thing goes wrong, he erupts and becomes unreasonably angry.

Additional Info: Michael can slice things by moving his hand quickly against something, which is why he wears black leather gloves.

Equipment: He has a suitcase of coupons for the fast-food chain he owns. He has another suitcase of clothes exactly the same to what he is currently wearing. He has a cellphone, often making important business calls during the trip.

Profession: He is president of a major fast-food chain on the planet Rezerb.

Bio: Michael was born in a rich family (that affiliated with major companies on the planet Rezerb and owned a major blood-related fast food chain, similar to McDonalds), who drank blood (cow blood, known to them as sissy-bulls) every day. Michael disliked the taste of blood and drank it whenever he was sick. His family never used their fangs, since using fangs is unpolite, especially when there are guests. After his parents died, 10 rezerbian years ago, he inherited the company and the wealth that his family had. Since then Michael had been traveling and taking cruises twice a year.

[Enigma]

Hope this is okay - if anything needs changing just PM me.

Character Name: Daniel Doverton-Hawke (“Dan” or “Danny” to friends)

Deck/Cabin Assignment: Room 279 (Deck 2, Silver Star)
That's all fine! Accepted!


Player Name: VerifyinTr1gIDs

Character Name: Michael Roa Valdamjong

Deck/Cabin Assignment:



Approved!

Nova cabins are on the top deck, in the aft section - expensive but luxurious. Nova cabins number only 100 to 116. cabin 116 is reserved.

Or if you're feeling that's a little much, there is Gold Star and Silver Star cabins on the next deck down.
Gold series are 200 to 209, 242 to 251. Silver series are 210 to 241, 252 to 283.

[Enigma]

Five players! yay!

The IC is up! You can be returning from a tour of the planet or somewhere else on board. Passengers are supposed to stay away from the crew-serviced areas - not that they all do, but everyone should not stray any lower than the Life Deck normally unless they're going down to the hanger deck.

http://role-player.net/forum/showthread.php?p=690838#post690838

Still accepting characters!

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Excellent.

[Azazeal849]

I take it all the PCs are boarding at Beaumonde?

EDIT - Sorry, ignore that question, I cannae read...


You can be returning from a tour of the planet or somewhere else on board.

[Azazeal849]

Oops, double post.

Sorry guys, writing out tonight's episode of A Wash Of Black took longer than I expected! Don't worry though, I have an opening IC post all laid out in my head and I just need to type it out. Should have it up some time tomorrow.

Sy23, I will be seeing you ;)

[Enigma]

The idea is that most of you boarded at Earth, but if someone wants to be boarding from Beaumonde, that's fine!

[Sy23]

Azazeal849, man I stand in awe of you. While everyone else is finding their feet, you already set up a suspense-filled plot stream. So much for a peaceful flirt-filled flight for Kes.

[Azazeal849]

Azazeal849, man I stand in awe of you. While everyone else is finding their feet, you already set up a suspense-filled plot stream.

Thank you very much!



So much for a peaceful flirt-filled flight for Kes.

There's always time for flirting! :P Random question, where did Caesaro get the nickname "Kes" from?


Enigma, seeing as how we are likely to run into the Zayan Wanderer fairly soon, what does she look like? Is she still running about in orange prison overalls?

[Sy23]

Simply a contraction of his surname.

I too am eagerly awaiting the Zayan Wanderer. :) - You are right, there's always time for flirting...

[GraftRaven]

As of now she's closer to myself than you two.

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

So... coupons anyone?

[Sy23]

Yeah I might wander down and pick up a coupon -

[Enigma]

The wanderer is out wandering Deck 4, the Promenade deck. Looks like she just missed Michael.

You've all received invitations via your Omnis to sit at the captain's table tonight. 7 PM, don't be late.

[GraftRaven]

Nice plot mover there cap'n!

[Azazeal849]

Yeah I might wander down and pick up a coupon -

For chicken fried in blood? Drinking any sizeable quantity of blood tends to make people throw up. Then again, maybe it would just taste like it was battered in black pudding...

[Sy23]

Kes has been around, including the vampire planet of Gua'isa, where he developed a taste for the local fast food (in small quantities)

[GraftRaven]

Alright, i'm going to point this out before it gets more out of hand so that we can all straighten it out: Nemix went to the bar in one of the dining rooms to watch the captain's table, Michael went to the same place claiming that Nemix was at the table, and Daniel went to the captain's cabin claiming that Michael and Nemix were both there alone.

So, what now?

[Sy23]

I assumed the bar was close to the Captain's table, so that sitting there made it obvious you were going to go to the captain's table as soon as the Captain himself arrived - surely etiquette means you have to wait for him before you can be seated.

[Azazeal849]

Did I say "captain's cabin"? Damn, I did. I meant the captain's dining room, or whatever the place is called. Editting.

[GraftRaven]

Well, I was going for that, but we all seem to have come up with different stories and character placements that don't match up.

Call me a stickler for details like that.

[Azazeal849]

There were three others waiting, two aliens and another human who looked oddly familiar. Familiar people weren't always friendly.

So, Shade knows either Kes or Daniel. :O What's the story behind that, and do they recognise him back?

[Enigma]

The Constellation Dining Room has a bar, the steward would have directed you there to wait until the captain appears. When he arrives, the steward will come over and have you go to the Captain's Table as a group. As his guests, the drinks are covered.

If you had sat down at the table, the steward would have reminded you softly to stand when the Captain approaches and to sit down again after he sits.


So, Shade knows either Kes or Daniel. :O What's the story behind that, and do they recognise him back?

Daniel,as a Londinium spy should know that the previous Earth Ambassador to Londinium was John Paris Senior. I'll post John's bio in a moment.

[Enigma]

NPC
Character Name: John Paris II, a.k.a. "Shade"
Deck/Cabin Assignment: Deck 1, Nova
Description:
Profession: Freelance Assassin/Spy
Bio: The young, spoilt son of a famous Terran diplomat, John Paris I, who started winding up in paparazzi reports while his dad was assigned in Londinium, clubbing with royalty. Finally, at 17, John II was shipped back to Earth to attend Oxford university - and almost immediately got himself expelled.

Cambridge and Harvard refused him. In desperation, John I made a deal with his son - keep his nose clean, make good grades, and on his graduation, he would get his own space yacht. And John II. did it, earning a law degree from New York University, the middle of his graduating class.

He took possession of his space yacht - and disappeared for two years. Ships were sent out to search, but nothing was ever found. Everyone thought he was dead, until the day almost two years after his disappearance John II stumbled into a Brotherhood of Man Chapter House on the remote world of Charon.

He was a changed man, thinner, more rugged, and more determined. The spoiled playboy was gone. Rumors said that a complete medical checkup included a thorough check of his dna, to confirm he was the real John Paris II, followed by several psychiatric interviews.

John II dropped out of the public view after that - he became an agent for Terran Intelligence Directorate. For five years, he was the unstoppable man, able and willing to do anything ordered of him. They started to call him "Shade" when he was reported dead - with admittedly distant confirmation, only to reappear a month later, killing the man who supposedly killed him.

Shortly after that, he left TID, going freelance, working for dozens of governments and several interplanetary corporations, doing whatever pays well - espionage, counter-espionage - and assassinations. He's twice been reported dead - only the body vanishes and when he's next seen, his killer is dead - by Shade's hand.

[Sy23]

Kes would have maybe seen his picture in news holovids, but I don't think they know each other personally.

[Azazeal849]

So two spies, an ex-spy, a vampire and a pirate walk into the captain's bar...whatever the punchline for this joke is, it's going to be good.

[Sy23]

LAWLZ

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Oh, sorry. He wasn't at the table?

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

I edited my post.

[GraftRaven]

A post is in the works. Tumbling through me mind, hopefully onto teh intarwebz by sometime tomorrow... or later today (yea its about 1:00 am)

[Enigma]

I will be going out of town on Friday and should be back hopefully by Tuesday 8/16. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Juicesir]

Is this still open and accepting? Been lurking a bit and this one caught my eye.

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Jeez, it feels like nothing's happening.

[Azazeal849]

Well, Enigma did say he'd be away until next Tuesday. I'm taking the free time to catch up on other projects.

[Sy23]

I'll be away until Sunday - after that, I'll try and drag things forward a bit. I'm good at stirring the pot :)

[Enigma]

just popped in to say I'm away until tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed!

Things have conspired against me, could barely be in this week.

[Azazeal849]

Aaaand it's Tuesday! Looking forward to the next GM post and hope RL is treating you more fairly now.

[Enigma]

The next two weeks look like they're going to be bad. Boss told me today that they've already authorized overtime for it. But I'll try to post daily!

[Azazeal849]

Why couldn't that blasted computer have selected at least one woman to be here?

Well, there was supposed to be, but SandQueen hasn't posted yet :)

[Enigma]

lol, I know - but she's busy.

My aunt died Friday night from a stroke - I'm going back for the funeral on Wednesday.

[Azazeal849]

Aww, man. That's pure shan. Commiserations, and I hope you and your folks are okay.

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Guys, I will only be active on Fridays and Saturdays. Sorry and thank you for reading.

[Azazeal849]

He was racking his mind frantically, wondering if they'd met before. Had he dallied with his daughter or sister - or mother, come to that?

I have to say, Sy, that line brought a smile to my face :P

[Sy23]

LOL, well our Kes ain't fussy :)

[Azazeal849]

"Oh, crud!" Michael stood up, coming out of his trance.

Does anyone else find it a rather funny idea that PCs just stand around daydreaming when their authors aren't there to write for them?

Sorry, sorry by the way; a comparatively short reply and about 4 days overdue...

[Sy23]

Yeah, that occurred to me too - but with god-modding so frowned upon in the best RP circles, what can ya do???

[Enigma]

I've posted to the ic. Sorry guys!

[Sy23]

Enigma, belated condolences re your aunt - hope time will be the healer they say it is.

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Does anyone else find it a rather funny idea that PCs just stand around daydreaming when their authors aren't there to write for them?

Sorry, sorry by the way; a comparatively short reply and about 4 days overdue...

If there was a like button, I would click it on that post.

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Anyway, it looks like I have nothing to post for now.

[Azazeal849]

If there was a like button, I would click it on that post.

Well there's always the "add to reputation" button, but I think that's supposed to be for good roleplaying rather than for being funny :P

[Azazeal849]

Thank god for that, I was afraid I'd somehow killed the thread. :P

[Azazeal849]

Don't want this ending up in the recycle bin, so there's a small update for anyone who's still following.

[Azazeal849]

"If you will excuse me, Gentles," Paris leered as he stood up, "But I have another engagement tonight."

Oh dear. Now how to similarly excuse Danny without arousing suspicion?

Perhaps he can play up his part as the stuffy Londinian gentleman, for whom scantily-clad women are simply not the done thing. :P

[Sy23]

You obviously have little experience of Londoners, my friend :)

[Azazeal849]

Oh I have plenty of experience of Londoners - Daniel however is from a planet of stereotypes enforced by people who have never actually been to the UK :P

[Sy23]

LAWLZ, this one has STYLE :)

[Enigma]

You could try waiting a few moments, then excuse yourself to visit the bathroom. Hopefully you'll make it to the hall before he's out of sight.

[Azazeal849]

Ah, but if he did that they'd expect him to come back, and not doing so might arouse suspicion and blow his cover. Especially since the stuffy Londinians are known to be rigid timekeepers. :mustache:

I'll see about posting on Monday - it's going to be a blazing hot weekend here and I intend to make the most of it. :D

[Azazeal849]

Posted, sorry it's a day late. So what happens next?

[Enigma]

A confrontation or two, I think.

[Azazeal849]

That's interesting. I wonder who gave Paris advanced warning of Daniel's arrival...?

[Enigma]

Daniel was sitting at the captain's table, he followed Paris out to the elevator bank and joined him in the same elevator car. Why would Paris need any warning?

[Azazeal849]

Ah, no, my bad haha

I thought he was calling Daniel out on being an agent sent to kill him, and I was wondering how he could have figured that out.

But upon a second reading, I've just realised that he thinks Daniel wants to sleep with him.

L.

O.

L.

[Enigma]

It's harder to track someone by yourself on a cruise ship. There's just so many times you can bump into someone until they start suspecting something.

Of course, he may have said that just to see what Daniel comes back with.

[Sy23]

And I'm stuck with the captain - should I make an excuse too, or will the skipper answer my question?

[Enigma]

The captain did answer your question, there is a monk standing at the table with you and the captain. I swapped the bit with Daniel and Paris in the elevator to the bottom and put the captain's reply to you on top.

[Sy23]

Ok - well I think I know where to go from here...

[Azazeal849]

Awaiting suitably dramatic update... ~ice~

[Azazeal849]

Hi guys, I'm away to Amsterdam tomorrow for my friend's birthday - back Sunday afternoon so hopefully I can start posting again on Monday after work.

[Enigma]

Hi guys, I'm away to Amsterdam tomorrow for my friend's birthday - back Sunday afternoon so hopefully I can start posting again on Monday after work.

Ok! Enjoy!

I'm waiting for at least two replies before I post, just so everyone knows.

[Azazeal849]

Sorry it's a wee bit late. Been kept rather busy recently...

[Azazeal849]

So many potential outcomes...

Paris goes down but wakes up earlier than expected, Paris is hiding inside his ship, Paris is immune to the poison because of the pills he's been taking, Paris is wearing armour that deflects the dart, Paris has weird alien superpowers...

...whatever happens, I bet it's going to be exciting!

EDIT - My apologies for being the slow one in the "at least 2 replies" again.

[Azazeal849]

Assuming Daniel approached the ship after realising that Paris wasn't there, would he have heard that conversation?

[Enigma]

The airlock hatch for Paris' ship was sealed. Something loud like a gunshot could be heard but it would be muffled somewhat. Conversation? Nope.

[Azazeal849]

Fuck. The previous post never said anything about Paris and the late Mr DeWinger closing the airlock behind them, so I assumed it was still open. This invalidates a fair bit of my last post so I'll change it.

[Sy23]

Well, this is kinda awkward for a RPer to admit, but I'm stuck. My charrie's sort of stuck out of the action, on the fringes and can't really get involved until circumstances change. I'm not abandoning this RP, just can't see any post that could help the story...

[Azazeal849]

Maybe go down and visit the Wanderer?

[Enigma]

The little man darted into the hatch, then turned to challenge the assassin as he boarded his ship, closing the hatch behind him.

"Now where's that... no!" he yelled, seeing the tiny gun in the assassin's hand.
"Yes," the assassin said, firing twice.


Fuck. The previous post never said anything about Paris and the late Mr DeWinger closing the airlock behind them, so I assumed it was still open. This invalidates a fair bit of my last post so I'll change it.

Like I said, you may have heard gunshots but they'd be muffled.

But you would have heard what Paris was saying when the hatch was opening...


"If I can get her to the neural probe at New Ofxord, maybe I can bring back something..."

SY23 - you've overheard Master Hand - you could do a query to find out more about wanderers. Right now, there's a couple of younger brothers down in Sickbay where the girl is. You could pump them for information.

[Azazeal849]

Aha. I was referring to the hanger door rather than the door in the side of the ship. If the former is open but the latter is closed them my previous post is actually okay and I will reply again shortly.

[Sy23]

Azazeal849 and enigma, both excellent suggestions. My original planned course of action depended on waiting until the next morning, but since I last posted I've worked out where to go next with this.

[Azazeal849]

Now what would be really inconvenient, would be if Kes were to walk into sickbay at that exact moment, causing Daniel's bug to detect the movement and transmit a video to his omni, causing a barely audible beep... *eyebrows*

[Sy23]

Well, he hasn't actually gone into the sickbay at the moment in question, but he's in the vicinity, so that could happen...

[VerifyinTr1gIDs]

Guys, feel free to control Michael.

[Azazeal849]

Trying to reconcile "dirty jokes" and "gentlemanly ways" in my head :P


Well, he hasn't actually gone into the sickbay at the moment in question, but he's in the vicinity, so that could happen...

Cool. As you might have guessed, I'm suggesting things that will generate drama, rather than what's actually good for Daniel lol


VerifyinTr1gIDs, you should get involved!

[Sy23]

Dirty jokes with the men, politeness with the ladies.. . :)

[Azazeal849]

What happens if there's one of each in the room? :P

Enigma, I'll discuss my thoughts with you before posting as I assume you have your own plan - Daniel's going to fire his dart at Paris as soon as he appears and then run forward and grapple with him so that he doesn't have time to pull a gun and shoot Daniel while he's waiting for the poison to knock him out (it'll take 1-2 minutes, assuming Paris isn't augmented in some way). How would that pan out?

[Enigma]

What sort of poison? A paralytic? Hopefully your gun holds more than one dart - you'll probably need two or three.

Paris would try to remove the dart while going on the offensive. His omni will connect to an alien medical implant inside Paris and use it to monitor the assassin's life signs and to analyze the poison.

Once the AI determines that you just intend to capture Paris, it will order the implant to prepare an antidote and to give Paris just enough to keep him alive while trying to collect as much information about you, while pretending to be a customized but otherwise conventional smart-device.

Later, it will either help Paris escape or kill him. A small explosion will follow afterward to destroy the assassin's body, leaving little trace. Then the next Paris will be activated and sent out.

[Azazeal849]

The next Paris? Uh oh.



What sort of poison? A paralytic? Hopefully your gun holds more than one dart - you'll probably need two or three.

Not a paralytic, a blood deoxygenator (specifically, cyanide). It would render you unconscious in about a minute due to suffocation and kill you within half an hour by the same method. It is however curable with hydroxocobalamin (which Daniel has among his tea sachets) and a few other compounds.

So the question is if and when Paris' implant synthesises the antidote. I see three possibilities:

It acts in time to prevent him falling unconscious (so the fight continues)
It cures him while Daniel's carrying him back to his cabin (causing him to wake up and get the drop on Daniel)
It doesn't work, at least not before Daniel administers his own antidote.

[Sy23]

What happens if there's one of each in the room? :P



This is Kes we're talking about. He'd make a joke that no lady would understand, but that the male would know was absolutely filthy! *weee*

[Enigma]

The next Paris? Uh oh.He's died a few times - unfortunately his unknown masters keep bringing him back to life. Death is not an escape for him. After they get done punishing Paris for his failures, he then takes it out on his killer.

This is why he's sometimes called "Shade" - someone reports killing him, but other implants destroy his body - sometimes very violently - and since there's no body, there's no way to confirm he's dead. And then he pops up again after killing his killer. As nobody could possibly clone a body that fast (or implant memories), it's assumed that the death report was wrong, and Paris was just holed up someplace recovering.


So the question is if and when Paris' implant synthesizes the antidote. I see three possibilities:

It acts in time to prevent him falling unconscious (so the fight continues)
It cures him while Daniel's carrying him back to his cabin (causing him to wake up and get the drop on Daniel)
It doesn't work, at least not before Daniel administers his own antidote.

For known compounds, the implant can very quickly identify and produce a cure. But the alien AI in Paris' Omni will prevent it from delivering the antidote if it thinks by doing so it can get information out of you. While it seems subservient, it's a partnership - and Paris is actually just the muscle. Expendable, as they can replace him very quickly. So you can probably get him back to your cabin and get some information out of him.

[Azazeal849]

Aye-firmitive. My next update should be sometime next week - sorry for the delay, but I'm meeting some old uni mates in Manchester over the weekend and I foresee myself being pretty...occupied :D

[Azazeal849]

Ack! So very, very busy right now :(

[Enigma]

Nobody else is posting. I'm wondering if this has died.

[Sy23]

Well, I'm still posting - stuck one up a few minutes ago, in fact - but my charrie is a bit out of the mainstream at the moment, and a bit limited in the ability to move the plot along until I know exactly what the main characters' intentions are.

I am enjoying the story, and have a definite idea what Kes should do next - but in order for him to do it, plotwise, he has to perceive a definite threat to the wanderer, which hasn;t materialized as yet.

I really hope others stick with this RP - it's a good one!

[Azazeal849]

Don't worry Enigma, I'm still with you. Like I said in my previous post, I just seem to have no free time at the moment (it's ridiculous, I'm in a different city every weekend...). But I'm sure the busy phase will pass soon and when it does I'll get right back to posting :) In the meantime, sorry for holding you up.

[Azazeal849]

Progress update - due to my idiosyncratic writing order I now have a scene written where Daniel interrogates Paris (since it involves some NPCing, I'll run it by Enigma before I post it) but still need to write the fight that leads up to it.

Still busy busy (got to love the run-up to christmas ;ahh; ) but I'm trying to fit in writing time here and there whenever I can.

[Enigma]

Any longer and the mods will close this thread for inactivity, just so you know! ;)

[Azazeal849]

Ack! Sorry Enigma, I'll go as fast as I can. Don't they make allowances for the fact that forums usually go quiet over christmas when everyone has tonnes of RL to take care of?

[Sy23]

Ack! Sorry Enigma, I'll go as fast as I can. Don't they make allowances for the fact that forums usually go quiet over christmas when everyone has tonnes of RL to take care of?

I agree here - I know here in Australia, the whole country virtually shuts down until the end of Jan, and all normal life is suspended. In my own case I am going away - I have attached below the round-robin I am sending to all my regular RP partners.

I really hope "Scorpio" is still alive by the time I get back to regular posting, 'cos it's too good a game to die IMO.


To all with whom I am currently RPing.

Due to the time of year, I am going away, maybe for a month or so. The place where I am going has no regular internet connection, and I will be dependent on cyber-cafes and libraries. This means that I will be posting only occasionally (maybe once or twice a week, if that), and not the daily postings to which some have been accustomed to seeing from me.

Please note - I have not abandoned any of the RPs I am in, and it is not my habit to abandon any RP without formally notifying the GM. So if you don't hear from me for a while, it is for the reasons given above. I hope to return to my home city with all sorts of new ideas for plot twists for 2012.

Salute, joyous Saturnalia and a happy new year to all.

[Azazeal849]

See you soon, Sy!

Enigma, post is up. Sorry it took so long. It involves a fair bit of NPCing, but I hope I've kept to the spirit of the instructions you left (and stayed reasonably true to Paris' personality). If anything needs changing just let me know.

I assume the next scene will involve Paris' body abruptly exploding, leaving Daniel with a bit of explaining to do :P

[Enigma]

@sy23 - ouch! Really bad timing on my part. S'ok, we'll work it out. The steward's like a string puppet right now and I've got a few monks I can throw between him and you.

@Azazeal849 - it's fine! very well done. He's got two ways to go - his body can explode, or it can just disintegrate, leaving almost no trace. Someone wants to know who sent you, so anything Paris was touching is gone. The chair, the bioplas binders, the iv, pieces of carpet (good think it's self-healing) - gone in a flash of light. As far as Paris' Omni/Handler, it's still in the room with you. At the moment, it's lying on the floor under your bed, almost like it had fallen off at some point.

[Azazeal849]

Hmmm, well Daniel has an eye for detail (as mentioned in one of my early IC posts) so he'd probably be a bit suspicious of the thing having moved when he didn't take it off. I'm guessing he'd pick it up (with some sort of utensil - it looks like the thing disintegrated Paris so who knows what it will do to him!) and put it in the secret compartment in his suitcase to give to SIS R+D at a later date. I'm also guessing that when he comes back for it he'll be surprised to discover that it has mysteriously vanished!

Though not as surprised as when Paris comes back from the dead to return a certain favour... (s_evil)

[Enigma]

mmm, an R&D lab to eat. Should be tasty! ^ _ ^;

R&D also has a neural probe. And you've just killed a freelance assassin. Someone needs to call home, maybe make arrangements for a pickup and see if her memories can be recovered. Or you could try taking Paris' ship - it can easily make the journey. As far as you know, the current user doesn't seem to have a use for it.

Of course, you might find it helpful to acquire the services of a notorious space pirate to help you take over Paris' ship.

[Azazeal849]

Keep your enemies close, and the renegade you plan to eventually apprehend closer...I like it.

Although first thing's first - Daniel will be sent sprinting up to medical by the bug he put opposite the door detecting the deranged and armed steward going in...

[Enigma]

Keep your enemies close, and the renegade you plan to eventually apprehend closer...I like it.

Although first thing's first - Daniel will be sent sprinting up to medical by the bug he put opposite the door detecting the deranged and armed steward going in...

Remember who else is down there.

[Adrian Faust]

LOL! -.-"
lost my freakin character!
-.-"
gotta re-write him!
but not tonight!
F***!!!!!!!
anyways... he's gonna be good...
(question to self.... WHY THE F*** did I quit doing safety copies in document before posting!?)

[Enigma]

>.<;

Sorry to hear that. Hope you find it soon!

[Azazeal849]

Ooh, we're expecting a new character?

[Enigma]

Ooh, we're expecting a new character?
Hopefully. a bounty hunter. I miss the reporter, the interplanetary big game hunter, the lost alien and the exobiologist.

[Adrian Faust]

yupp, he's laid back but serious when you've forced him to the edge! ;D

[Azazeal849]

Just a heads up, I'm not going to have internet between tomorrow and the 29th (although realistically I'll probably still be busy until at least the 2nd). I'll be back to posting ASAP after that. In the meantime, happy christmas everybody!

[Enigma]

Ok! Have a great holiday!

[Sy23]

I have the same problem, unfortuinately - just wanted to let everyone know I am still involved in this, even if I can't do long posts! Am sruck with internet cafes right now :(

[Lokidoki]

Player Name: Lokidoki

Character Name: Harley Black

Deck/Cabin Assignment: Deck 5, Blue Star 573.

Description: Harley Black is very odd. He is kind, loving, and social. He prefers to observe rather than to interfere with the goings on around him. If he doesn't have something to say, he will not speak. But, in the event that he does have a pertinent opinion, he will be sure to make it known. Black has a tendency to conspire when conspiracy is not really needed. Make no mistake, this is not for the sake of causing trouble.

Black's innermost concern is truth, and that everyone understands the true facts unanimously, so there can be peace.

Profession: A private philosopher, and theoretical physicist and interworld writer, most famous for his book, Inside the Tree Mind, concerning the race of sentient "trees" discovered on the now protected planet of L'arbres. In the past, Harley Black has done highly classified consultations for Quantum Artificial Interplanetary (QAI), the bigwig science corporation responsible for many up and coming technological and biological breakthroughs. He has been indirectly involved in the most important secret interworld events in recent times, but very very few people are aware of this.

Bio: Harley wanders from place to place. His family is his intellect, his imagination is his home. His friends are numerous enough, though they are scattered planetside such that they seem scarce. He has his ways of meeting with them, however. Harley's close friendships with several important people throughout the interworld community has been beneficial to him. Formerly, he had invested in his own state of the art starship, the SS Faldosso, which was a remarkable vessel in part based on his own ideas. It was manufactured by the partially subversive interworld corporation, Quantum Artificial. The ships present whereabouts, and those of his fugitive brother, Natalus Black, are unknown. In a confusing debacle with Quantum Artificial Interplanetary, involving his dear friend M.R. Muscella and the C.E.O., Harley was revoked his corporate privileges, and his brother was accused of vague crimes.

Harley Black has so many loose ends, and so little time left in his life to tie them all up again, for the sake of the interworld community, he was forced to embark on the interstellar cruise ship Scorpio.

P.S. ENIGMA, I could surely pull of exobiology. I had every intention of relating myself directly to alien affairs, biological and technological.

[Enigma]

A philosopher, I like it! ^ _ ^

Approved! The action is currently taking place down in the ship's Sickbay on Deck 8, a.k.a. The Life Deck. One man is on his way down, the other is already there.

[Lokidoki]

A philosopher, I like it! ^ _ ^

Approved! The action is currently taking place down in the ship's Sickbay on Deck 8, a.k.a. The Life Deck. One man is on his way down, the other is already there.

Yes, I've caught myself up. Thanks! :P

[Lokidoki]

Can I ask, what are the "Red Mountains beanstalk," on Shilnon? And also, are the characters allowed to go down and visit Shilnon while the ship is stopped? Is there enough time?

Also, some questions in regards to time dilation. If I'm applying common theory to what you said in an earlier post about being pulled into hyperspace by a clump of dark matter, then it follows that in hyperspace, we're not even passing through time relative to the rest of the universe. So, as long as we're travelling between planets, we're aging that duration, but to the planets at beginning and end, we simply leaped instantaneously across space. That means we can't communicate with planetside destinations... Is this correct according to your settings?

[Enigma]

Can I ask, what are the "Red Mountains beanstalk," on Shilnon? And also, are the characters allowed to go down and visit Shilnon while the ship is stopped? Is there enough time?
A beanstalk is basically a really tall elevator tower, connecting the beanstalk base with a geostationary "head" in low earth orbit. Capsules containing passengers and cargo are constantly moving up and down the beanstalk.

Assuming you're still on board when the ship docks with the beanstalk head, you may ride the beanstalk to your heart's content.


Also, some questions in regards to time dilation. If I'm applying common theory to what you said in an earlier post about being pulled into hyperspace by a clump of dark matter, then it follows that in hyperspace, we're not even passing through time relative to the rest of the universe. So, as long as we're travelling between planets, we're aging that duration, but to the planets at beginning and end, we simply leaped instantaneously across space. That means we can't communicate with planetside destinations... Is this correct according to your settings?

Not quite. These are type I dark matter engines that do not fully draw the ship into hyperspace. Instead the ship coasts on the edge, in a zone known as "Interspace." This allows for greater than normal space speeds but it's not instantaneous.

Your ship can have an improved Type Ix engine that would allow it to be faster than the cruise ship in interspace but it would not be able to transition in and out of hyperspace.

The only type II dark matter engine in human space that allows for full transition into hyperspace is mounted in Paris' ship.

Special interspace transmitters do exist and the cruise ship has two, but there is a time delay with only slight dilation. Real time communication isn't possible unless the transmitters are very close, but you can do emails.


EDIT: Lokidoki, to avoid sanctions from double-posting, I'm waiting for one of the other players to post before I can reply to you.

[Azazeal849]

Welcome aboard, Lokidoki! Now what have I missed...

[Enigma]

Not much really. We've been slow since before Xmas

[Azazeal849]

Should I wait for Sy to get back before posting again? As I expect Daniel will run into them first (running out) on his way into Medical.

[Sy23]

Feel free to post - I am at a place with no regular internet connection. It's all I can do to read the posts people are making, via cybercafes etc. Lest there be any doubt, I am still in... very much so. I've just "parked" Kes out of the mainstream until I get back...

[Enigma]

There's two posts, you can reply. Hopefully Sy will be back soon.

Edit: eeep! Sorry to hear that Sy! You've said ti before but I'd hoped this would fix itself. Worse comes to worse, Paris or someone else may take you hostage to find out where the others have gone.

If Daniel winds up taking Paris' ship, keep in mind that the drive will work conventionally only without the passcode - it will take better computers than Londinium or Earth has to break it.

[Azazeal849]

Well, Daniel will probably want to go and see Dr Solow first.

Also, lol, "omning"...

[Azazeal849]

I think I killed the thread...

[Enigma]

sorry, I've been slammed lately!

CLEAR!

**ZAP!**

Still flat! Turn it up to 350! CLEAR!

***ZAP!***

Got a beat!

[Azazeal849]

LOL.

Is making it to a Brotherhood temple a major plot point? Just because Daniel, based on the BS that Paris fed him, is likely to do nothing of the sort (specifically, he'll go see Dr Solow to get the neural probe then head for Londinium where he can hand both the Other and Kes over to the SIS).

Of course, just because this is his plan, doesn't mean they won't end up at a Brotherhood temple. For starters Paris' ship is only sublight without the passcode (as you said earlier) so they're probably stuck with landing on the nearest planet rather than being able to go straight to Londinium. And that's provided that the Scorpio isn't in deep space where STL travel won't get them no-god-damn-where.

I'd like to hear your GM thoughts on the subject, Enigma :>

[Sy23]

Guys, I am back - sorry for any inconvenience my absence has caused, but tomorrow I hope to be back to regular posting - as soon as I can get time to answer the 130 urgent emails that greeted me on my return!

[Enigma]

LOL.

Is making it to a Brotherhood temple a major plot point? Just because Daniel, based on the BS that Paris fed him, is likely to do nothing of the sort (specifically, he'll go see Dr Solow to get the neural probe then head for Londinium where he can hand both the Other and Kes over to the SIS). I'm not expecting you to make it to a Brotherhood Temple at all, but one is available if you need it. And anyone the Brotherhood sends after the girl will certainly want to take her there.


Of course, just because this is his plan, doesn't mean they won't end up at a Brotherhood temple. For starters Paris' ship is only sublight without the passcode (as you said earlier) so they're probably stuck with landing on the nearest planet rather than being able to go straight to Londinium. And that's provided that the Scorpio isn't in deep space where STL travel won't get them no-god-damn-where.

I'd like to hear your GM thoughts on the subject, Enigma :>

If you use regular rockets to push yourself clear of the cruise ship's interspace wake, you'll fall back into normal space after a couple minutes and then be able to use the ship's own interspace engines to make it to the nearest or next nearest system.

Or you can do something crazy and hit the interspace drive right after you get out the hanger door which anyone who knows better will tell you never to do with an interspace engine while inside the field of a larger interspace engine. (In theory, you might pop out like a cork from a campaign bottle - or suffer a dark matter incursion. They say you're not aware of a dark matter incursion if it happens, it's very sudden. They're wrong, but then anyone watching was outside the incursion zone). But then Paris doesn't have a normal interspace engine.


Guys, I am back - sorry for any inconvenience my absence has caused, but tomorrow I hope to be back to regular posting - as soon as I can get time to answer the 130 urgent emails that greeted me on my return!K! Post soon!

[Sy23]

Just got my "resumption post" in - I approve totally of the way Kes was played in my absence, though it has changed the direction I was planning to take things. It's now given me a new idea of a plot twist.

Did everyone notice she seems to have acquired a nickname, courtesy of Kes? :)

[Azazeal849]

I did. Although when you said this:


"She's pretty though, isn't she?"

I realised that we've never been given a description of what our little alien friend looks like! So I sincerely hope that you haven't just described something resembling Lister's wife (http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/features/analysis/funny-valentine-1/funny_valentine_3.jpg) as "pretty" :P

[Sy23]

Cracked up and this - 'cos it's one of my fave episodes!

Point is though, since she's obviously humanoid to an extent - for Kes' purpose, it doesn't really matter if she's actually pretty or not. What he needed to do was say something that would break through her coma and register. What he really thinks isn't relevant - simply making that remark (even if he privately thinks she's as ugly as a hat full of bumholes) was his attempt to get a reaction. Deep down at a subconscious level, she's still alive...

[Azazeal849]

That said, we already know that Kes is a man of...unusual tastes.


"With any luck" thought Kes, "They'll be some gorgeous Persephonian Houri, or one of the feline women form the planet Skhkreee, or a Drakona girl - they say they have two, er, thingies...

:P

[Enigma]

Butterflies need no excuse.

Do we still have our new poster?

[Azazeal849]

His/her last post was on the 6th, and they were last online about a week ago.

Can we have a physical description of "Butterfly", just for future reference?

[Sy23]

Totally agree with Azazeal here - I'd love to know what Butterfly looks like.

Yes, Kes does have his unusual tastes - one of the really fun parts of SF RP is being able to chuck in throwaway line like the bit about Persephonian Houri. I have no more of what they look like than anyone else by the way... as for the Drakonan girl, if you have a look at what's big on youtube at the moment, it seems very much a case of life imitating art!!

[Azazeal849]

Enigma - I've made quite a short post there, so if you let me know what happens next I'll extend it. :>

[Char]

Player Name: Char

Character Name: Char Wakan

Deck/Cabin Assignment: Deck 2 - Silver Star 254

Description: Char Wakan is an male insectoid bipedal known as the Mza. He is 11 standard years old, which is the average beginning for Mza adulthood as they live a bit less than humans. He has a pliable yet durable exoskeleton, which is covered with a thin layer of brown hair-like structures. Like almost all Mza, his eyes are small and beady and have very poor eyesight. He wears an almost comically large pair of glasses to somewhat compensate for this weakness, though he still sees things best only when they are moving. Mza also have small mandibles, similar to various insects and arachnids, which assist them in grabbing and placing food into their mouths. Mza hands and feet are claw like, though have individual finger-like structures on the larger half of the claw to help with manipulation and dexterity. Overall, his body appearance is fairly tall and very slender. While lacking in raw strength, the agility and litheness of the Mza can be very advantageous given the right situation.

Profession: Char works as a mere line-cook in a small restaurant.

Bio: Char is a young and adventurous one, though as per his lower job he doesn't exactly get enough money to go traveling as much as he would like. He has been on a few adventures before, traversing several planets and seeing various cultures, and he certainly enjoys the thrill of meeting new people despite the fact that he is an introvert. Now, after working to save up some money for the past few months, Char has finally purchased his single ticket for the Zodiac. All the hard work was finally paying off, and for nearly a year now, he would be able to go on a splendid journey through the stars, unlike any he had ever undertaken yet. Thus, Char has packed his bag and is eager to find new experiences in the months to come on the Zodiac.

[Lokidoki]

Just to clarify, according to one of the latest posts, presently, Master Hand is with the burn-victim and a steward still in the medical lab?

[Enigma]

Player Name: Char

Character Name: Char Wakan

Deck/Cabin Assignment:

Description: Char Wakan is an male insectoid bipedal known as the Mza. He is 11 standard years old, which is the average beginning for Mza adulthood as they live a bit less than humans. He has a pliable yet durable exoskeleton, which is covered with a thin layer of brown hair-like structures. Like almost all Mza, his eyes are small and beady and have very poor eyesight. He wears an almost comically large pair of glasses to somewhat compensate for this weakness, though he still sees things best only when they are moving. Mza also have small mandibles, similar to various insects and arachnids, which assist them in grabbing and placing food into their mouths. Mza hands and feet are claw like, though have individual finger-like structures on the larger half of the claw to help with manipulation and dexterity. Overall, his body appearance is fairly tall and very slender. While lacking in raw strength, the agility and litheness of the Mza can be very advantageous given the right situation.

Profession: Char works as a mere line-cook in a small restaurant.

Bio: Char is a young and adventurous one, though as per his lower job he doesn't exactly get enough money to go traveling as much as he would like. He has been on a few adventures before, traversing several planets and seeing various cultures, and he certainly enjoys the thrill of meeting new people despite the fact that he is an introvert. Now, after working to save up some money for the past few months, Char has finally purchased his single ticket for the Zodiac. All the hard work was finally paying off, and for nearly a year now, he would be able to go on a splendid journey through the stars, unlike any he had ever undertaken yet. Thus, Char has packed his bag and is eager to find new experiences in the months to come on the Zodiac. It sounds like he's traveling economy, which would be red star on Deck 6, so I'm giving you a promotional upgrade to a silver star cabin on the back end of Deck 2 - Silver Star 254 - right next to Kes' cabin (odd numbers are on the other side of the passageway). It's a promotion Zodiac Line is having to get aliens to travel a human cruise line. Did you get on board at our last port of call, Beaumonde? Or before that? We're not due to make our next for another couple days. And these guys may wind up leaving before then.


Just to clarify, according to one of the latest posts, presently, Master Hand is with the burn-victim and a steward still in the medical lab? Master Hand is still dealing with the situation with the steward in the medical lab - the steward is the one with the head burns from being forcibly brainwashed by some very exotic alien tech. I was hoping your character, Daniel and Kes could all ride the elevator together *sigh*.

[Lokidoki]

I was hoping your character, Daniel and Kes could all ride the elevator together *sigh*.

hahaha
That's what I was looking forward to. I waited for more people to post for many days and suddenly everyone posted at once! Now I'm kind of lost...
I guess I'll just throw myself into the steward and Master Hand scene. The medlab is really on Deck 8, correct? Because it's not mentioned in any of the floor descriptions in the OOC.

[Char]

Thanks for the seat promotion by the way :D I'll just go ahead and say I was on at the last port of call, Beaumonde. During the recent... events, we'll just say that I was amongst the basic crowds of people and only started to take much interest when the announcement of an armed man on Deck 8 happened. Does that work? If not, I could just jump on at the next stop.

[Lokidoki]

Char, let's run into each other on the ship after I leave the medical deck. We're both brand new characters. That is, unless you choose to introduce yourself on the next planet.

[Char]

Lokidoki, that sounds like an excellent idea :D Would you care to meet up in the Skylight Park, or perhaps one of the bar/nightclubs?

[Enigma]

hahaha
That's what I was looking forward to. I waited for more people to post for many days and suddenly everyone posted at once! Now I'm kind of lost...
I guess I'll just throw myself into the steward and Master Hand scene. The medlab is really on Deck 8, correct? Because it's not mentioned in any of the floor descriptions in the OOC.

The medlab uses an older name - "Sickbay" - and is listed on Deck 8, which is also known as "The Life Deck" as most of the ship's life boats are here as are port and starboard passenger airlocks that connect to orbiting stations and passenger shuttles.


Thanks for the seat promotion by the way :D I'll just go ahead and say I was on at the last port of call, Beaumonde. During the recent... events, we'll just say that I was amongst the basic crowds of people and only started to take much interest when the announcement of an armed man on Deck 8 happened. Does that work? If not, I could just jump on at the next stop.

Coming on at Beaumonde is fine for me! Welcome aboard!


Lokidoki, that sounds like an excellent idea Would you care to meet up in the Skylight Park, or perhaps one of the bar/nightclubs? he's going to be in Sickbay with Master Hand - you could have a little accident that might spook the staff, like throwing up. Security, now that Sickbay is back under ship's control, would rush you down there to make sure you were ok.

Just a thought! If you two want to meet elsewhere, it's fine by me!

[Char]

Here we go, since Guest Services is on Deck 8, I am called there to be relocated from Red Star to Silver Star, as you mentioned. Thus, while I'm on Deck 8, Lokidoki could be coming out from Sick Bay or somewhere on Deck 8, thus we meet up! Sound good Lokidoki?

[Lokidoki]

Indeed it does. Funny how that worked out.

[Char]

Yes, lucky for us, eh? The post for our characters meeting is up, and I hope all is well with it

[Azazeal849]

The medlab uses an older name - "Sickbay"

My apologies, I picked the term "medlab" somewhat arbitrarily; I'll call it sickbay in future posts.

And I guess we'll have to bring Helen along for her own safety now, in case any other "surrogates" (or Paris clones...) make the same case of mistaken identity.

[Enigma]

You should probably talk to Helen first.

[Lokidoki]

Also, lol, "omning"...

Yes, thank you.
So, to everyone... I'm having trouble trying to figure out how to install myself into the main plot. Not that I don't have ideas, but it seems so tightly nit... Do you get what I'm saying? How do I actually tie myself in to the present action...?

[Enigma]

Yes, thank you.
So, to everyone... I'm having trouble trying to figure out how to install myself into the main plot. Not that I don't have ideas, but it seems so tightly nit... Do you get what I'm saying? How do I actually tie myself in to the present action...?
I want to pull both our new characters into the main story, definitely. I see the Midnight Marti Gras as a way to get you both into the story, assuming you both go together to have fun.

The raid on Paris' cabin will not go well - one of the security guards will be converted and turn on his companions. With access to the ship's security grid, he will quickly find the others - but because of the flash conversion, will try to warn them by appearing on the screen.

Harley will come to Char's cabin to take him to the Marti Gras as the others are leaving their cabin, when the security guard shows up and begins firing wildly. You all wind up heading down to the hanger where Paris' ship is. Harley will recognize the ship as one of his early designs (but will not recognize the engine modifications - someone has installed an additional set of coils and hardware he can't recognize) and has an override code saved in his Omni to get inside if he can't remember it, Kes can pilot. A third party will transmit a different override code to enable the new engines, pushing the ship into hyperspace.

Or maybe it's the ship you thought your brother stole, only a little changed on the outside. Paris has an eye for a good ship and a gun to guarantee a rock bottom price. What do you say?

[Lokidoki]

I want to pull both our new characters into the main story, definitely. I see the Midnight Marti Gras as a way to get you both into the story, assuming you both go together to have fun.

The raid on Paris' cabin will not go well - one of the security guards will be converted and turn on his companions. With access to the ship's security grid, he will quickly find the others - but because of the flash conversion, will try to warn them by appearing on the screen.

Harley will come to Char's cabin to take him to the Marti Gras as the others are leaving their cabin, when the security guard shows up and begins firing wildly. You all wind up heading down to the hanger where Paris' ship is. Harley will recognize the ship as one of his early designs (but will not recognize the engine modifications - someone has installed an additional set of coils and hardware he can't recognize) and has an override code saved in his Omni to get inside if he can't remember it, Kes can pilot. A third party will transmit a different override code to enable the new engines, pushing the ship into hyperspace.

Or maybe it's the ship you thought your brother stole, only a little changed on the outside. Paris has an eye for a good ship and a gun to guarantee a rock bottom price. What do you say?

I like it. The engine in the SS Faldosso is based on my "quantum inertia" principle, which basically uses the gravity of a star to slingshot a ship beyond lightspeed--an apparent alternative to your dark-matter engine... The downside of it is that you can only travel to and from stars... Of course, where else would you need to go? If that doesn't disagree with your conception of Paris's ship, that's OK. Honestly I was going to have the Faldosso turn up there eventually anyway. Make sense?

One more thing. If you WANT that ship to be the ship Paris has, how would he have gotten the Faldosso from Natalus, and also if it is alternatively the engine that Black designed idealistically, he would recognize the ship pretty soon despite the outside being altered slightly.

Oh, and one further more thing... when you said "push the ship into hyperspace..." This time did you mean fully into hyperspace? Because that would be instantaneous travel... Which if that's what you mean that would be OK, because incidentally I was going to explain all that with my theoretical physicist background, and they would all fit nicely together, but I thought it would happen much much later. It involves hyper-quantum particles that Harley Black has been studying throughout his career, in part with Natalus, and he consulted Muscella (the chief secretary of Quantum Artificial Interplanetary) on the matters, which is what motivated the corporation primarily to pursue technologies on the matter.

Also, I was going to perhaps use it to explain how the aliens transported the deaf-mute alien character instantaneously through space.

whew. A lot of information. Let me know about that.

[Enigma]

I like it. The engine in the SS Faldosso is based on my "quantum inertia" principle, which basically uses the gravity of a star to slingshot a ship beyond lightspeed--an apparent alternative to your dark-matter engine... The downside of it is that you can only travel to and from stars... Of course, where else would you need to go? If that doesn't disagree with your conception of Paris's ship, that's OK. Honestly I was going to have the Faldosso turn up there eventually anyway. Make sense?

Then it's not the Faldosso. The problem with sling-shooting a dark matter ship around a star is the gravity shallows, which if you engage the engines would result in a dark matter incursion that would tear the ship apart from the inside.


Oh, and one further more thing... when you said "push the ship into hyperspace..." This time did you mean fully into hyperspace? Because that would be instantaneous travel... Which if that's what you mean that would be OK, because incidentally I was going to explain all that with my theoretical physicist background, and they would all fit nicely together, but I thought it would happen much much later. It involves hyper-quantum particles that Harley Black has been studying throughout his career, in part with Natalus, and he consulted Muscella (the chief secretary of Quantum Artificial Interplanetary) on the matters, which is what motivated the corporation primarily to pursue technologies on the matter.

Paris's ship has slow hyperspace (it doesn't go deep enough), so a trip that should take weeks of interspace travel will only take hours. But yes, the device used to transport the alien is based on different principles and works almost instantaneously.

[Azazeal849]

Right, I'll have Daniel escort Helen up to Kes' cabin. Will anything noteworthy happen on the way there?

EDIT - Posted to allow the story to advance, but will change if needed.

[Enigma]

I'm waiting for the others to post before I post again so that I can see they're in position when it's time.

[Azazeal849]

Is it just me, or does Kes' joke about sending a backup sound oddly prophetic...

[Enigma]

Char? Lokidoki? You two still with us?

[Azazeal849]

Our two newcomers appear to have suffered a critical existence failure...

[Sy23]

I'm kinda waiting to post myself - have you pm'd them?

[Enigma]

I've pm'd them both. In any case, I'm posting tomorrow night, with or without them.

EDIT: Just heard back from Char, he was waiting on Lokidoki. I've asked him to post here and get his character by his cabin in time for the gun fight.

[Char]

Thanks again, Enigma :) Sorry about that guys, I just didn't want to be rude to Lokidoki. I'll make a post in the IC to place Char outside his cabin.

[Azazeal849]

Oooh, gun fight...?

[Char]

Sounds kinky :3

[Azazeal849]

Ah, that gun fight haha

Enigma, I'm going to have Daniel throw himself sideways into the wall (in an attempt to throw off Parker's aim) and open fire. However, seeing as how Parker has the draw on them I assume he'll get at least one shot off first. Does he hit any of us? And if so how badly?

[Enigma]

This is open consent. Who wants to get shot and how badly? I suggest nothing fatal, just flesh wounds please! Parker's will try not to shoot anyone but the Invader wants to, definitely. His target is the girl - but that doesn't mean he won't shoot back.

Sy23's post is very good - the bullet should deflect but he's not sure of that. Lovely!

Ship's Security is issued sub-sonic ammo to keep bullets from punching through the hull - but that won't stop them from punching holes in you!

[Char]

I'LL GET SHOT! But yes, I concur with the statement of Enigma: "nothing fatal." :)

[Sy23]

I can get shot, too, if he gets two shots off - after all, Kes is more likely to survive than most...

But not Butterfly - pleeeeeaaaassseeeeeeee......

[Char]

Sy23 has a cute lil thing going with Butterfly :3

[Sy23]

Your point being......?????? (bite)

[Char]

That it amuses the Char :3

[Azazeal849]

That's as maybe, but consider this: Butterfly has been mind-wiped and cast out of Zayas. She must have committed some pretty heinous crime to deserve that. While we obviously can't hold anything against her in her current state, when and if she gets her memory back we might not like the result...

[Enigma]

Keep in mind that Paris recognizes her too, even if she can't recognize him right now. Maybe you can ask him about it when you see him next.

[Sy23]

If she's as villainous and nasty as Az hints, her and Kes are a match made in heaven. But, actually, the thought had occurred to me... I was quite happily setting my character up for the possibility of a fall. Could make for quite an interesting twist, later on...

[Azazeal849]

"Damn them!" his lordship said, slamming a fist down on to a console. "Just how did that agent wind up on that ship? Did someone tip off the humans?"

Poor lord Vargas. It must seem to him that Daniel is rocking a permanent trollface, and for his lordship's personal benefit.

[Azazeal849]

I doubt you'd get back to your cabin, never mind the med unit, without collapsing.

It's further to the shuttle on deck 14 than the sickbay on deck 8...



"At least there's a doctor on hand, if anything goes wrong."

True, but Helen's doctorate is in neuroscience, not medicine (and certainly not Mza medicine!)

I know we need to take Char with us since he's a PC, but in the current situation doing so seems like a violation of common sense. We need some sort of extenuating circumstance to force the others to take him along.

[Sy23]

Fact is, Kes doesn't know what sort of doctor Helen is. She was brought in to examine Butterfly - so he simply assumes she's a medical doctor. And if Char went back to the sickbay, or his cabin, he'd be alone, whereas even if the way to the shuttle is longer (which Kes might not realize), there is someone on hand to assist.

However, I realize these things alone are not a plausible reason for Char to tag along... I'm racking my brains as to a better way. Any ideas, guys?

[Char]

Sorry for being an utterly useless injured giant insect... :3

[Azazeal849]

He's not even a proper insect, he's only got 4 limbs! :P

Perhaps Parker could wake up and call in all of them (including Char) as allies of Paris, thereby requiring them all to get off the ship sharpish before security arrests them? Though perhaps that's not a very good plan, as the other staff are likely to cotton on pretty quick to the fact that Parker is being controlled.

[Char]

Also, I remembered just now that we were all invited to the masquerade ball this evening at the Captain's request! A possible plot twist!

[Enigma]

Sickbay would be able to treat Char's injuries but you better make it quick!

Char - you should be coming with us shortly, but if you do somehow get left behind, Paris will show up and kidnap you. Ok?

BTW - when your race heals, does it itch for you or is there some other kind of reaction? The tears of a Wanderer are known to the Brotherhood as a powerful healing agent. It was something her race programmed into themselves when they were slaves.

[Enigma]

Funny, I haven't converted any of the nurses yet. I've still got Parker.

[Azazeal849]

Woah, hang on a minute! Char, Sy - did you just timeskip several hours? I don't think that's going to work...

For one thing the idea was that we get on Paris' ship and go NOW rather than later (Daniel will explain how in my next IC post, but Enigma also outlined the plan earlier in this thread); for another the characters have no real reason to wait for the alien they just met and do not plan to take with them; and most importantly, its not going to take hours for the security guys Parker sent after us to arrive on deck 8.

Also, from an in-character perspective, don't you think just having been shot at by a mind-controlled assassin, of which there could be any number more of aboard, would inject a certain sense of...urgency?

Basically what I'm trying to say (hopefully without sounding too offensive) is that your last posts don't really make sense.

[Sy23]

Well, for my part, I was thinking that we were all going to go straight to Paris' ship, and not worry about the sickbay (Where Kes is well known as, supposedly, a member of staff btw!) - I was shocked when he was asked to press the lift button to make the stopover, and thought you might have some plot twist in mind.

I didn't really see the timeskip as lasting hours - just long enough for Char to be treated. And for Parker's guys to reach deck 8!

However, I do take your point about Char - just what are their motivations for taking him along? Of course, OOC they have to, since he is a PC... but in the context of the story, this just doesn't make any sense. I have been wracking my brains for a plausible reason, and I'm sure OOC-Char has too. If anyone has a workable suggestion for this, and how to reconcile the wrong turning we've taken, I would be happy to edit.

Maybe Mza are good at communicating with people with wiped minds so they think he might be useful?

[Char]

Ah, I'm sorry guys. I can edit the post if needed. I just figured after being shot I would need to be knocked out for treatment. I could shorten it down to just a few minutes certainly. And Enigma, I thought that me being attacked by another one of the mind-controlled people would be a good reason for you guys to come to the rescue, so to speak. This way, we meet up again, and the situation is even more urgent than before because there's more than one mind-controlled assassin. Thus, we can hurry our butts up and get off the Scorpio! :3

[Char]

There we go guys, I just edited my last IC post so it doesn't take hours. Hope that helps, but just let me know if I need to change it any more.

[Azazeal849]

I was thinking that we were all going to go straight to Paris' ship, and not worry about the sickbay.

We were. Daniel just asked for them to stop at deck 8 so that Char could get out. Provided that the guards don't jump on them first, I was going to have Daniel answer Helen's questions and then head down to deck 14, where they can hijack Paris' ship.

That's a point - Enigma, once they detach from the Scorpio, drop back to sublight and then activate their own interspace drive, roughly how long will it take them to get to Londinium?


Where Kes is well known as, supposedly, a member of staff btw!

He can't be that well known - he only arrived on the ship this afternoon! :P


If anyone has a workable suggestion for this, and how to reconcile the wrong turning we've taken, I would be happy to edit.

Might as well go with Enigma's idea. The others leave Char to it, and when he wakes up a couple of hours later the person who comes to his rescue is...John Paris.


Maybe Mza are good at communicating with people with wiped minds so they think he might be useful?

Not a bad idea, but that's ostensibly why we're taking Kes along. :P

[Sy23]

Kes might only have worked there a few hours, but he's a hard guy to forget. The female staff that have to change their wet knickers would certainly recall him :)

And so Kes is going along for his ability to communicate with Butterfly - why not say two heads are better than one?

I'm happy to go with Enigma's idea, but it seems a bit rude to Char to cut his eponymously named character out of the main party...

[Enigma]

Char, can you edit your post so it's Parker that jumps you, not some anonymous nurse? Butterfly follows Kes into the sickbay, sparks will fly, Parker falls again but makes threats that sounds about how "He will hunt you all down", meaning Paris. Then everyone runs for the ship.

[Char]

Sounds good! I just edited the post and I think it should fit that :)

[Azazeal849]

A Mza with blood dripping from his teeth and a wounded limb

To be fair, he washed the blood off before we left sickbay...


the most handsome guy ever to wink at a lady

LOL


a woman dressed like a Christmas tree

That's not very nice...


and a guy who a three-year old could pick as a special agent.

Really?

[Sy23]

Special Diclaimer

Opinions expressed by characters in this Roleplay are not necessarily those of their creator. :kirby:

[Sy23]

(and double postings are not necessarily the creator's fault either!)

[Azazeal849]

Special Diclaimer

Opinions expressed by characters in this Roleplay are not necessarily those of their creator.

Haha obviously. My post was partly for comedy, but I did want to point out that Char will have wiped his mouth by the time they are out in the corridor. As for Daniel, he's from Londinium, every man there dresses like James Bond :P And Helen, well, we Brits pride ourselves on our mix and match (http://media1.onsugar.com/files/2012/01/01/2/192/1922564/446c0ad4ae4fb3a5_Chesley12120241-X2.jpg) fashion sense (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/6876654199_08bb2b5345_o.png). :>

[Char]

Yaaay Brits! I'm not one myself, but the UK seems like a fair place indeed :)

[Sy23]

Yeah, well I was born in Londinium - er, London actually - and I have the fashion-sense of a pot plant!!!

You're right of course, about Char having cleaned his mouth - Kes was exaggerating to make a point. But what he said does have some validity - a band like ours would find it hard to be inconspicuous. Remember this is a guy whose life has often depended upon merging into the shadows - he knows whereof he speaks!

Must say you picked some damn good pics to illustrate your point though - can't say I go much for the multi-layered cardi look, but the Asian girl in the second pic is a real honey!!!

[Azazeal849]

Hope that's all okay, Enigma (I just used my imagination when describing Paris' ship...).

[Enigma]

It's fine! And you remembered the hatch is still opened! Yay! But for you experienced spacehands, the control board for Paris' ship will have a new section that's locked that you're not familiar with. There's also a weapons console that's locked, but that's different. The interspace drive in the rear of the ship also is half again as massive as it should be for a ship that size - and these panels don't open.

I think it's time for another character to appear.

[Azazeal849]

So, if we were to launch the ship and plot a course to Londinium, how long would it take to get there with Paris' souped-up interspace drive?

[Enigma]

So, if we were to launch the ship and plot a course to Londinium, how long would it take to get there with Paris' souped-up interspace drive?

Transit will take 42 hours, then another 5 hours to get from the transition point to low orbit. Assuming you don't get flagged for a priority landing, you should be able to get clearance to land at a private space port on the edge of the capital in under an hour. Then it's a quick drive to the university. Assuming no complications.

Or someone could change the course. Santos is only 37 hours transit time, but Santos Intelligence would be wanting to talk to Paris about his current mission. Of course, as far as they know, their agent Evon DeWinger is still alive and well on board the Scorpio. He won't be officially missing on board the ship for several hours yet. Still, if they find you lot on board, you're in for questioning at the very least - including neural probe. Of course, they won't do it for reconstructive purposes. They'll just want to know what you all know - even Butterfly.

Let me know how you want to go. Lord Vargas can change the course.

[Azazeal849]

Ah, so that's who Mr DeWinger was. How are political relations between Londinium and Santos?

Daniel will be wanting to call up MI6 so they can meet him at the spaceport (and ideally shoot Kes with about 6 bass stunners as soon as he steps off the ship), but I wasn't expecting it to be that easy.

Char and Sy, where do you think we should go?

[Enigma]

Santos is a socialist republic. Officially, relationships between Santos and Londinium are strained but friendly, travel between the two worlds occurs. However, Santos and Londinium spy on each other.

Under normal circumstances, if Daniel is captured by Santos Intelligence, he could expect to be interrogated, charged with espionage, thrown into a prison cell and possibly traded for in a year. MI6 would put him in a safe house for debriefing (the interviews on the way back were just the start) and he'd spend the next year recuperating, trying to prove to everyone that he's ok and wasn't turned.

But in this case, you're in possession of the ship belonging to a notorious freelance assassin who was working with Santos Intelligence. You can find blood stains on the surfaces out of the reach of the self-cleaning nano-carpet that SIB can confirm came from their man. (they can also check the carpet's dirt traps) Other evidence can still be found in the shower and in the plumbing under the deck plates to suggest Paris killed Evon. (After all, you know he was meeting with Mr. DeWinger in his ship, yet when Daniel shot Paris, there was no sign of him.)

In this situation, very likely ship gets impounded, drive melts when they attempt to figure out what's different with it, everyone gets taken into custody, stripped searched, interrogated (Daniel & Butterfly may get neural probed, unlikely the others would), then turned over to the Londinium Embassy while announcing a dramatic rescue to all the newstapers.

Unless, of course, they find something. Like during the interrogations. Or if the Brotherhood decides to check on the well-being of the rescued crew members (which I can pretty much guarantee) and tips SIB that Butterfly's a Wanderer. Kes will have to tell me what sort of relationship he wants to have with Santos. You'd have to be pretty desperate to go after a Santos ship but sometimes among the cheap crud you'd find some military gem.

Still, up to you guys! Easy peasy to Londinium, or shall we go to Santos? Either way, you'll find out Butterfly's secret.

[Char]

Well, I don't really have any preferences for my in-character person. Looking at it practically, he just got dragged into this thing and is looking to help in any way he can, so it wouldn't really matter much to him where they went. Wherever you feel we need to go to advance the story is fine with me!

[Enigma]

Char! you're alive! yay! I was afraid we lost you! ^ _ ^

[Char]

I'm sorry Enigma! I went on a hiking trip with some friends for like 4 days, but alas I have returned :D And the RP is amazing, even more so than before!

[Enigma]

Thanks! Everybody helped! ^ _ ^

Only I've been hanging out with Nazgul, so I've got badgers I can send out to badger people. Hmm. Now I need a signature pic to go with them....

[Char]

Onward, FOR VICTORY! *victory screech*

[Sy23]

Sorry for late reply guys - was away longer than I'd anticipated.

Kes would have a pretty good relationship with the planet Santos - ie good for Kes, which means he's not actually wanted for any serious criminal charges there. He'd also have a few sontacts with the underground. Against that, of course, they don't have the medical equipment to treat Butterfly, so this could be a good test of Kes' ethics. Will he plump for safety, or doing the right thing?

[Sy23]

Sorry for late reply guys - was away longer than I'd anticipated.

Kes would have a pretty good relationship with the planet Santos - ie good for Kes, which means he's not actually wanted for any serious criminal charges there. He'd also have a few sontacts with the underground. Against that, of course, they don't have the medical equipment to treat Butterfly, so this could be a good test of Kes' ethics. Will he plump for safety, or doing the right thing?

[Azazeal849]

If Sy prefers the characters to go to Santos I'm happy with that - from a meta perspective it'll probably make for a more exciting story, plus so far Daniel's pretty much had everything go his way and it's about time someone threw a spanner in the works.

[Char]

How about if the engine fails or something, that way it forces us to land on Santos?

[Azazeal849]

Well, as Enigma said, lord Vargas has override codes for Paris' ship and can change its destination (though our guys probably won't notice until the ship drops out of interspace several hours early). And you can bet his lordship will have sent John "Shade" Paris Mk2 to Santos ahead of us...

As a bit of trivia for you, Char - if your FTL engine fails in the middle of deep space then unless someone comes to your rescue you are DEAD. It could take you literally YEARS to get to the next planet, and your food supply will run out long before that.

[Char]

I meant more that it would fail as we were close to Santos or something like that, not just getting stranded out in the middle of nowhere, lightyears away from anything of consequence :3

[Sy23]

Maybe the engine doesn't "fail" in the sense of conking out, but develops a serious fault. Maybe there are "fail-safes" built in, or even a low-powered emergency back-up source, so the ship can "limp home", albeit not on full power. In much the same way that a jet liner can lose two motors and still get safely home. It could even be that Daniel has been unable to bring the full power of the FTL in, so that it jumps out of hyperspace and they are forced to proceed under normal "non light speed" - and Santos is the nearest reachable planet. Come on guys, we can think of something, yeah?

In any case, a FTL drive is scientifically impossible - it would need more energy to run it than there is available in the universe. Even ignoramii like me know that! So, if we're going to accept a totally unscientific FTL drive, a four-legged human-sized beetle, a girl with her neuron pathways totally wiped and a space pirate with a steel skeleton, need we really draw the line at some simple coincidental mechanical glitch to further the plot?

[Azazeal849]

Come on guys, we can think of something, yeah?

Sure we can. Enigma already suggested it:


Lord Vargas can change the course.

Anyway...


In any case, a FTL drive is scientifically impossible - it would need more energy to run it than there is available in the universe. Even ignoramii like me know that!

True, or at least, true by our current understanding of science. FTL in this universe however seems to be based on nipping into another dimension where our physical speed limit doesn't apply:


These are type I dark matter engines that do not fully draw the ship into hyperspace. Instead the ship coasts on the edge, in a zone known as "Interspace." This allows for greater than normal space speeds but it's not instantaneous.

The only type II dark matter engine in human space that allows for full transition into hyperspace is mounted in Paris' ship.

The Zayans can apparently do "proper" hyperspace, and have sabotaged several human research projects to develop their own.

[Enigma]

If you're in a shipping lane and your engine dies without crushing the ship, you hope someone will detect your beacon as they flash by. Eventually a ship gets sent out to look for you.

If you're not, hope you have long-term hibernation gear. Planetfall's a long time away.

Ok! Santos it is!

EDIT: The dark panels are dynamic controls that are turned off, and apparently serve no function and won't turn on for anyone. You might think they were some sort of vanity add-in. The basic controls look fine.

[Azazeal849]

"BLOW IT UP!" Vargas screamed. "Destroy it now!"
"We can't!" the technician wailed. "They've disabled access to all the systems!"

Well thank god Kes went and pulled out that last bug...or perhaps it's Daniel's jammer that's preventing access. Either way, close call.

[Azazeal849]

Hi guys, just a quick heads-up. I'm away on holiday as of Thursday and I probably won't be posting anything until the following Tuesday; maybe add a few more days to that because my girlfriend will be staying over and, you know, priorities ;)